Our new Used car-warranty won't pay full repair!!

Minxz

Hi all,
I'm hoping someone here can advise us.
3 weeks ago we bought a Citroen Xsara Picasso as a new ( well, 2002 reg) family car. I had saved for ages and it took all our savings, so were pleased when it came with a 3 month warranty from Customer Protect.
Move on 2 weeks, loved driving the car but on day 14 it suddenly broke down on my way to work. I called the AA, and they said the clutch had gone- was gutted! Spoke to the trader, saying that this was bad for a car I'd owned for 2 weeks, and they just kept telling us to sort it out with the warranty people.
Cue lots of phonecalls to warranty guys- they appeared helpful, saying we were covered to the cost of £500, and they would authorize my local garage to repair the car if he phoned them, after an investigation.
So the garage ring warranty, and give a break down of costs, as it's not just the clutch, part of the gearbox has gone too! Total bill is approx £620. Warranty are now saying they will only pay £300 of this, as they are arguing with the mechanic ( who has gone by the timings book and been a reputable repairer for over 40 years) that he can do the job 3 hours faster than he's quoted, therefore are not payiong the full amount.
We have to pay the garage, then Warranty pay us, but the warranty people also want to invoice made out to them, even though they won't be paying the full amount, does this sound right?
So other half rang the dealer asking if they'd pay the difference, as car is only 2 weeks sold, and they faffed about, claiming the owner was on holiday etc, and saying they'd repair it ( not likely!).
The car is in the garage, repair has been authorized, but how to I try to sort the money? I can't afford to be £300 out of pocket :mad:
Even if they pat the £500, we still have to find another 3120 to top it up.

Can Trading Standards help- has anyone had experience with them? Are we fighting a losing battle to get the trader to help pay the difference? I know buying a used car means it may come with some faults, but not major surgery needed after 14 days!

gilbert_and_sullivan

The trader who sold you the car is responsible, but he must be given the opportunity to fix it.
You can't just get it fixed elsewhere and expect him to pick up the bill, it doesn't work like that, well you can try that but if he digs his heels in you might have to take him to small claims to get the difference, seeing as he wasn't given the opportunity to repair then it might well get found in his favour.

The warranty you have, as with almost all non manufacturer backed is only spare bog roll, there are hundreds of threads about warranties here...this authority and agreement to pay by the warranty company, is it in writing, or will they be considering the claim once submitted?

Hintza

^^^^^^ As above.

missile

I would say you are fortunate to have a bill for "only" £300.

I am very surprised warranty co. are accepting a claim for a clutch repair. That is normally excluded.