Fixing a car - what is reasonable?

[Deleted User]

I bought a used car (Focus from this thread) and it is great to drive but has a few little problems - one electrical, two are bodywork related.

The dealership has been a bit awkward in terms of getting these things sorted, claiming it's a used car not a new one and some issues are to be expected.

But they did say the car would be "as new" as it was only 6 months old with 8000 miles. It was ordered in from a different dealership for me. I wouldn't have agreed to that had they not assured me of its condition.

So, I pointed out the problems upon viewing the car, the salesman was annoyed but they did agree to sort the problems out. I spoke with a mechanic from a local independent garage who thought I was being reasonable in pointing out the problems, given the age and condition.

The issue is that they are not calling me back and not contacting me. When I contact them, emails are ignored or calls are not returned. I called and managed to speak with the salesman who asked if I would like to return the car and try a different one or upgrade to a higher spec... but that seems like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer.

They are only minor problems but I just wondered what you think would be reasonable... how long should I allow for them to sort these things?

lincroft1710

What exactly are the problems?

Robisere

What model/year is your Focus? I had a Titanium 1.6 Auto in 2011, brand new from Motability and the last of the old model. There were quite a few problems with it, but the worst was electrical. The windscreen wipe/wash system became totally inoperative, I replaced 3 blown fuses and they blew immediately. Took it back and it took 3 days just to find the fault. Luckily, the Service Manager was a mate of my son and called me to see the problem. The wiring loom to the rear wipe/wash had been laid incorrectly at manufacture, it was not in the harness it should have been in, it was laid across a raised weld which had shorted out the wiring. Apparently there were quite a few problems with the Focus during that time, manufacture was haphazard for some reason. The carpets in mine began to lose fibres when vacuuming them, the vac was stuffed with it. I have had many Fords over the years and this was the worst - engine problems, one brake disc cracked, lights going out. I now have an 18 month old C-Max, no problems at all and drives like a dream.

Buying cars is a lottery!

jimjames

urbankoala wrote: »

But they did say the car would be "as new" as it was only 6 months old with 8000 miles. It was ordered in from a different dealership for me. I wouldn't have agreed to that had they not assured me of its condition.

6 months old I'd expect the car to be as new unless there was a significant reduction in value to take account of it.

My 15 year old car has no major faults so I certainly wouldn't expect them on a 6 month old car.

[Deleted User]

Thanks - so I wasn't being unreasonable and it just shows that you can't trust sales staff... if their mouths are open... they're lying!! :rotfl:

The bodywork problems are a deep scratch to the front bumper and an obvious scrape to the forwards-facing face of the left wing mirror. I felt these were not acceptable for a car of this age but the sales guy claimed he's never had a customer raise an issue before (yeah right).

The electrical issue relates to the radio. When the headlights go on, the radio switches off and the backlights to the centre console don't work.

parking_question_chap

You buy a car without seeing it and then complain it isnt what you were expecting, after putting your faith in a salesperson....

I have no sympathy whatsover.

Maybe next time you considering buying a new car, you might to choose one you can physically look at!??

Good grief!

scotsbob

If you handed over your money before the faults were fixed, then with hindsight, you may consider that to have been an error of judgement

[Deleted User]

They agreed to fix the bodywork problems, in writing, before the vehicle was paid for. The electrical issue was only found afterwards.

People buy new cars all the time without viewing them first. Do you set up camp at the factory to follow yours as it's being built?!

bazster

If you have their agreement in writing to fix the bodywork issues then you may have to resort to sending them a Letter Before Claim i.e. a formal warning that you will bring a case against them in the County Court if they don't honour this.

As for the electrical issue, do you have it in writing that they said the car would be as new? What about a warranty? If this is a main dealer it would be normal for used cars to come with some kind of warranty. If so then, again, you might have to threaten them with court to get them to honour it.

Although, come to think of it, if the car is only 6 months' old it's still under the manufacturer's warranty. Have you asked Ford to fix the electrical problem?

bazster

urbankoala wrote: »

People buy new cars all the time without viewing them first. Do you set up camp at the factory to follow yours as it's being built?!

But this isn't a new car.

parking_question_chap

urbankoala wrote: »

People buy new cars all the time without viewing them first. Do you set up camp at the factory to follow yours as it's being built?!

Buying a new car is totally different and you know it.