I rejected car, do I have to pay recovery costs ?

he1en_2

Hello
I bought a 03 Mercedes Vaneo 3 weeks ago from what seems like a very reasonable dealer.

I just stopped at Halfords to transfer my "brakes for life" and it broke down there!
Halfords took a quick look and said "serious"... electrics failure and moving engine mount.
The dealer said he would refund repairs but I have rejected the car which he also accepted. He wants me to pay for him to recover the car (from Oxford to Croyden). I am not sure if I have to or if it is his responsibility ??

Also I had hand controls fitted as I need them to drive, will this affect my refund ?????

Thanks for any advice

gilbert_and_sullivan

I have no idea about the responsibility of recovery aspect.

What's a serious electrics failure, a blown fuse they can't find, flat battery due to alternator brushes worn, or a blown ECU.

Halfords is not the place i would expect a meaningful diagnosis of a cars electrical system fault, and one mans version of a worn engine mount might be completely different from someone who knows the marque well.

I'd get someone competent, such as a make specialist indy to look at the car, but if you're intent on rejecting maybe your recovery breakdown cover might recover to the garage of your choice for repair, ie the one in Croydon.

You might also find that the Croydon dealer isn't quite so forthcoming about refund if they find its a simple fix, if fitting the hand controls means there are holes and chunks cut out of the dash or upholstery i can't see them being too chuffed.

vaio

If you have successfully rejected it then all reasonable consequential costs get picked up by the seller.

This would certainly include getting the car back to him and any extra costs to do with removing & refitting the hand controls

Kingsd316

Since when did halfords do diagnostic checks? get a second opinion first

mattyprice4004

Diagnosed by Halfords? It's 2nd opinion time!

he1en_2

hi

Halfords didn't do a proper diagnostic, he was just being helpful as I had broken down, went to see if he could do anything. He didn't offer to do repairs or anything so I don't think they were trying to rip me off.
The car had been playing up, slowing down when I accelerated and the lights on the dashboard had disappeared. It was booked in to a independent mercedes garage tomorrow. I was already worried about it.
The dealer said if this garage couldn't fix my breakdown then he would fix it. But I don't trust his fixing if my garage would've said it wasn't worth it.
So it seems safer to reject it and start again... even though I have lost what I paid for the hand controls to be fitted.

vaio

he1en wrote: »

.......So it seems safer to reject it and start again... even though I have lost what I paid for the hand controls to be fitted.

see post #3

dacouch

Was it purchased as a private consumer or was it purchased by a business?

vaio

I'm assuming private, and given the need for hand controls, that the dealer knew they were going to be fitted

he1en_2

Hi; Yes I am private and he also knew I was going to get hand controls as that was one of the considerations for me in collecting the car from him. He delivered the car to me.

he1en_2

I am thinking that it was an essential modification for me and I bought the car expecting it to be roadworthy as the car is in excellent condition and has only done 29000 miles with one previous lady owner.

So I am thinking that as it is a necessary adaptation for me on what seemed a decent car I shouldn't lose on what I paid him only 3 weeks ago. Plus I have only added about 30 miles to it.