Faulty car within 6 months

Carrot007

MeterMan wrote: »

I have only done 2000miles in the vehicle in 4 months, I think its unlikely that the valve would go from working perfectly to not working correctly in that space of time.

So what you are saying is you abused the car with a horribly low milage and put extra stress on it?

AdrianC

MeterMan wrote: »

I have only done 2000miles in the vehicle in 4 months, I think its unlikely that the valve would go from working perfectly to not working correctly in that space of time.

On the contrary - that sounds like a great way of clagging EGR up.

motorguy

MeterMan wrote: »

Hi there,

I bought a second hand car from a dealership in January. The car has recently given off black/white smoke and failed to start at times. I had the vehicle diagnosed by the manufacturer and it came back stating the EGR valve needed replacing.

Having read the law, I see that within 6 months I am entitled to a repair or replacement as long as the dealer can't prove the fault didnt exist when the car was sold. I have spoken to the dealer who went down the route of telling me to contact a solicitor.

I know that I need to write a letter, but I am not sure how to write it. I have looked for a template online, but they all seem to be for rejecting a car.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Surely by virtue of the fact the "fault" wasnt there at the time of sale, and - presumably - only manifested itself very recently, is all the evidence the dealer needs?

Also, EGR valves can clog - this could be considered to be a wear and tear issue, not a fault.

motorguy

MeterMan wrote: »

I have only done 2000miles in the vehicle in 4 months, I think its unlikely that the valve would go from working perfectly to not working correctly in that space of time.

Fantastic way to clog up an EGR valve - below average miles. :eek:

Presumably its a diesel?

motorguy

MeterMan wrote: »

I have only done 2000miles in the vehicle in 4 months, I think its unlikely that the valve would go from working perfectly to not working correctly in that space of time.

Oh Jesus - you've bought a car with nigh on 90,000 miles on it and you've a "fault" with the EGR valve? :eek:

You need to look up the definition of "fault", and then the definition of "wear and tear"...

motorguy

wgl2014 wrote: »

Second hand cars need ongoing maintenance. Clearly the fault was not there when you bought the car as it would have been obvious.
What car is it, £1500 sounds steep.

Edit: have a read here, http://www.micksgarage.com/blog/does-your-egr-valve-need-replacing/

I'm going to hazard a guess and say a mk6 Golf - or certainly a 1.6TDI VAG anyway. The EGR is a ball ache to get at and replace.

forgotmyname

You read the law? All of it?

Are you sure it needs replacing and not just a clean?

motorguy

MeterMan wrote: »

I had the vehicle diagnosed by the manufacturer and it came back stating the EGR valve needed replacing.

You'd it diagnosed by the manufacturer or a franchised dealer who has a vested interested in getting money out of your for repairs?

facade

MeterMan wrote: »

Having read the law, I see that within 6 months I am entitled to a repair or replacement as long as the dealer can't prove the fault didnt exist when the car was sold.
.

Presumably the dealer simply points to the cloud of black & white smoke and states "It didn't do that when you bought it, so it clearly wasn't broken when you bought it."

MeterMan

Thanks for all of the replies.

The car is a Ford S-Max 1.8 TDCI. The car has been progressively getting more sluggish under 2000rpm for 2 months and the vehicle failing to start on Sunday is what prompted me to get it checked out.

I am not a mechanic, so I don't know if the fault existed before I bought the car, this is why I am here looking for advice.

The car was at a trustford shop where it was checked out and yes I know that all business' require selling things.

Is there a way to recover the emissions test results from the previous MOT as I wasn't given these?

The 1500 cost of fixing is for a replacement EGR valve and manifold and replacing the tyre pressure monitors missing from two tyres.