Air Conditioning

AdrianC

pinkshoes wrote: »

I just feel a little peeved at being sold a car with aircon that doesn't work properly.

Worth remembering at this point that you've now owned the car for closing on half it's life.

pinkshoes

Just thought I would update this thread...

Having taken this car back to the dealer repeatedly (6 times in 3 years) with air conditioning not working, I took it back again in July. This time they wanted me to bring it back 2 weeks later after the dye had been put in, and they FINALLY diagnosed what was wrong with it - leaking condenser and compressor! They could not tell my why they didn't ask me to come back 2 weeks later on previous times I had returned the car, as this would have been sorted shortly after purchase! Perhaps they knew what was wrong and were hoping that I would go away...?

They told me it would cost me £1300 to get it fixed.

I argued the SOGA with them (as I had persistently taken car back with same fault since purchase), but they refused.

I looked through my paperwork, and sure enough had it in writing that car was faulty from purchase, and had evidence that they had paid for all re-gassing and diagnostics, so sent them a LBA.

I also phoned their headquarters to complain, who took my side once they had seen the evidence.

After the LBA and headquarters intervention, they had a change of tune and have now FINALLY fixed my car.

(not before me booking this appointment weeks ago, me leaving car with them, then 2.5 hours later being phoned and told they didn't have the part!!).

Clearly I will NEVER be returning my car to this incompetent garage EVER again (unless the aircon fails again shortly...).

My advice is not to be scared to take on a large car dealership if a car you purchased is faulty, even if they have fobbed you off for years.

Iceweasel

Good for you pinkshoes - a great result - better late than never.

But can I suggest that you make every effort to use the air con as much as possible.

I never switch mine off - air-con + heat means dry air and no steamed up windows.

If anything you benefit from AC more during the Winter than in a UK Summer.

Most ACs develop leaks due to lack of use more than anything else.

buglawton

Regarding the old chestnut of seals drying out if you don't use the aircon all winter:
It's about time car manufacturers put an auto aircon recycle system in, that every so often runs the aircon for you in cold weather. Or at least flashes a light/makes an announcement through your audio system to tell you to do it.

If a diesel particulates filter can be purged on an auto cycle then that's not rocket science.

pinkshoes

I always leave the aircon switched on, so it'll be on the hot setting in winter to de-mist the windscreen!

It is so nice to finally get a result, so I really hope it is now all sorted!

Next step is seeing if my new pram will fit, otherwise I will (very reluctantly) have to sell my lovely car for something bigger - grrrrrr.