Mk5 Astra Power Steering Leak

n15h

Hi all, I recently purchased my first car (3rd Nov. 2015) from a private trader. I had taken the car for a test drive and found no concerns with the car. The trader told me that apart from the cosmetic damage (the car is 11 years old), there was nothing wrong with the car. As part of the sale, the trader provided an engine & gearbox warranty for 30 days.

The car's last service took place at 52K miles. The trader did not offer a service option and considering that the mileage was getting close to 65K miles, I chose to get a full service done separately at another garage.

I got a full service yesterday (16 Nov. 2015) and was told there is a slight power steering leak from offside front steering gaiter. The mechanic said the fluid was low and he had topped it up but the leak needs to be fixed. He told me this could cause the car to fail its MOT (due in Feb 2016).

I have informed the trader today (17 Nov. 2015) of the fault but all he says is to keep an eye on the fluid level.

I'd like to know what my rights are in this situation and whether I should be responsible for getting this fixed or if it is the trader's responsibility to repair this fault?

The car in question is a 2004 (54 reg) Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXI model (Mk5).

Any suggestions / guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

foxy-stoat

If it was a private sale then the car and any problems would be your responsibility, as it was from a trader then ask them to rectify the fault at their cost.

Your original post stated a private sale, your edited post was a private trader, which is it?

BeenThroughItAll

There's no such thing as a 'private trader'.


Either the seller was a private seller, in which case this is really your problem, or they were a trade seller, in which case you may have some comeback - although the chances of getting much for a 11yo, ~2K Astra are probably not great, and could be a lot of effort...

n15h

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

There's no such thing as a 'private trader'.


Either the seller was a private seller, in which case this is really your problem, or they were a trade seller

Thanks, it is a trade seller.

dannyrst

Reply to their latest correspondence stating that as the fluid has been identified as leaking, you fail to see how keeping an eye on the level will resolve that issue and require them to take action to fix the leak.

EdGasket

Oh boy; who'd want to be a trader these days!

I've had cars with power steering leaks; just keep topping up and wipe off the rack before the MoT; one passed 8 years on the trot like that. You'll have to see if it is slight or major. It's a bit unreasonable to expect a trader to fix a slight leak. The car is 11 years old; it isn't going to be perfect in every respect.

chrisw

If you get no joy from the garage and you have nothing to lose, I've used power steering stop leak stuff successfully in the past.

n15h

EdGasket wrote: »

I've had cars with power steering leaks; just keep topping up and wipe off the rack before the MoT; one passed 8 years on the trot like that. You'll have to see if it is slight or major. It's a bit unreasonable to expect a trader to fix a slight leak. The car is 11 years old; it isn't going to be perfect in every respect.

Thanks, I wouldn't expect the dealer to fix every little detail and I acknowledge the car is not going to be perfect. I feel however, that he should have had the car checked prior to putting it for sale so both buyer / seller would know there is an issue with power steering. I don't see how constantly topping up the fluid will be a permanent fix.


If I choose to sell the car in future, I would at least have the courtesy to inform the buyer that the P/S needs work, but I reckon this will probably cause concern to the buyer. That's why I think the trader should have let me know - I could have then factored this in instead of only finding out after I took the car for a service.