Reject a faulty second-hand car?

fatbadger2

unholyangel wrote: »

Any friends who are mechanically minded who would be willing to take a look? The problem being there is that the dealer has the car.

What are you looking to achieve? A full refund? Or would you be happy with a repair if the price was reduced accordingly?

Ideally a refund plus the 500 quid I am out of pocket, but as regards proving the car was already faulty, that seems like a non starter - that and the fact the garage owner is a [deleted] !

fatbadger2

The garage has offered to replace the engine with a lower mileage one. This is ok except I feel that when I come to sell it the car will be worth less because of this change (I certaintly wouldn't have bought it if it had a secondhand engine in it).

So, is it reasonable to request a reduction in the sale price (ie a partial refund) to reflect this?

I haven't even got onto my costs yet !

s_b

i think they would see it as betterment
i wouldnt advise dvla of engine change number for various reasons

bod1467

You wouldn't? Or is that a typo?

mattyprice4004

fatbadger2 wrote: »

The garage has offered to replace the engine with a lower mileage one. This is ok except I feel that when I come to sell it the car will be worth less because of this change (I certaintly wouldn't have bought it if it had a secondhand engine in it).

So, is it reasonable to request a reduction in the sale price (ie a partial refund) to reflect this?

I haven't even got onto my costs yet !

You're getting something better (a newer engine) and want them to knock money off? I wouldn't bank on it.

You wouldn't have bought it if it has a secondhand engine in it? Did it have a brand new engine in when you bought it then? Nope, it was also secondhand. You're getting a newer secondhand engine, too.

I have sympathy for the situation, but feel by asking for a discount you're 'milking it' a bit. If it's had a lower mileage engine in, to me that'd be a good thing and not a bad thing.

fatbadger2

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

You're getting something better (a newer engine) and want them to knock money off? I wouldn't bank on it.

You wouldn't have bought it if it has a secondhand engine in it? Did it have a brand new engine in when you bought it then? Nope, it was also secondhand. You're getting a newer secondhand engine, too.

I have sympathy for the situation, but feel by asking for a discount you're 'milking it' a bit. If it's had a lower mileage engine in, to me that'd be a good thing and not a bad thing.

Thanks, but that isn't quite what I'm getting at. The engine may be fine, but I have no way of knowing how many miles its done or its service record, ditto the new owner when I sell it, hence lower market value. A car described as having a seconhand engine fitted will be worth less because why would anyone buy it when there are other cars with original ones? I accept the car may be technically in better condition, but that doesn't mean I haven't lost out, becasue it is now worth less - i.e. if it was advertised last month as lovely condition and has a replacement engine I and others (I think) wouldn't touch it as it sounds like an iffy unknown past. I don't want to be in a better position, just not loose out financilly thru no fault of my own.

fatbadger2

bod1467 wrote: »

You wouldn't? Or is that a typo?

I wouldn't buy a car that had had a replacement engine, given the choice between a standard one and a repaired one. Why would anyone do that, given the choice? Hence its worth less.... no?

fatbadger2

s_b wrote: »

i think they would see it as betterment
i wouldnt advise dvla of engine change number for various reasons

I don't think thats legal or moral. I wouldn't want to conceal this fact...

fatbadger2

Thnaks, but I don't think a new engine being fitted is the same as a second hand one. There are lots of audi/VW/BMWs to choose from, why would anyone buy one that has had a secondhand engine - I wouldn't, but maybe I am in minority?

BTW the garage was unable to provide evidence of the new engines mileage or service record or anything in fact so I refused to take it.

Anyway the garage has agreed to refund me less a 'useage charge' of 400 quid - which I am not impressed with but at least I get most of the money back and get to start over looking for a car.... and not high mileage audis!

thanks for all the advice

bod1467

fatbadger2 wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a car that had had a replacement engine, given the choice between a standard one and a repaired one. Why would anyone do that, given the choice? Hence its worth less.... no?

I was commenting on s b's post saying he wouldn't tell the DVLA. I was asking if THAT was a typo.