Should I let this guy off the hook? Legal issue

ptrichardson

Bit of a long one this, so I'll try to be brief.

I bought a motorhome a few weeks back, but when I drove it home, it started to overheat - it only does this on long runs and only when you keep it to full throttle for more than 10minutes.

I returned the vehicle the next day, and got my money back - which is good.
Strangely though, after giving me the money back, the bloke from the dealership clearly said that he didn't believe there was really a problem with the van at all and that I'd just "fell out with it".

To me, that indicated that he'd try to sell it without attempting to fix the issue, so I thought that I would try to warn people about it by putting a video on Youtube showing the van overheating.

If you google FE51 UOK, its the first hit.


I've had a letter this morning stating (amongst others) the 2 following points:

1 - Running at 75% heat after operating at full load for more than 30 mins is "more than acceptable and within the operating limits"

2 - I had no right to use the registration number as I'm not the legal owner of the vehicle and to remove the video as it has cost them a sale.


So it went to 75%, I'm sure it shouldn't do that. Especially a completely unloaded motorhome when it was 5C in early January. What would it be like in Summer, with all our stuff in it!

Also, surely I was the legal owner of the vehicle at the time I took that video?


He's threatening solicitors etc, but I feel the video serves a right and correct purpose until they fix it.

What do you good folks think?

motorguy

ptrichardson wrote: »

Bit of a long one this, so I'll try to be brief.

I bought a motorhome a few weeks back, but when I drove it home, it started to overheat - it only does this on long runs and only when you keep it to full throttle for more than 10minutes.

I returned the vehicle the next day, and got my money back - which is good.
Strangely though, after giving me the money back, the bloke from the dealership clearly said that he didn't believe there was really a problem with the van at all and that I'd just "fell out with it".

To me, that indicated that he'd try to sell it without attempting to fix the issue, so I thought that I would try to warn people about it by putting a video on Youtube showing the van overheating.

If you google FE51 UOK, its the first hit.


I've had a letter this morning stating (amongst others) the 2 following points:

1 - Running at 75% heat after operating at full load for more than 30 mins is "more than acceptable and within the operating limits"

2 - I had no right to use the registration number as I'm not the legal owner of the vehicle and to remove the video as it has cost them a sale.


So it went to 75%, I'm sure it shouldn't do that. Especially a completely unloaded motorhome when it was 5C in early January. What would it be like in Summer, with all our stuff in it!

Also, surely I was the legal owner of the vehicle at the time I took that video?


He's threatening solicitors etc, but I feel the video serves a right and correct purpose until they fix it.

What do you good folks think?

Count yourself lucky you got your money back so easily and move on.

If theres genuinely a fault, the next prospective purchaser will find it quickly anyway.

fivetide

ptrichardson wrote: »

Bit of a long one this, so I'll try to be brief.

I bought a motorhome a few weeks back, but when I drove it home, it started to overheat - it only does this on long runs and only when you keep it to full throttle for more than 10minutes.

I returned the vehicle the next day, and got my money back - which is good.
Strangely though, after giving me the money back, the bloke from the dealership clearly said that he didn't believe there was really a problem with the van at all and that I'd just "fell out with it".

To me, that indicated that he'd try to sell it without attempting to fix the issue, so I thought that I would try to warn people about it by putting a video on Youtube showing the van overheating.

If you google FE51 UOK, its the first hit.


I've had a letter this morning stating (amongst others) the 2 following points:

1 - Running at 75% heat after operating at full load for more than 30 mins is "more than acceptable and within the operating limits"

2 - I had no right to use the registration number as I'm not the legal owner of the vehicle and to remove the video as it has cost them a sale.


So it went to 75%, I'm sure it shouldn't do that. Especially a completely unloaded motorhome when it was 5C in early January. What would it be like in Summer, with all our stuff in it!

Also, surely I was the legal owner of the vehicle at the time I took that video?


He's threatening solicitors etc, but I feel the video serves a right and correct purpose until they fix it.

What do you good folks think?

It doesn't matter you have used the registration. The van is on public roads and can be filmed as such.

You've done a good thing. The main issue is if it is meant to run at that temp. Try a camping forum.

Also, perhaps have a chat with Trading Standards as you are only trying to do a decent thing.

You were lucky getting your money back so easily it seems and you should be applauded for not wanting someone else, who might not have your knowledge or bravery picking up a potential dodgy motor.

ptrichardson

motorguy wrote: »

Count yourself lucky you got your money back so easily and move on.

