AA and Dekra issues - my rights?

takksi

Hi all, I wish to get some guidance on my issue. I bought an approved used car (not mentioning the brand here as I it is out of scope). I asked the dealer whether I could do an AA inspection and we agreed.

The dealer mentioned that the car had a problem with the aircon (some noise) and that they would fix it before the AA inspection is scheduled.

The AA inspection was carried out and the reports was all green (including the air conditioner). I bought the car based on this inspection's results without seeing the car because I live in Malta. The dealer shipped the car to me in a couple of days and when the car arrived the air conditioner was not working.

I contacted the AA saying that they had noted that the air conditioner was working when it was not, and they redirected me to a company called Dekra (who I understand from some research I have done online, are subcontracted by the AA for this kind of work).

In turn, Dekra told me that the engineer is not obliged to test the air conditioner, but just checks whether it switches on and off. Clearly, checking if it switches on means testing that cold air comes out of it. So then they changed their version and said that they checked that cool air was coming out.

I requested a refund of the comprehensive inspection (that cost me £305) and Dekra are bouncing off anything I say and practically saying that I am saying rubbish. I have been exchanging emails with this company for quite a few days and they are shrugging me off. They also had the guts to tell me that since my car is approved I have the used car warranty and I can claim the repairs under that warranty.

My issue is not whether I can claim my repairs under warranty but that I asked AA to perform an inspection for me and they gave false results.

I would appreciate your advice on this and how I can proceed with regards to getting a refund back for the erroneous inspection that they did.

Thanks

wealdroam

takksi wrote: »

Hi all, I wish to get some guidance on my issue. I bought an approved used car (not mentioning the brand here as I it is out of scope). I asked the dealer whether I could do an AA inspection and we agreed.

The dealer mentioned that the car had a problem with the aircon (some noise) and that they would fix it before the AA inspection is scheduled.

The AA inspection was carried out and the reports was all green (including the air conditioner). I bought the car based on this inspection's results without seeing the car because I live in Malta. The dealer shipped the car to me in a couple of days and when the car arrived the air conditioner was not working.

I contacted the AA saying that they had noted that the air conditioner was working when it was not, and they redirected me to a company called Dekra (who I understand from some research I have done online, are subcontracted by the AA for this kind of work).

In turn, Dekra told me that the engineer is not obliged to test the air conditioner, but just checks whether it switches on and off. Clearly, checking if it switches on means testing that cold air comes out of it. So then they changed their version and said that they checked that cool air was coming out.

I requested a refund of the comprehensive inspection (that cost me £305) and Dekra are bouncing off anything I say and practically saying that I am saying rubbish. I have been exchanging emails with this company for quite a few days and they are shrugging me off. They also had the guts to tell me that since my car is approved I have the used car warranty and I can claim the repairs under that warranty.

My issue is not whether I can claim my repairs under warranty but that I asked AA to perform an inspection for me and they gave false results.

I would appreciate your advice on this and how I can proceed with regards to getting a refund back for the erroneous inspection that they did.

Thanks

Take the car back to the dealer and get a full refund.
You have thirty days to do that under The Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Yes, I have noted that you are in Malta.

The_AA_Company_Representative

takksi wrote: »

Hi all, I wish to get some guidance on my issue. I bought an approved used car (not mentioning the brand here as I it is out of scope). I asked the dealer whether I could do an AA inspection and we agreed.

The dealer mentioned that the car had a problem with the aircon (some noise) and that they would fix it before the AA inspection is scheduled.

The AA inspection was carried out and the reports was all green (including the air conditioner). I bought the car based on this inspection's results without seeing the car because I live in Malta. The dealer shipped the car to me in a couple of days and when the car arrived the air conditioner was not working.

I contacted the AA saying that they had noted that the air conditioner was working when it was not, and they redirected me to a company called Dekra (who I understand from some research I have done online, are subcontracted by the AA for this kind of work).

In turn, Dekra told me that the engineer is not obliged to test the air conditioner, but just checks whether it switches on and off. Clearly, checking if it switches on means testing that cold air comes out of it. So then they changed their version and said that they checked that cool air was coming out.

I requested a refund of the comprehensive inspection (that cost me £305) and Dekra are bouncing off anything I say and practically saying that I am saying rubbish. I have been exchanging emails with this company for quite a few days and they are shrugging me off. They also had the guts to tell me that since my car is approved I have the used car warranty and I can claim the repairs under that warranty.

My issue is not whether I can claim my repairs under warranty but that I asked AA to perform an inspection for me and they gave false results.

I would appreciate your advice on this and how I can proceed with regards to getting a refund back for the erroneous inspection that they did.

Thanks

Hello, we'd be happy to investigate this for you. Please email your details to chat@theaa.com with reference number FOR185063 and we'll have someone contact you to discuss this. Thank you

pinkshoes

takksi wrote: »

The dealer mentioned that the car had a problem with the aircon (some noise) and that they would fix it before the AA inspection is scheduled.

I can take a good guess what has happened...

The air con unit has a leak, so the dealer regassed it (rather than fixing it) before the AA inspection.

The AA checked the aircon was working, and indeed it was, as it had just been regassed.

By the time it reached you, all the gas had leaked out again.

The dealer should have carried out a leak dye test to establish if there eas a leak. Ask them what they did to fix it.

You might need to pay for a leak dye test yourself to prove the dealer didn't fix it. These can often be done very cheaply.