Urgent Advice Needed (Bought vehicle)

phey708

Dear all,

I have recently purchased a vehicle from a dealership less than a week ago (6 days). It is an Audi A4 Avant (55) with 70,000 miles on the clock.

It was advertised as having climate control, and upon being sold the car, I was told that it has recently had a timing belt done and a service, however when later checking the book there is no evidence of said stamp or timing belt receipts etc.

I have also found that the climate control starts of warm and gradually blows out cool air when you drive it for 20 minutes, and they are suggesting that this is because the water pump needs replacing. As well as this, they are now saying that the timing belt also needs changing and have said that it hasn't been changed prior to the purchase of the vehicle.

On top of this, the air conditioning isn't working and they have said to me that I basically need to pay to get it regassed at my expense, however I am not confident that this will solve the issue as neither myself or them have any tools to measure the pressure on the AC unit.

Should I have to foot the bill to fix the A/C (climate control) dispite it being advertised as having it, or should they be liable for the cost? Because of the water pump needing to be replaced and the timing belt not been done (dispite being sold to me as having it done), can I return the car as I have only owned it for less than a week?

Many Thanks,
phey708

Edit: Forgot to mention that they want to charge me for the timing belt

DigForVictory

Check with the Citizens Advice Bureau:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/consumer_problems_with_the_car_you_bought_e/the_car_you_bought_is_faulty.htm
It isn't a 7 day thing, so you have time to research more & be excruciatingly clear with the dealer.
I'd take an observer (in their own car) to bolster your position & slightly out psych the dealer!

Iceweasel

Sorry I can't help you very much other than informing you that the water pump can in no way affect the Climate Control/AC.

If someone says it can, please post their explanation as I would like very much to read it.

It sound like the AC system need to be refilled - perhaps owing to a leak due to lack of use/standing idle for some time.

maninthestreet

The climate control blowing warm, then cold after 20 minutes of driving may be perfectly normal. If you turn the temperature up high when it starts blowing cold, does it then start blowing warm?

spacey2012

What you were told is hear say.
What is written down on receipts or contracts is correct.
The timing belt will be a service issue and should have been done at the service intervals.
It will be due when the service interval suggests it in the service book.
So if you want the belt changing prematurely or precautionary, it will be down to you to pay for.

forgotmyname

Sometimes there wont be any paperwork to say the belt was done. When they said recently. How recently.

Weeks/ Months / Years recently or 1,000's of miles recently?

Waterpump being changed because the clime control may or may not be working properly? New one on me.

Sometimes they recommend changing waterpumps when doing the timing belt. Some people do and some don't. If you dont and the pump and it starts to leak then they usually recommend a new belt again.

phey708

Increasing the blower does not increase the heat, and it is cooler at lower speeds. Even at motorway speeds, it does not feel like its blowing 28c despite it saying it on the climate control.

As for the A/C and other history that they lied about, can I get rid even though I have owned the car for under a week?

spacey2012

Are you running the heater with the Air conditioning on ?
If so it wont work until right until the fluid is topped up.
They have not used gas for years, it's a fluid that comes in a pump despenser and attaches under the wheel arch, it can be done yourself for around £15

phey708

The problem is that I can't turn the A/C on as the button (ECON) stays lit every time I press it which is preventing the A/C switching on. Having read around, the reason why this is happening is because there is a fault with the unit, and I am not sure if a re-gas would solve it.

I don't want to pay £50 to re-gas it only to find that it is not the pressure but another issue. Besides, having just bought the car advertised as having climate control, I would expect them to resolve this issue which they are not willing to do.

Will this fall under the SOGA as not fit for purpose or not as advertised?

spacey2012

This may sound odd, but is there unusual amounts of water coming from the exhaust on start up and is the water level dropping slightly ?

phey708

I've not noticed any water from exhaust, and I have not had any warning lights on the dash. I would have to check the coolant level tomorrow in the light.