Used car issues

broke=skint

Hi All!
Just want to get other peoples opinions and to see if I am overacting or not.
I bought a little Toyota 6 months ago from a reputable dealer. A dealer which prides itself on enforcing a customer satisfaction guarantee and apparently, all of their vehicles have to pass a 120 point inspection before they are sold.

To cut a long story short, after 6 months I have noticed the exhaust is blowing and the breaks feel spongy.
I took it in to their service centre last week (it was the only convenient time as they do not open weekends and I work all day, this was my first holiday where I had time to take it in.)

At first they reported that there were no problems with the breaks, but they would give them a clean. They also said the exhaust was blowing but it wasn't faulty, therefore there was nothing they could do about it.

I asked them to take another look as I strongly felt there was something wrong with both of them. When they came back they said, no nothing they could do about the exhaust but they had actually found the break fluid was leaking and that they would replace this part and also the break pads.

The parts were not in stock so they asked if I could book the car in for another day. I expressed my reluctance to do this as I had already lost a day for this so they agree to get the parts in for the breaks the same day and requested I returned later that afternoon.

So, during my short break from them, I went to another reputable garage who examined my exhaust. They agree with me, the exhaust is blowing and I should get the back box replaced. They added that although it wasn't a serious matter, the car wasn't as efficient as it could be and therefore not as economical. They also added that within I would have no choice but to replace it within 18 months.

When I returned to the service centre, I showed them the report from the other garage. They still will not budge. They did the work on the breaks but they the Manager would need to look at the exhaust if I still wanted another opinion and I would need to book another appointment.

Before I left, I asked for details of the work done to the breaks and they told me they don't give out this information, its gets sent to their Head Office. Upon my drive home, my breaks felt no different at all, and looking at them they still look as rusty as they did before.

I sent a complaint to their Customer Service, who pretty much told me that it was the Managers decision and would need to book an appointment to see him, but they would send a copy of the work that had been done.

So, my concern is, what should I do if I book an appointment for the Manager to inspect my exhaust and he still says that they won't replace it? Do I have the right to make them change it if I am not happy with the noise it is making? Also, what if the report shows they changed the breaks pads but haven't?
Lastly, I've already lost a day, if I lose another for the manager to inspect the car, then another to wait for the parts to be in, can I ask them to compensate me for loss of earnings?

I'm at a loss with cars, I know nothing about them and I know just as little about consumer rights! Please help. :beer:

forgotmyname

You had the car 6 months and the exhaust is starting to rust. I guess the cars over 5 years old, Or you do lots of short journey's..

They all do that sir its the year you know.

BRAKES... Again you have had the car 6 months, When is/was the service due?

The brakes will look rusty. They dont replace every part just because one bit may have a leak.

I think your expecting too much and should get used to spending money on the car. They all need LOTS of money spending on them.

broke=skint

Hi, thanks for the reply.
The car is just 4 years old and yes I do quite a lot of short journeys but I am not restricted to quick trips.

I'll just clarify as there may have been too much information to fully take in last time...the exhaust isn't rusty...its blowing. It actually sounds like I have a boy racer exhaust fitted

I wouldn't expect the brakes to be replaced simply because they were rusty, I may be a woman but I know that much. The service centre told me they were replacing something to fix the break fluid leakage and that they were going to replace the break pads. Thats what they told me after I informed them that they felt spongey. I doubt I would be able to perform an emergency stop if I needed to.

Their complementary service and MOT is due in October or November.

I know cars can be expensive, I have owned one for the last 15 years, but if I have bought one from a dealership and the vehicle is covered by a 12 month warranty, aren't they still responsible for putting faulty parts right? :think:

colino

The exhaust and brakes are consumable items, brake pads/shoes could last you years, or some people months, depending on how and where they drive. The exhaust too as it is not rotten through corrosion could have been whacked off a speed bump the minute it was sold and be blowing like a trumpet.
If as you say they are a reputable dealership, they have looked at the car and dismissed the issues as outwith warranty (it would be fool who would put a car back out with potentially faulty brakes) and are putting the complaints down to wear and tear.
Ask around and find a good, honest independent and have him check the car over to put your mind at rest. It may be nothing but dealerships that give out meaningless 120 point ticksheets and then offer complementary services (that will find work you have to pay for) you shouldnt really be wasting any time with.

broke=skint

Thank you for the sound advice colino. I have already had a decent garage look at the exhaust, they said they couldn't see any damage to it which suggested something inside was causing the back box to blow (I'm not technical at all, sorry.)

I would consider myself to be a careful driver, its a 990cc Aygo, not exactly the type of car you can whizz around and mistreat and cause all of these problems within 6 months.

Maybe I should take it to another, different garage and get their opinion on the exhaust and the brakes.
The dealership I purchased the car from is one of those places who offer a basic warranty but also offer a "Whatever happens" additional cover which includes x amount of years services, which I declined.

Could I ask one more thing?
Even if parts start failing because of wear & tear, are these not usually covered by a 12 month warranty?

Thanks again!

colino

Unfortunately consumables will only be replaced under warranty if it is proved they have a manufacturing defect as opposed to being worn out.

broke=skint

Ah ok, I think I understand a little better now. Sorry for asking obvious questions!