Used car, 52 days of probs later timing belt shredded (help)

Tunalc

My first post, I'm new to the forum world so I hope I'm doing this right.
I have a problem with a used car, Peugeot 206 (53) Auto (73700mi now 74200mi), I bought some weeks back and need help/advise. Car bought with 6months warranty. This might be a long post but I'll try to keep it to the point. So the timeline is as follows;

[*]20th May 2014 - bought car after viewing 2 days before (paid £200 deposit with debit card and £1790 on credit card).

[*]24th May - on the drive to Heathrow (60miles away)the car started hesitating when changing gears, it's automatic so when it went to change gears there was a slight jolt and when I went to merge, it would get up to speed and had to take foot off accelerator and try again. On the way back, the engine warning light came on. Called the dealer as soon as I got home and he told me to go to their trusted garage.

[*]27th May - took car to garage, couldn't take it soon as it was Bank holiday weekend. Mechanic said he plugged it into computer and it was something to do with the catalytic converter not processing the carbon as quickly so he put a solution in the fuel tank and if the warning came back on he would change the converter.

[*]12 June -strange cracking/speaking noise coming from car when driving around town but nothing on the motorway. Called dealer and said to take it to same garage. They could find anything so asked me to leave it overnight if noise persists.

[*]23 June - noise starts to get worse and took to garage and left it overnight. Picked it up the next day and said they did something to callipers but should be fine.

[*]9th July - driving back from a town 20miles away, doing 50mi/hr, car just dies, no engine function warning light everywhere. Managed to push it to safety. I called dealer straight away and he said to take it to garage. Got towed to the garage. Got a call the next day from mechanic saying the timing belt was shredded. Gave them warranty details, they stripped the car to find cause.

[*]Called dealer next day to voice my concerns about the car problems and how I felt the car had become unsafe over the time I had it. He said buying a used car was "luck of the draw" whether I paid £200 or £2000 for it. I was speechless. So I told him I was calling him to let him know my concerns about a purchase I made and will wait for the garage to get back.

14th July - Turns out belt was worn out and should have been changed last November the latest or flagged at last service in Jan 2013, the mechanic said. Warranty company won't pay as it's because of "wear and tear". Garage want £560. I called the dealer at 2:15pm to discuss this and as soon as I mentioned timing belt, he said he was with a customer and to call him at 6pm. Asked if I could call him earlier as I have lectures (working fulltime, studying part-time) he said I can try. Mechanic called at 4:10pm saying they spoke to dealer and he'll pay £300 if I pay £260. So I told them I need to talk to dealer first. Called dealer 4:20pm, no answer, 5pm, no answer, 5:30pm, no answer, 6pm no answer.

At the time I bought the car, I test drove it and seemed fine, the dealer said it was a good runner and it was rare to find an small auto in such good condition. Spoke to my brother who says I can do a charge back. Can I do this? Is it my only option? Do I have to pay the £260, am I liable? Can you help please. Thank you

arcon5

Chargeback - doubt it. That's not what they are designed for.

What is the service schedule for timing belt?
Anything in the service history about it having previously been changed?

The 75k for example and never been changed it'll likely be wear and tear as opposed to a fault. And if that's the case their contribution could well be seen as reasonable.

What exactly is the quote for? Has the belt actually gone? If not then quote sounds excessive. If it has then I'm assuming this is for an engine rebuild?

His comment about pot luck isn't very professional but in fairness is a fair comment. They are just machines at the end of the day where anything can happen at anytime.

tiger.uk

When you bought the car did you ask whether the timing belt was changed/when it was due? Did it mention it in the service history and did it have FSH? Was the car sold with any sort of inspection?

Cambelt would be considered a wear and tear item, but if it was sold to you with FSH/evidence of the belt being changed you could have grounds for a chargeback. I guess there is nothing preventing you filing a chargeback anyway, but I would speak to the dealer again first.

Tunalc

Thank you for getting back.
There was no mention of a cambelt change in the service history. When I viewed the car, the man said it was a good runner in very good condition. It didn't come with any inspection, I have seen 8 cars over 3 weeks and test drove 4 of them and finally decided on this one.
The garage said the belt broke that's why the car just came to a stop in the middle of the road. They said they have stripped it down to find the cause so the quote is to replace the belt and put it all together.
With all these problems I've had with it from the 4th day, I feel like my paying £260 is rather excessive. The charge was based on the overall condition of the car. At this rate, I doubt it will make it to the end of the year and I don't want to have to keep shelling money out and the dealer isn't really helping when he chooses not to answer my calls. I just don't know how to proceed...

tiger.uk

To be fair if the cambelt has never been changed it was definitely due on both age and mileage. Whilst the dealer possibly could/should have changed the cambelt before putting it on sale, if he hasn't lied about the cambelt being changed then he hasn't technically done anything wrong. Ideally you would have used it as a haggling point or made sure the dealer changed it before you purchased.

I do understand that it is annoying having to shell out for repairs and you are worried about future possible bills, but I guess this is to be expected to an extent on a £2k 10 year old car that has covered 74k miles. I'd imagine the £260 cost is around what you would pay for a cambelt change anyway (as it has snapped it is often the case that the repair bill will be bigger).

Has the dealer paid for all of the repairs up to now? If you are really unhappy with the car you could try rejecting the car as unfit for purpose, although you would need to go through the courts to do this. The credit card route is an option (you are well protected under section 75) but I would try and negotiate with the dealer first as he has been co-operative to an extent.

You could try saying to the dealer that you was under the impression the cambelt would have been changed before putting it for sale given the age/mileage and therefore you feel it is only fair that the cost of the cambelt covered and see what he says. You could mention about thinking about rejecting the car/talking to your credit card company but if you get his back up he may not negotiate at all.

Tunalc

Oh well, I guess I'm left with no choice but to pay the £260.
Thank you for your help