recently bough a car, need help and advice

sindii_2

what should i write in this letter and how should i word it. Should it be aggressive ie im going to do this ie contact trading standards etc if you don't fix it etc?

sallysaver

Hi,
I really feel for you in your situation. When you write to them, keep the letter brief and to the point. Do not write a 6 page letter when 1 page will do. If you keep things in perspective in the 1st letter, it generally brings a better response than writing in an aggressive way (although I realise you are extremely upset) Give them one more chance to attend to things.
Something along these lines might help:-
Dear Sirs,

You will see from your records that on 10th September, 2007 I purchased a Volkswagen Polo 1.4l, registration number AB53 CDE.
As you are aware, it has proved to be unsatisfactory and not fit for the purpose it was intended. Listed below are the faults I would like rectifying:-
1. 2. 3 (and so on)
As the vehicle is required on a daily basis for my work, I would appreciate a)an early reply and b) a courtesy vehicle whilst this one is being repaired.
I hope this gives you some sort of basis to form your letter.
The car is dangerous. You could very easily be in the outside lane when the engine cuts out/switches off and I hate to think of the consequences. No horn, no number plate light and depending how bad the crack in the windscreen is, will all effect the MOT. By the way when does the MOT run out? If its just been done, someone hasn't done their job very well at all.
I really hope you get it sorted. If you have no joy, Trading Standards is definitely the way to go. sally

sindii_2

Thanks for the example letter i will use that as my template when i write it in the mornig, thankyou.

I bought the car knowing about the windscreen and have gotten that fixed myself. The MOT was done in june so not too long ago but doesn't a MOT mean the car was fine on the day of the MOT and nothing after. Im guessing though, that you can't sell a car that does fail the MOT and say it has a full MOT ie no working horn without fixing it, is that correct?

ps i hope i get it sorted, i'd like to keep the car if it was fixed but i don't want to be another in the list of people taken for mugs by car dealers.

barrymung

tomstickland wrote: »

Lights and horn will most likely be simple electrical fualts - poor connection or blown bulb etc.
The cutting out is more serious and you should make it clear to the garage that you require it to be fixed.

The fact that the horn going off at random suggests someone removed the fuse on purpose in order to'fix' it..

sallysaver

Hi,
Glad to be a little help. You are right in thinking that a vehicle's MOT is only applicable to the day it was tested and I suppose in 3 months the horn and number plate lights could have failed but these are minor things in comparison to the engine cutting/switching off. Do you live anywhere near a VW garage? If you do, I would pop along and see them. Tell them the story, they just might assist a damsel in distress! If you are successful and they are able to offer 'advice and /or diagnosis' take the evidence along to the original garage and stand your ground. Try and find a 6'6, 18 stone(Mr.Universe lookalike) man to take with you. Let us know how you get on. - sally

sindii_2

Ok, heres the letter. Do i finish it with faithfully or sincerely and im guessing i have to stick my address in the top right corner and sign it.

Dear Sirs
You will see from your records that on 10th September, 2007 I purchased a Volkwagen Polo 1.4L Reg Number .
As you are aware, it has proved to be unsatisfactory and not fit for the purpose it was intended.
Listed below are the faults I would like rectifying:-
1) Engine switches off randomly, usually occuring when changing gear.
2)The horn will go off randomly while driving, causing me huge embarassment.
3) The lights on the rear number plate don't work.
I have already discussed the issues with you in person on the 11th of September, you decided adding a fuel cleaner would rectify the cutting out problem.
You also said the horn just needed a missing fuse replacing, which I did and that is when the horn problem came to light.
After this meeting you said if I had any further problems to contact you when suitable, which I tried to do on the 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 22nd of September by phone.
I eventually managed to get through to you on the 23rd of September and the person I spoke to told me to bring the car in again on Monday the 24th of September.
When I phoned to bring the car in on the 24th of September you told me not to bother and that I should go to a garage myself and get them fixed as they were 'nothing major'
and 'that's what you expect from a used car.'
When I said that the car was unfit for my needs and that you shouldn't have sold me a dangerous vehicle you said you would ask around some mechanics and get back to me in a couple of days.
I was given a 28day engine and gearbox warranty when I purchased the vehicle, doesn't the engine cutting out fall under this?
As the vehicle is required on a daily basis for my work, I would appreciate a)an early reply and b) a courtesy vehicle whilst this one is being repaired.

poppycracker

If you know the manager's name ie Mr Bloggs (or Joe Bloggs if you know them that well!) then it's sincerely, if its just Sir, its faithfully.
Good luck!
hth

deanos

I bet the garage or the person who sold it to him knew about the horn and thats why the fuse was missing.

I really hate car salesmen, thats why i buy private.

oldagetraveller

sindii wrote: »

Ok, heres the letter. Do i finish it with faithfully or sincerely and im guessing i have to stick my address in the top right corner and sign it.

Yours faithfully as it's not addressed to an individual.
Your address top right. Dealers name and address left side but a couple of lines below yours. Date directly above their address.
Print your name under your signature.

sindii_2

said they would call back today but didn't just as i expected :-(