Can I return this just bought 2nd hand car?

Ele91

Hi all,
2 days ago I purchased my first ever car, a 2008 Toyota Yaris TR MMT, which I found at a local automatic car dealership. I checked its MOT history before buying but I didn't actually look up the car make itself. I stupidly assumed it was a typical automatic car, and the people at the dealership didn't really tell me anything about how it worked, they just let me take it for a test drive, which I just did around the trading estate rather than on roads. It seemed ok but I could only drive it about 5mph as that was the speed limit. I agreed to buy it, paid it in full and went home and bought a years insurance and tax. Afterwards I realised that MMT stood for Multimode Manual Transmission, and the reviews online for this are appalling, I feel like it would be unsafe to drive, and as a new driver I am now scared to drive it.

I know that there is a 30 day period where you can get your money back, would I be able to claim on this or is it my own fault? Or should I just drive it around and see if I have any problems? I've read about not being able to drive up hill in its automatic mode, and trouble switching between gears, and the clutch over heating and having to restart the car a number of times before it can work.

Thanks.

Billy_Bullocks

So there's nothing actually wrong with the car?

Sounds like buyers remorse, the time to do your homework was before you bought it.

Ele91

Technically no as I haven't driven it enough I haven't found problems myself - I've only read about them.

However when I went onto the Toyota recall checker it says "We have identified that your Toyota is subject to a voluntary customer service campaign or outstanding safety recall." I don't know what this recall is and this wasn't mentioned when I bought the car.

I would really just like to know my options - if I do find any of the problems, such as gears not changing in automatic mode etc is this enough to take it back?

Billy_Bullocks

Until there's a problem I wouldn't worry about it.

Ele91

Ok, thank you

wgl2014

Have a read of this post regarding how to drive your car for best results http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/108601-driving-technique-mmt/

With regards to returning the car because of something you read online, no.

Robisere

Seems there are many problems with the gearbox on this car:
http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/77303-yaris-vvt-i-automatic-gear-problems/
and:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=97184

As you will have read, it is not a true Automatic gearbox, but a Manual 'box with electromechanical actuation. There are two clutches, which are operated by an electronically-controlled linkage.

Did you ask to see a car with an automatic gearbox? Did you inform them that you can only drive a car with an automatic 'box? Take it back and tell them you have difficulty driving it, ask for your money back or another car with a proper auto 'box. Do it now, don't just drive it around and see if you have problems.

BeenThroughItAll

Robisere wrote: »

Seems there are many problems with the gearbox on this car:
http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/77303-yaris-vvt-i-automatic-gear-problems/
and:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?t=97184

As you will have read, it is not a true Automatic gearbox, but a Manual 'box with electromechanical actuation. There are two clutches, which are operated by an electronically-controlled linkage.

Did you ask to see a car with an automatic gearbox? Did you inform them that you can only drive a car with an automatic 'box? Take it back and tell them you have difficulty driving it, ask for your money back or another car with a proper auto 'box. Do it now, don't just drive it around and see if you have problems.

And hope they're feeling generous, since they're under absolutely NO obligation to give you anything back. It is, at the end of the day, a car with an automatic gearbox. The technology by which it achieves automatic gear changes is totally and utterly irrelevant.

OP, you got what you asked for - so you're on the mercy of the garage.

Ele91

Thanks for your comments everyone. I will drive it around and if there are any serious problems I'll take it back to the garage as they stated that it was in perfect working order, but otherwise I won't.

AdrianC

It's a nine year old car. There will be problems and faults. Whether you can return it or not within 30days depends entirely on whether they are faults above and beyond those you can expect from normal wear and tear in a nine year old car.

Joe_Horner

Don't be put off by stuff you see online. An awful lot of the "reviews" and comments are from people who are used to other types of auto and assume it's the car's job to meet their expectations rather than their job to adapt to a different system. They then blame the car for their own shortcomings and inability to adapt to the car they're driving.

As an (I assume) fairly new driver you won't have that problem because you'll be less set in your ways about how a car "should" behave.

We had a Mitsubishi Colt with an early MMT bx back in about 2006 and it was absolutely fine - smooth, reliable, responsive and economic - as long as you didn't expect it to act exactly like a conventional torque converter auto.

Drive it, enjoy it, and feel smug about the extra MPG you'll be getting over anyone with a traditional torque converter auto