Clutch gone - used car warranty?

SimplySound

Hi,

I bought a car a few months ago from a dealer and the clutch and/or related components seem to have given up as it now requires a lot of effort to shift through the gears with the clutch pedal all the way down.

I spoke to the dealer and they reckon its the clutch. They then said, as its a 'wear & tear' component its not covered by the warranty.

Surely they have to take some responsibility for it?

Ok, maybe not for the clutch disc itself, but I reckon it will also need a new slave cylinder, release bearing and possibly master cylinder. Would I at least be able to get them to contribute towards those parts?

Sales of goods act states a used vehicle should be fit for purpose etc. Well regardless of how its been treated by previous owners, a car sold by a dealer 'should', in principle, function correctly for a greater amount of time surely?

forgotmyname

They wont contribute to parts that are not faulty.

If they do replace the clutch they will probably just stick a new or even used clutch plate in. And thats all you can expect really.

If you plan on keeping the car then i would just get the parts replaced myself.

If your happy with a cheap fix then contact the seller and push them saying 2 months and 2000 miles is not enough even allowing for wear and tear.

Although i do know someone that could burn a new clutch out in that amount of miles.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Of course the dealer is responsible, and don't let them try and fob you off with the 'wear and tear' excuse. If they don't play ball, then your next stop is the Trading Standards Department of your local council.

Or you could just park outside their premises with a large sign in the windscreen pointing out what is happening.

LandyAndy

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Of course the dealer is responsible, and don't let them try and fob you off with the 'wear and tear' excuse. If they don't play ball, then your next stop is the Trading Standards Department of your local council.

Or you could just park outside their premises with a large sign in the windscreen pointing out what is happening.

It could say.


'I wore my clutch out and expect this chap to pay'

Foxy-Stoat_3

SimplySound wrote: »

The clutch and/or related components seem to have given up as it now requires a lot of effort to shift through the gears with the clutch pedal all the way down.

Ok, maybe not for the clutch disc itself, but I reckon it will also need a new slave cylinder, release bearing and possibly master cylinder. Would I at least be able to get them to contribute towards those parts?

How do you know you need a new slave and master cylinder?

Release bearing will be replaced with the new clutch.

What car is it?

Are you sure its not just low on hydraulic fluid or the selector cables?

SimplySound

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

How do you know you need a new slave and master cylinder?

Release bearing will be replaced with the new clutch.

What car is it?

Are you sure its not just low on hydraulic fluid or the selector cables?

It's making a rattling noise when ever I press down on the clutch, which would indicate the release bearing has gone.

Release bearing is part of the slave cylinder on my car, and can therefore not be replaced separately.

forgotmyname

They will only replace the faulty item. So you may end up buying a new clutch yourself later anyway.

If thats 9 months down the line do you leave the newish slave cylinder in there or replace it again?

motorguy

SimplySound wrote: »

Hi,

I bought a car two months ago from a dealer and have since done 2000 miles.
The clutch and/or related components seem to have given up as it now requires a lot of effort to shift through the gears with the clutch pedal all the way down.

I spoke to the dealer and they reckon its the clutch. They then instantly tried to cover themselves by claiming as its a 'wear & tear' component its not covered by their 3 month warranty.

Surely they have to take some responsibility for it?

Ok, maybe not for the clutch disc itself, but I reckon it will also need a new slave cylinder, release bearing and possibly master cylinder. Would I at least be able to get them to contribute towards those parts?

Sales of goods act states a used vehicle should be fit for purpose etc. Well regardless of how its been treated by previous owners, a car sold by a dealer 'should', in principle, function correctly for a greater amount of time surely?

This is what infuriates me about car dealers and shops/retailers in general; they'll act all friendly and such to get you to part with your hard earned, but as soon as there's a problem they deny any liability and don't want to know!

Depends on age, miles and price paid for the car, but the dealer could be quite correct that its wear and tear.

Why do you think it also needs new slave cylinder, release bearing and possibly master cylinder?

motorguy

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Of course the dealer is responsible, and don't let them try and fob you off with the 'wear and tear' excuse. If they don't play ball, then your next stop is the Trading Standards Department of your local council.

... who'll tell you a clutch is wear and tear. SOGA covers FAULTS. Its unlikely this is a fault.

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Or you could just park outside their premises with a large sign in the windscreen pointing out what is happening.

Saying "I have unrealistic expections of a used car"?

motorguy

SimplySound wrote: »

It's making a rattling noise when ever I press down on the clutch, which would indicate the release bearing has gone.

Release bearing is part of the slave cylinder on a fiesta, and can therefore not be replaced separately.

I don't know for certain a new master cylinder will be needed as well as, but these things seem to all go at the same time.

It's almost done 60k, so the clutch would have been on its last legs when I bought it surely?

It sounds like normal wear on tear on a used car, which a dealer is not liable for.

colino

Is it new, or is it 2000 miles with you and a handful of boy racers beforehand? Certainly if it was a dreaded dmf that had rattled and shrieked since you picked it up but the trader did nothing, sue him. If on the other hand it is a conservatively priced, middle-aged car it is a wear and tear item, so time to get your purse out.