dodgey 2nd hand car

lora1026

hi after some advice


I purchased a 2nd hand car from a dealership and after 50miles the car had an engine management fault. I contacted the seller and was advised to get it plugged in and see what the fault was it turned out to be a glow plug issue. The seller advised me to get it booked in which I did, the mechanic advised that it wasn't a simple job and potentially an expensive fix as the glow plugs were seized and could snap. I advised him to put the car back together so I could return it to the seller. The seller spoke to the mechanic direct and advised him to do the repair as it would be no different then the sellers mechanic doing it. The repair was carried out in part but one glow plug could not be removed. The mechanic contacted the seller and advised. At this stage I spoke to the seller and requested a refund to which he advised that I could return the car. The goal post was then moved when I was meant to return it as he offered a repair to which I was dubious as he said that the car could be run on 3 plugs and the warning light over-ridden!! Obviously I didn't agree to this and he backed tracked and said that he would get the work done and I could have it independently checked. So as I waited for the day of return the car has now had an electrical fault and is totally un-drivable!! I have spoken to the seller again and he is not going to refund I starting to think its personal!! as he said he would refund on two occasions.
any advice welcome has anyone ever pursued something like this through the county court?
thanks

atrixblue.-MFR-.

start putting it in writing and send via signed for delivery (someone told me to put an empty match box in a brown bag with the letter so they so actually sign for it and not refuse delivery of it) give him 14 days to respond. then send another with another 14 days grace to respond but head it in letter before action. If your rejecting it you make it plain and why you are and remind of the verbal agreement Twice of it in a letter. if then no response, then onto county court, where you maybe offered mediation between yourselves to sort it out of court, if that fails it will be heard before a judge to decide.


Do not drive it. once you reject it no longer belongs to you, be clear that they can collect it upon refund.

forgotmyname

The glowplugs only help it to start in cold conditions. Most common rail engines will start without them anyway.

You dont mention having issues starting the car, Just the engine light on when driving. I wonder if the diagnosed it correctly?

Once its running the glowplugs go out after a set period depending on the temperature.

I have my doubts about the glowplugs being an issue in the first place.

Get the car back to the seller if your not happy with it.

lora1026

We have had another email from the dealer offering a further repair my problem now is that the car is I can not drive the car and he is 50 miles away. Also lost all faith cos of be whole bypass the problem quote. Am I right in thinking that because he has offered a repair
I have to go with it? Thanks

arcon5

When did you buy it

Brooker_Dave

Glowplugs are a wear item, so rejecting a used car based on the fact it needs some new plugs might be mission impossible.

How much was the car and when did you buy it?

AdrianC

Brooker_Dave wrote: »

Glowplugs are a wear item, so rejecting a used car based on the fact it needs some new plugs might be mission impossible.

How much was the car and when did you buy it?

This.

You say you can't drive the car, but why? As has been said, glow plugs are not just a consumable, but are solely a cold-start aid - and the car will start with three very happily. I've got a four-pot diesel here, pre-common rail so in much greater need of glow, which still starts happily on just two.

The fact that the supplier is fifty miles from where you live, or where you chose to get the car repaired with his agreement, is not the supplier's problem.

Yes, the supplier does have a legal right to repair before your right to a rejection kicks in.

The seized plug CAN be removed and changed, but it will be a more involved job. With the right equipment and skills, though, it's not going to be TOO huge an expense. There are mobile specialists who will come to the garage, or even your house, and do the job.

forgotmyname

Glowplugs are a minor issue, I dont think that was the original problem. But you have not given more facts so unable to say more.

Did the car start OK? From your first post i assumed it was driving along when the fault light came on?

If thats the case it wont be the glowplugs.

lora1026

We have had the car for 25 days of which 13 it has been unusable either in the garage or not drivable The main 120 slow blow
Fuse has blown so no dash, lights or steering etc so can not drive 50 miles for a repair as not road legal. The issue isn't the glow plugs we know that's wear and tear but not after 50 miles surely?! Paid £2900 on a 55 plate starts fine it was and engine management warning light that highlighted the issue. Just feel that we have paid top
Money for a car that needed a lot of work u can get the same car for a lot less like £2500??!! Thanks

AdrianC

lora1026 wrote: »

The issue isn't the glow plugs we know that's wear and tear but not after 50 miles surely?!

Except they haven't failed after fifty miles, they've failed after nine years.

As for the rest of the issues - yes, it does sound like the car is a duff 'un, but that's the first you've mentioned of any of those.

forgotmyname

It starts fine so it wasnt the glowplugs. The garage have misdiagnosed it and have probably blown the fuse messing with the glowplugs.

Its a 9 / 10 year old car and you need to look at it as if you bought it from new, Would you expect to have to replace the glowplugs by now and the answer to that is yes 9/10 years is a good age for them. £10 or £12 each and an hours labour.

Unlikely all of them will have failed at the same time also.

You can always get something cheaper. But a car thats been neglected and not serviced in many years and it will be dirt cheap to buy. But you may spend more money bringing it upto scratch.

Get the car towed back to the dealer if its not driveable. I wouldnt get the garage that did the plugs to do anymore work on it.