Second hand car issues.. Opinions welcome

MediaGuy

Hi Everyone,

My wife part exchanged her car for a new one from what looked like a fairly reputable garage. We agreed a part exchange price, and a few bits and pieces, including the stamped service as it was due.

However it has all culminated in her having to be towed to the garage and dropping it off. There was oil (fresh oil) leaking out the head gasket and the thermostat had packed in.

All along the line it's been a case of "It will be ready tomorrow". Turn up tomorrow and it's the next day, and again, and again.

We finally got it back today and the thermostat issue seems to be fixed. We took it to our local garage and they questioned if the service had even been done as post gasket replacement and thermostat fix it was so dirty that even the mechanic was offended. Caps not screwed on etc.

They (our local garage) are giving it a proper once over tomorrow.

If we find issues, are we within out rights to just return it as not fit for purpose. I mean it is less than one week since we picked it up and less than 200 miles.

Also, as we part-ex'd a car, where do we stand.

If it makes any difference it was paid for on Visa debit card

Cheers

MG

AdrianC

Are you sure it was the head gasket? Failure of that doesn't usually result in "oil leaking out". Sounds more like the rocker cover gasket, which is a very quick and simple job. Changing a thermostat is often very quick and easy, too.

It clearly isn't a "new car" - so your legal expectations are tempered by the reality of age, price and mileage.

Your rights do include rejection of the car, but the supplier do have the right to attempt repair first. If your old car is no longer in their possession then they obviously can't return it, but there should be a value for it on the invoice.

forgotmyname

What car, age, mileage, price paid?