Evans Halshaw used car woes

danjones

We purchased an 3 month old ex demo Fiesta zetec s from Evans Halshaw in April. Since then it's been back and forth to the dealer 5 times as it keeps coming out of gear.we have covered around 3000 miles in the car since purchase.

They have had it in again this week, this time for a few days but they now think the clutch/pressure plate is worn. They have said that if this is down to driver error we will be liable for the full £900 replacement parts and labour cost.

I have spoken to Evans Halshaw head office and they have said the same. We have covered very little mileage in the car and owned it for less than 5 months so I'm gobsmacked that they could be asking us to pay.

I'm considering rejecting the car as the fault has been present since we owned the car. What are my options in this case? Any advice appreciated.

arcon5

Hmmm
It's rare for a clutch to cause this.

More like faulty gearbox or the balls the lock the stick in the gear stick mechanism. Usually though the former.

I'd be looking at taking it elsewhere for a second opinion - in writing. Then take that back to them.

DoaM

Bear in mind that the Consumer Rights Act mandates that within 6 months from purchase then any fault is deemed inherent and the retailer must prove otherwise. (Them simply saying so isn't proof).

The CRA also says that you had the right to reject the vehicle after one repair attempt ... my understanding is that you still have this right even after 4 or 5 repair attempts. As it is within 6 months then you're entitled to a full refund.

danjones

Wonderful thank you. I'll go about rejecting the car today, we have lost all confidence in it sadly. Think evans halshaw will be a nightmare to deal with based on our current experience . I also thought it was highly unusual for the clutch to cause all these issues.

vansboy

There are 'well known' clutch issues with slightly earler than your Ford.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/64199/looking-to-buy-a-latest-model-focus---have-the-clutch-issues-been-addressed-

If you look through some of the posts in there, you will possibly find something similar to yours.

The dealer will have then sold you a car with knowledge of a POTENTIAL issue.

VB

arcon5

That links not even closely related to ops fault!

tim9966

Try another Ford dealer. You can take it to any Ford dealer for warranty work when the cars under 3 years old / 60,000 miles.

danjones

We have decided to reject the car and send recorded letters to the dealership and the finance company. We have stopped using the vehicle, should we wait for them to send us correspondence before leaving the car at a dealership?

Strider590

This is the reason ex-demo isn't the great deal that everyone bangs on about. Basically ex-demo should be renamed "daily hack for sales staff to thrash the crap out of or lend to relatives to do the same".

Paradigm

Can someone explain how a faulty clutch can cause jumping out of gear?