Car finance signed - still don't have the car

ryry92

Hi there,

I was hoping for some advice on where I stand in regards to taking out car finance and still not actually been able to collect the vehicle.

I applied for finance for a used vehicle coming up to a month ago now, as I wasn't sure I would be accepted and was just testing the water.

The garage got in touch and confirmed that they had found a company that would offer me finance, and everything should of gone through within 2 - 3 days and I would be able to collect my car.

I verbally accepted the finance, and as the car was at a reasonable price and everything looked in perfect order to quote the dealer 'there is nothing that will put you off buying this car once you see it'. Now as I live 50+ miles away from the dealership, (foolishly) I agreed to go ahead with the finance without seeing it given that the car sounded to be mint.

I received all of my documents through the post on the 18th of Feb, spoke to the garage and they told me to sign, scan and email them everything so they could get the ball rolling with the finance company - I was reluctant as I hadn't seen the car and thought the signing of documents would be done at the garage, but excitement got the better of me and I sent back completed documents on the 19th Feb.

Around a couple of days later the car was apparently ready for collection but the wipers had an intermittent fault so the car had been taken to an auto electrician for it sorting and there would be a delay of a few days. Fair enough. But it is now 11th March, I am chasing both the garage and auto electrician almost daily and everytime I ring there is a different excuse as to why the car isn't ready for collection.

My question is do I have the right to take back the finance and go to another dealer and put it down on a different vehicle as the funds have already been deposited to the garage, or am I stuck waiting indefinitely until this car is eventually ready? I am obviously now out of the 14 day right to withdraw period.

Apologies for the long winded-ness I just wanted to be as detailed as possible

bigadaj

You are largely stuck with it, you could also post on the motoring board for more advice.

The only real comeback you have on the car is the sale of goods act, however the garage has the chance to repair any problems with the car. It's never a good idea to buy a car a long way from you for this reason as it's a real hassle. Reasonable opportunity for the garage is normally three times in terms of repairs, at which point you can reject it and ask for your many back.

They should be fixing it more quickly than you say, continue to chase them as it shouldn't take more than a few days. Quote soga, ie sale of goods act, in terms Of your complaint and chasing and at least they know you have the right to reject the car if they don't sort it.

chanz4

Not stuck with it as not signed on trade premises

disco.stu

chanz4 wrote: »

Not stuck with it as not signed on trade premises

Correct. This is why most main dealers won't sign finance docs off-site or e-mail/post them.

ryry92

chanz4 wrote: »

Not stuck with it as not signed on trade premises

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I have spoken to the auto electrician both yesterday and today, they have advised me that the reason it's taken so long is they have now ordered 6 new different parts and are at a complete loss as to where the fault lies. He says he is going to give it one more go tomorrow and then liaise with the dealer as they have already gone over budget on repairs for the sale still be a profit to the dealer.

If it's going to take any longer I'm going to go down the route of rejecting the car and requesting they refund the money paid to them back to the finance company so I can go elsewhere.

How would I go about doing this if I need to mention that it was signed for off premises?

Paul_the_Painter

I would also contract the finance company directly. They are jointly and severally liable for the product (car)

ryry92

Just thought I'd update for anyone else in a similar position - I contacted the finance company and they contacted the garage, who initially refused to unwind the deal. I persevered, put everything that had happened in writing to the finance company - I got a reply two days later agreeing to cancel the entire finance agreement. I have since been able to go to a 'proper' main dealer and get finance on a newer car with less than half the APR that these jokers had offered! Success!

jonesMUFCforever

Very important keep all the paperwork just in case.