Dodgy car dealer

Charlouise

My clutch is tapping, grinding and slipping. It's currently under a 6 months warranty from 12/12/2013. I took it back to the dealer who claims there is nothing wrong with the clutch and refuses to look into it or repair it. Any advice on what to do next as my car has been sat on their forecourt for a week already?

rs65

Charlouise wrote: »

Any advice on what to do next as my car has been sat on their forecourt for a week already?

Get someone else to give you an opinion.

Strider590

They refuse to even look at it? I doubt even a truly dodgy dealer would refuse to even check for a fault...... Unless maybe they knew about a fault at point of sale, but they you should have picked that up on test drive.

I think your going to need to elaborate on this one.

Charlouise

Thanks for replies ��
When I first noticed the noises etc I called the dealer who said it sounded like the clutch was going. Took it down and they said should be repaired and ready in 2 days.
I called them back 2 days later and they said they hadn't received approval from momentum warranties but they would call them Monday and speed things up. I called the warranty company on the Monday morning who stated that the dealer hadn't put a claim in but had only supplied them with the service history.
I called the dealer who said they were waiting for the warranty company so I repeated what the warranty people said and the dealer said he would get the mechanic straight onto it to issue a claim. I later received a call from the dealer saying they had found nothing wrong whilst test driving it.
I explained my confusion as it's clearly tapping, grinding and slipping and also that it was the guy on the phone that advised me it sounded like the clutch in the first place to which he replied "I know nothing about cars and passed me onto the mechanic" the mechanic repeated what the sales boy said so I asked him should he not strip the gear box to truly see what's wrong but he says that as he can't feel or hear the tapping etc he can't do anything further and I should come for the car.
I'm hesitant to collect the car as it may invalidate my warranty if driven with a fault. I have had no success in trying to speak to the father of said sales boy who owns the garage and need my car for work in 4 days.

Charlouise

I have now sent the following message to the dealer both as text and email
.Hi
I purchased my car in December and have a 6 months warranty. I was advised by your son to bring the car in as it is rattling and tapping when the car is stationary. I was initially told you was waiting for approval from momentum warranties but when I spoke to the you had only given them the service history and not a claim. I advised your son of this and was told he would get the mechanic to look at it to issue a claim. This was on Monday and you have had the car since Thursday. I later received a call saying that you could not find anything wrong with the car but had in fact not stripped the gear box back to ascertain this but had just test driven it. Your mechanic states there's nothing wrong with the car but I beg to differ.
The problems were not evident immediately so I can actually feel and hear the difference since I purchased the car 3 months ago. I am also not deaf and can hear grinding when stationary and hear and feel tapping under the clutch pedal. This car is under warranty and you have a legal obligation to investigate my complaints in an appropriate manner and not by simply test driving it. There are clear indications that there's a problem with the clutch. Additionally to this you have a legal obligation under "the sales of goods act" to ensure that any items that you sell are in fact fit for purpose. You informed me that this car had been serviced and your son informed me that the clutch is covered by the warranty. My rights are protected by "the consumer rights act 1974"
Could you please inform me as a matter of urgency whether you are going to address these issues immediately before alternative action is taken, including but not limited to seeking legal action through a small claims court, having the work done via a reputable dealer and invoicing yourselves, reporting yourselves to the trading standards agency or itv's rogue traders or simply leaving my car outside your garage with a notice not to purchase from yourselves as you do not honour your agreements nor the rights of the consumer.
My friend shall be collecting the car this morning should I not receive a satisfactory response and further action will be taken. I ask that you honour my rights as a consumer and repair my car as a matter of urgency either via momentum warranties or at your own expense
Thank you I look forward to your prompt reply
Sent from my iPad

motorguy

what exact car is it?

It sounds like the Dual Mass (Floating) flywheel could be on its way out.

Dependant on the age / miles on the car, a clutch / flywheel related issue could be seen as fair wear and tear.

Charlouise

It's a ford focus 2005 diesel. They've now replied saying come get car nothing wrong with it ��

arcon5

Have it independently inspected and have the garage inspecting it to produce a report confirming the fault.

As above sounds like a flywheel will be needed also. If your starter motor goes soon then that's also a sign of a dodgy flywheel.

Check the wording of the warranty - should it definitely cover the clutch? If so this will make it easier pursuing a claim for breach of contract.

motorguy

arcon5 wrote: »

Have it independently inspected and have the garage inspecting it to produce a report confirming the fault.

As above sounds like a flywheel will be needed also. If your starter motor goes soon then that's also a sign of a dodgy flywheel.

Check the wording of the warranty - should it definitely cover the clutch? If so this will make it easier pursuing a claim for breach of contract.

+1

An independent inspection is going to be needed.

I dont think any warranty covers clutches as its a wear and tear item.

Nodding_Donkey

The problem is that it is very easy to destroy a clutch in very quick time by abusing it which is why most warranties don't cover them.

motorguy

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

The problem is that it is very easy to destroy a clutch in very quick time by abusing it which is why most warranties don't cover them.

Its an item that wears out over time - like brakes or an exhaust. A warranty is to cover "faults", not wear and tear items.

When you buy a used car you buy a used clutch. Its anyones guess how long it will last.