Second Hand Car, Rights from Dealer

timjohnstone

I bought a second-hand car from a reputable dealer in mid-February 2013. It's proved costly and the latest fault I want the dealer to sort.

Whilst the car did have a valid MOT, I didn't see the previous MOT fault report until ALL of the paperwork was handed over after sale. It reported worn disks and pads all round, some play in a suspension arm and a rattling from the engine at idle speed. I didn't pick up any of these things myself in test-drives.

Since owning the car I've had to replace all disks and pads in the first couple of weeks, and the upper suspension arm (at my own cost, at another garage). Recently the other suspension arm has developed a fault, so that's being sorted now, also by me at another garage. The engine rattle at idle speeds has now been diagnosed as a fault injector, and that will cost another £3-400.

It's this last item that's taken things too far - I don't mind paying for a little wear and tear even though the car was sold as having just had a full service and in good condition. But this latest one I want to contest since it was reported on the MOT warnings at the time of sale.

The car was sold with 3 months warranty. That's expired - I'm now at about 5 months of ownership. So the dealer wants to charge me if they replace the injector.

I paid for a portion of the car on Credit Card, and the majority on finance.

What rights do I have - does the 3-month limit on their warranty mean anything? Can I go to my credit card provider? What should I do first, to get the best response?

Regards
Tim Johnstone

Strider590

When you say the "previous report", had all the fault mysteriously/conveniently disappeared from the latest one?

MOT done by a dealer at time of sale, often isn't worth the paper it's printed on.

OddballJamie

There's the SOGA which is suppose to cover upto six months, but I can't see it helping in your case as by having the previous work done and driving for five months you've accepted the car.

For future purchases, MOT histories are available to check online for free. https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history-vehicle

timjohnstone

The MOT has multiple pages - I was aware of the front-page that showed a valid MOT was recently issued for the vehicle, before I bought it.

What I didn't see/get until after I bought the car was the backing sheets of MOT warnings.

OddballJamie

What's the age and mileage?

timjohnstone

Thanks for your reply Jamie. I knew I could find out whether a car had a valid MOT or not online, but I didn't realise you could view the entire history so I'll learn that for future!

And you're probably right about accepting the faults by my actions. It's difficult to not use a car when you've only just bought it, and I knew that complaining about brakes to the dealer was going to get me nowhere because they're a wear-and-tear item. So I just got on and replaced them paying for it myself.

I'll investigate "SOGA" anyway.

timjohnstone

'07 reg. 98k miles.

OddballJamie

I know what you mean. Supposedly if there's a big issue after buying a car you should stop using it and officially reject the car. Very difficult to do if it's your only mode of transport.

eschaton

timjohnstone wrote: »

'07 reg. 98k miles.

The mileage says it all. You should really have asked to see the full MOT before buying or had an inspection done.

The previous owner has probably got shot of it as a lot of bills were coming up.

mattyprice4004

You needed to give the dealer chance to fix the other first, so you can safely forget claiming for anything else other than the injector.

Injectors are known to wear, so how far you'll get with that is anyone's guess.

fivetide

eschaton wrote: »

The mileage says it all. You should really have asked to see the full MOT before buying or had an inspection done.

The previous owner has probably got shot of it as a lot of bills were coming up.

Whilst that's true it doesn't really help the OP.

Why not push the dealer to fit the part for free and you pay for the item? could be a decent compromise if he gets scared about a SOGA request.

Certianly sounds like a pre-existing condition which they should cover but time and the miles on the car are against you.

It isn't a beemer is it?