Just bought a 'dodgy' car...

terric

OK so 'dodgy' is a little harsh, it's not that bad. Basically we've just bought our first family car - a Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 dci, an ex-company car with all service history, one owner at 61k miles, which for a Diesel I thought sounded alright. We took our time buying this car, and through at least 8 dealers and as many cars, from an estate to a Citroen Grand Picasso to a Vauxhall Zafira to etc. the Renault was by far the best of the lot.

The problem - the very next day on my way to work down the M6 the engine warning light came on, first "Check injection system" then shortly later "Check anti-pollution filter", my heart sank a bit. These error codes are now what's on the dash, this has knocked off the cruise control so that doesn't work anymore. The list of issues are currently:

- Engine warning messages
- ABS light came on this morning
- Some coil indicator (which I think are the glow plugs) came on and went off a few times
- There are 3 seat-belt sensors in the back, only 2 (of the 3 connected) are registering as connected and giving annoying warnings
- The windscreen jets at the back don't work

This has got me really :mad: because the test drive and the look over all went without hitch, there's no way I could've found these issues without carrying a Renault computer around with me - ok the rear jets I could have, but it was a hot day and the car had just been pre-sale valeted so I didn't think.

Anyway, I phoned the dealer that afternoon and to be fair he was fine about it, he said "take it to *here* and they'll get it checked over", so this morning I did - but they had no idea I was coming... they took it in anyway and said they'd contact the dealer for me.

Right now we're all back to our old car - but I'm only insured on that for another 3 days, and it's due MOT and tax in about 2 weeks... I know the Sales Of Goods Act says that it must be fit-for-purpose and as advertised (which at the moment it's not) but so far the dealer is playing nice.

Basically I haven't got much time to get a working car sorted, what are my rights if the dealer stops playing nice or fixing the car takes too long (i.e. more than the 3 days I have left on insurance)?

Thanks all

getmeouttahere

terric wrote: »

OK so 'dodgy' is a little harsh, it's not that bad. Basically we've just bought our first family car - a Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 dci, an ex-company car with all service history, one owner at 61k miles, which for a Diesel I thought sounded alright. We took our time buying this car, and through at least 8 dealers and as many cars, from an estate to a Citroen Grand Picasso to a Vauxhall Zafira to etc. the Renault was by far the best of the lot.

The problem - the very next day on my way to work down the M6 the engine warning light came on, first "Check injection system" then shortly later "Check anti-pollution filter", my heart sank a bit. These error codes are now what's on the dash, this has knocked off the cruise control so that doesn't work anymore. The list of issues are currently:

- Engine warning messages
- ABS light came on this morning
- Some coil indicator (which I think are the glow plugs) came on and went off a few times
- There are 3 seat-belt sensors in the back, only 2 (of the 3 connected) are registering as connected and giving annoying warnings
- The windscreen jets at the back don't work

This has got me really :mad: because the test drive and the look over all went without hitch, there's no way I could've found these issues without carrying a Renault computer around with me - ok the rear jets I could have, but it was a hot day and the car had just been pre-sale valeted so I didn't think.

Anyway, I phoned the dealer that afternoon and to be fair he was fine about it, he said "take it to *here* and they'll get it checked over", so this morning I did - but they had no idea I was coming... they took it in anyway and said they'd contact the dealer for me.

Right now we're all back to our old car - but I'm only insured on that for another 3 days, and it's due MOT and tax in about 2 weeks... I know the Sales Of Goods Act says that it must be fit-for-purpose and as advertised (which at the moment it's not) but so far the dealer is playing nice.

Basically I haven't got much time to get a working car sorted, what are my rights if the dealer stops playing nice or fixing the car takes too long (i.e. more than the 3 days I have left on insurance)?

Thanks all

I'm not sure that the dealer has any obligation other than to fix the car to be honest. It's not their fault that your insurance on your other car runs out in 3 days.

At the moment, the dealer is doing what they are obligated to do, so I would keep on at the garage you took it to and see if they can advise how long they expect to have the car for - this will at least enable you to sort out insurance on your old car if needbe (maybe transfer your policy from the faulty car to the old car for a while?)

colino

As far as your rights go, you've done it. The trader will inspect it and repair, replace or refund.
However, why after all your checking would you buy this uxb? Why buy it when it needs an imminent MOT? And, you do know that you have to tax it straight away on taking ownership?
Lets hope it is royally shagged and he either has something less prone to multiple faults or is wise enough to refund.

terric

colino wrote: »

As far as your rights go, you've done it. The trader will inspect it and repair, replace or refund.
However, why after all your checking would you buy this uxb? Why buy it when it needs an imminent MOT? And, you do know that you have to tax it straight away on taking ownership?
Lets hope it is royally shagged and he either has something less prone to multiple faults or is wise enough to refund.

