Faulty Catalytic Converter - refusing refund

Nodding_Donkey

What company did you buy it from?

Horizon81

AdrianC wrote: »

What car is it? Unless it's something (fairly unusual unless very recent) with a post-cat oxygen sensor, then the cat won't "cause" the light to come on. But the cat could very easily and quickly be killed by a fault which has caused the light to come on. What fault code was stored?

Not true. The pre cat sensor takes a reading of the gases, and the post cat sensor takes a reading. If the readings are too close, then the P0420 error code comes up (under threshold). An aftermarket cat (which isn't as effective as the original) can therefore "cause" the engine light to come on.

nobbysn*ts

whistler wrote: »

Hi,

I recently purchased a catalytic converter on line which arrived on Tuesday 27th May but was unable to get it fitted until the following week as I was awaiting another part and had work commitments. It was confirmed that the part was the correct one for my car by the advisor so I don't think that's the problem. However, the catalytic converter was faulty and caused the ECU light to come on (confirmed by a garage which also reported that it failed the emissions test as a result of the faulty cat). This cost £49.99. As the part was fitted to the car outside 7 days (I had no way of knowing that it was faulty until after it was fitted), they are refusing to issue a refund.

Initially they told me I had to send them the old one and then they would issue a new one but I complained that this would cause me undue inconvenience (i.e. having to have the part removed, not being able to drive my car during this time and then having to get it replaced). Now they are saying that I have to buy a new one - so that would mean paying for the delivery all over again - and then send the other one back. The garage advised that the part was of insufficient quality though so I don't want another one - I just want my money back

I looked at the Sale of Goods Act and it seems to suggest that you have a reasonable period of time to demand a refund for a faulty item and also demand recompense for costs incurred. I've drafted this letter to send to them - does this seem appropriate? Given the circumstances am I entitled to a refund or at least reimbursement of costs?

Did you pay by credit card? If you did, simply start a charge back. Advise the credit card company the part supplied was faulty, and you're happy to hang onto it until the supplier picks it up.

AdrianC

Horizon81 wrote: »

AdrianC wrote: »

What car is it? Unless it's something (fairly unusual unless very recent) with a post-cat oxygen sensor, then the cat won't "cause" the light to come on.

Not true. The pre cat sensor takes a reading of the gases, and the post cat sensor takes a reading.

Y'see the bit where I said "unless it has a post-cat sensor"...?

colino

OP, while your garage may be as good as gold, why should the cat manufacturer believe them? They could just as easily have misfitted the new cat and thrown up the emission light and the cat might be absolutely OK. Hard for a distance selling parts organisation to make profits if it mailed out another new part or supplied a refund on the say so of a third party.

arcon5

So basically they've offered a remedy but you refuse to return the part for them to verify your claims.