If theres genuinely a fault, the next prospective purchaser will find it quickly anyway.

I had to fight them very hard to get my money back. Thankfully I paid by credit card (deliberately) so I had protection too.

That's the thing, the motorhome is in Kendal, and I'm the other side of the county, it wasn't until I hit the big roads that the fault showed up.

Someone buying it locally wouldn't see the problem, possibly until spring when they actually travelled somewhere other than on local roads.


Unless there is a consensus on here that I've done nothing wrong, I probably will pull the video, I don't need the hassle right now (my employers just went into administration, so got plenty on my plate right now), but I just think I should do the "right" thing.

fivetide

ptrichardson wrote: »

I had to fight them very hard to get my money back. Thankfully I paid by credit card (deliberately) so I had protection too.

That's the thing, the motorhome is in Kendal, and I'm the other side of the county, it wasn't until I hit the big roads that the fault showed up.

Someone buying it locally wouldn't see the problem, possibly until spring when they actually travelled somewhere other than on local roads.


Unless there is a consensus on here that I've done nothing wrong, I probably will pull the video, I don't need the hassle right now (my employers just went into administration, so got plenty on my plate right now), but I just think I should do the "right" thing.

You've done nothing wrong. I would send your 'evidence' to Trading Standards, they might have had other complaints so this could allow them to follow up with the guy.

After that, don't worry too much. Given your circumstances you'll have done as much as anyone could expect. Well done on not wanting someone else to get scammed.)

motorguy

ptrichardson wrote: »

Unless there is a consensus on here that I've done nothing wrong, I probably will pull the video, I don't need the hassle right now (my employers just went into administration, so got plenty on my plate right now), but I just think I should do the "right" thing.

Bit of a tough one.

Maybe worth ringing trading standards, but i doubt they will do very much.

But if you have other stresses....

maninthestreet

As you haven't mentioned the name of dealer in the video or it's description, and seem to have kept to facts, I can't see the dealer in question has a leg to stand on. In summer temperatures, that vehicle is going to overheat badly....

EDIT: Looks like it's a common fault, easily rectified though:

http://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-problems/11713-fiaty-ducato-over-heating.html

colino

Frankly as you've now got your money back, you have no idea what has happened to the van since so if I were the dealer I'd certainly have the hump and be going down the legal route.
You mention in youtube that the fuel gauge was inaccurate. Temp and fuel gauges generally share electrical stabilisation circuitry. Don't you think the temp. gauge might be misreading too?
I think you've dodged a bullet though. Ducatos/Expresses always appeared to have cracked heads if they were run as delivery vans full most of the time (just like a motorhome, always carrying its heavy gear). I also seem to remember they had a probably unique trick of pumping the sump oil out of the dipstick tube if you used them as heavy, motorway trunkers!

ptrichardson

colino wrote: »

Frankly as you've now got your money back, you have no idea what has happened to the van since so if I were the dealer I'd certainly have the hump and be going down the legal route.
You mention in youtube that the fuel gauge was inaccurate. Temp and fuel guages generally share electrical stabilisation circuitry. Don't you think the temp. guage might be misreading too?
I think you've dodged a bullet though. Ducatos/Expresses always appeared to have cracked heads if they were run as delivery vans full most of the time (just like a motorhome, always carrying its heavy gear). I also seem to remember they had a probably unique trick of pumping the sump oil out of the dipstick tube if you used them as heavy, motorway trunkers!

Actually, the letter they sent advised that they have fixed the fuel gague issue "a very minor problem with the fuel float that caused the gauge to stick".


Edit: Also, the letter states 2 things with regard to the fault, somewhat confusingly.

1 - 75% is normal on full throttle. - Its not!
2 - They couldn't find the fault

It certainly hasn't been fixed, one way or another.



For the time-being, I've edited the description of the video.

Hintza

Was it overheating or the gauge reading high?

From what you have said it would appear you have just used the gauge to decide.

ptrichardson

Hintza wrote: »

Was it overheating or the gauge reading high?

From what you have said it would appear you have just used the gauge to decide.

Correct, I didn't actually physically inspect it.

The gauge only rose on absolutely full throttle though, if I backed off just a tiny bit, it fell again.

I wouldn't have thought a faulty gauge would be affected in such a way. Could be wrong, though.

Anyway, the actual issue with the van is moot - I've returned it and they claim that either it doesnt matter, or that it doesn't happen. It does, whichever of the 2 they want to chose!