Hang on, I think you're missing something (or I haven't worded it correctly) - this NEW car came with 12 months MOT and yes I'm aware you have to tax all new cars... I'm talking about my old car, that's the one with the MOT and tax renewal due in 2 weeks, not the new car.

burlington6

terric wrote: »

Hang on, I think you're missing something (or I haven't worded it correctly) - this NEW car came with 12 months MOT and yes I'm aware you have to tax all new cars... I'm talking about my old car, that's the one with the MOT and tax renewal due in 2 weeks, not the new car.

It's not new though

terric

burlington6 wrote: »

It's not new though

Ok so the use of capitals for *new* was my mistake - I meant to imply that the car is NEW to us, not NEW to the world of cars - as opposed to my OLD car, I obviously didn't do it well.

terric

getmeouttahere wrote: »

I'm not sure that the dealer has any obligation other than to fix the car to be honest. It's not their fault that your insurance on your other car runs out in 3 days.

At the moment, the dealer is doing what they are obligated to do, so I would keep on at the garage you took it to and see if they can advise how long they expect to have the car for - this will at least enable you to sort out insurance on your old car if needbe (maybe transfer your policy from the faulty car to the old car for a while?)

I guess it's not their fault my car is only insured for another 3 days, that's fair enough. But is it not their fault that they've sold me a product that has turned out (currently) to not be fit-for-purpose? Of which a direct result of this is a personal cost to me to re-insure, re-tax and re-MOT my old car while this new (advertised in full working order) car can't be used?

I'm not kicking up a fuss at the moment, because this isn't costing me anything yet (other than time) and they've offered to look into the problem. What I'm preparing for is a scenario in which the car is needing repairs constantly or these repairs take a very long time - eventually diminishing my rights under Sales Of Goods Act and forcing the car out of warranty.

Joe_Horner

terric wrote: »

Ok so the use of capitals for *new* was my mistake - I meant to imply that the car is NEW to us, not NEW to the world of cars - as opposed to my OLD car, I obviously didn't do it well.

Don't worry, terric, there are some around here who seem to think that you should have no rights at all, and any and all faults are just tough luck, unless you buy brand new, from a main dealer, with no more than delivery mileage on the clock.

Personally I've long suspected they're either dodgy traders trying to promote that POV to avoid liabilities or main dealer salesmen trying to convince everyone that they're the only safe place to buy

As to your new car. You should give the dealer a reasonable opportunity to fix the problems (from a moral POV if nothing else) but they have to do so without undue inconvenience or cost to you (from a legal POV).

It sounds like your insurance may be the sticking point here - the two weeks fro MOT and tax should give plenty of time for them to sort it based on "no undue inconvenience" but 3 days for the insurance might be cutting it fine for them.

Once you have a diagnosis you can make plans if needed (short term insurance etc) if needed while the faults are fixed but without even a hint of how long that's inconvenient (see above).

Let them know (nicely) about the time problems you have and see if there's any way they can help out - for example, can they provide a courtesy car at least while the diagnosis is being done?


eta: And don't worry about repairs taking long enough to ut it out of warranty. You'd be relying on SOGA rights rather than the warranty if that happened and, once the fault is notified, your rights under that don't "go away" if they make failed attempts at repair.

wiltsguy_2

the dealer has agreed for the car to be looked at/repaired which is a great start, it may be wise to call him and explain that your old car will not be able to be driven on the road legally in 3 days and could he possibly provide a courtesy car from then on if your's is not repaired?

you sound like you want to keep the new car and why shouldn't you if it gets repaired! warning lights do tend to frighten a lot of people but they rarely mean the car is broken-too many sensors and Renaults do suffer electrical gremlins. Im sure the dealer wants it fixed as much as you do, just remain civil and ask for updates and a record of the work carried out

terric

Thanks Joe Horner and wiltsguy - wasn't sure I'd get a helpful reply after a few semantic warriors jumped in at the start, appreciate it.

We do want to keep the car, and we fully appreciate things like this happen with used cars, but we took a long time choosing this one because we really couldn't afford to make a mistake. I don't think anything serious is wrong as the car functions mechanically fine - it's just the electronics scream warnings at us, which is a bit worrying.

I'm just mentally arming myself for any arguments that may arise further down the line - *hopefully* it'll be plain sailing and the dealer will get it sorted, in a reasonable amount of time, without issues. Will let you know what happens.

Joe_Horner

Please do report back, especially if its a good outcome. Everyone seems quick to post about problem sellers but it's rare anyone bothers when things go right - this place could do with a little balance at times!

eta: It also looks like you're approaching it realistically and fairly, which is far better than going in screaming your "rights", so it might be a good lesson for some if you get a successful outcome