Waiting for dealer to fix the car - how long is long enough?

marc58

Hi all,

I went to look at a used Audi A3 last friday, had a good inspection and took it for a test drive. We immediately noticed that the 'econ' light on the climate control system stayed lit after starting the car which indicates there is a fault. We notified the dealer of this and they said "Oh it probably just needs topping up, we will get that sorted for you." Other than that I was completely happy with the car, it has a full service history and looks immaculate (almost 10 years old). I decided to part with a £500 deposit and 6 month warranty then leave the car for them to fix the problem, if they couldn't they promised that all of my money would be refunded.

Anyway they said it should be ready on Tuesday and they would give me a call. Waited until Tuesday evening and no call, I contacted them and they said it's in the garage try calling after midday on Wednesday. Did what they said and this time they said we have an air con specialist looking at it now, should be ready to collect tomorrow so we will call you. Still not heard anything from them today and I just feel like asking for my money back now and going elsewhere. Am I in a position to do that? I have the feeling they will just fob me off with another excuse to buy more time and I don't want to risk buying something that has a big problem that they are just patching up.

Thanks

marc58

I had a call from the dealer earlier to say the problem was fixed and it was ready to collect. Went down there and they said the car is still at the garage we will have it in 10-15 minutes. Eventually it arrived and I said I wanted to test it again before anything, guess what? Still no cold air and the light is constantly on indicating a fault. They tried to say it will take a few days for it to work because it's just been 'regassed'.

I said I was not confident about the car and what they were telling me so I asked for my deposit back. They said they can't because they will take it to another garage and get it fixed for me?

I really don't want to wait and see if they can fix it I want my money back now :mad:

warehouse

I'd suggest going in to demand your money back at their busiest time, which would probably be a Saturday afternoon. Don't leave without it.

marc58

The only other option they are giving me is to use the deposit I've paid for another vehicle on their forecourt, either that or wait until the one I wanted is fixed!

arcon5

If they are willing to repair air con on a 10 year old car and its otherwise a good runner and looks good then personally I'd begrudgingly wait

EdGasket

If aircon is working, it never needs a 'few days to work'; they are telling you fibs. I expect they hoped a cheap regass would fix it and it hasn't. Could be expensive to sort out.

DUTR

marc58 wrote: »

Hi all,

I went to look at a used Audi A3 last friday, had a good inspection and took it for a test drive. We immediately noticed that the 'econ' light on the climate control system stayed lit after starting the car which indicates there is a fault. We notified the dealer of this and they said "Oh it probably just needs topping up, we will get that sorted for you." Other than that I was completely happy with the car, it has a full service history and looks immaculate (almost 10 years old). I decided to part with a £500 deposit and 6 month warranty then leave the car for them to fix the problem, if they couldn't they promised that all of my money would be refunded.

Anyway they said it should be ready on Tuesday and they would give me a call. Waited until Tuesday evening and no call, I contacted them and they said it's in the garage try calling after midday on Wednesday. Did what they said and this time they said we have an air con specialist looking at it now, should be ready to collect tomorrow so we will call you. Still not heard anything from them today and I just feel like asking for my money back now and going elsewhere. Am I in a position to do that? I have the feeling they will just fob me off with another excuse to buy more time and I don't want to risk buying something that has a big problem that they are just patching up.

Thanks

No it doesn't, read the manual.
The econ light is on, unless you turn the air con system off.

neilmcl

DUTR wrote: »

No it doesn't, read the manual.
The econ light is on, unless you turn the air con system off.

No, the Eco light/indication is on, unless you switch it to Auto.

marc58

DUTR wrote: »

No it doesn't, read the manual.
The econ light is on, unless you turn the air con system off.

Sorry I meant to say the econ button stays lit no matter what you do, we tried turning the air con off but it's still lit. Reading on various forums I think the high pressure sensor might need replacing and then regas the system, I told the dealer this but now he's not really listening at all. Seems more keen for me to take another car from the forecourt or let him repair it his own way by taking it to another garage. Still no budge on the option of a refund though, do you think trading standards could help me at all?

marc58

Ok yesterday I went to chat with the dealer and ended up buying the car, with the assurance that the air con can be fixed under the warranty. I asked him to write this on the invoice too (air con to be fixed under warranty) in case they try to dispute this. I have a feeling that the problem was too big for the dealer to fix, maybe a new compressor which could be upwards of £500.


It may seem like a silly question but where will the money come from to fix this? I only paid £300 for the warranty but it looks like it will cost a lot more than that?

EcoR1

It won't come from anywhere. The warranty company will claim it's a pre-existing fault and not their problem. The dealer will fob you off forever.