Fiat Punto Dynamic 16V 2005

Diamond78

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to see if anyone could offer some advice please.

I purchased the above car end of March this year from a car dealer. It came with 3 months warranty. Dealer said any problems what so ever the warranty would cover.

He reassured me everything was in working order and the next service was due October.

Within a few weeks the car alerted me to an gearbox failure. I looked up as much info to see what and why it was but currently switching broadband so have only got mobile to use.

Anyway followed the advice and contacted dealerwarrantydirect. Initially I was told to find an approved garage specialising in automatics, up to £60 p hour. I was given no other info. All I had was a printout of the warranty document. There was no details of anything else. I called and visited lots of garages but none were able to deal with auto gearbox. I contacted warranty again and asked for their approved garages. The two they told me only manuals. At this time it was Easter and I was worried about driving too far with that flashing and beeping message.

Eventually I contacted the dealer explaining the difficulties and asking for his help. I called them again and the warranty worker explained the only garage was out of London, over two hour drive. I refused to drive the car that distance as from what I read if you get that warning, it's not good to drive the car. They agreed the garage would collect the car. But I would be liable for the costs including the pick up and drop off. He said if the problem was covered under warranty then I wouldn't pay. So I said I was not told or given any info as to what is covered and T&C. So if it was just a lightbulb or electrical I would have to pay. I refused an agreed to find a garage in which if I did have to pay then I'd know the cost ect.

I had no idea about diagnostics until I read up about it. I found a garage and indeed it was an lightbulb thing.

Because I felt uneasy about the car, I put it in for a service. When collecting the mechanic asked why I had just purchased the car in the state it was in. Baffled I asked what he meant. He opened the bonnet an showed me the part where the wipers connect. Both ends had been tapped and he said it was a very bad botched up job. He also said the car had an oil leak and would need checking every week.

I was so upset. I didn't even notice that before. I immediately contacted the car dealer, explaining and asked for either refund, trade or him repairing it. He ignored my messages and calls until I told him I was coming down. He didn't believe me when I told him so he told me to take the car to his when he had his mechanic friend was there. Days later after asking him again, he messages saying for me to leave the car at his and collect it when it was done. I replied saying I wanted to be there when looking.

Off I went an showed him. He looked genuinely shocked. They undid the tape and reused it to tighten. He said he was going to order the part and fix it. He said he couldn't see any leak. Off I went. Days went, weeks passed no news. I messaged again. So from the 29th April up until last week, I sent another message politely asking for an update. He ignored every message.

Using my phone I managed to get info on writing a letter. I requested a refund within 14 days. Sent it recorded delivery. Two days later he text to say sorry and that the part was really difficult to find and order but it had been done. That was last week. This morning I wrote another letter as I don't want him to repair it. I want my money back as the car will not pass the mot in October. Oh and the car had not been serviced in nearly two years.

Just before posting the letter, he text to say that I could take the car in as the repair kit had arrived.

What do I do? I need the car daily to take my son to school and pick him up. I have to for his own personal safety due to bullies. I've hardly used the car.

Sorry for the long writing and for any spelling errors. It's hard using my phone and the signals not good.

One more thing is a repair kit different to a part? Thanks in advance.

chrisw

So the car had a faulty light bulb and a broken wiper linkage? He's offered to repair it and you want your money back??

1. Take it in to have the wipers repaired- it's a common problem,
2. You should be checking the oil every week anyway. But if it was leaking enough to need topping up every week, you would know about it as there would be a pool of oil where it was parked and oil all over the engine compartment. A small leak can be lived with otherwise fairly easy to get fixed.