Bought car with heated windscreen, doesn't have one

marfy

Hi

I bought a used car two weeks ago (from a large dealership) which was advertised as having a heated windscreen. I've been unable to find how to work it as there is no button in the car and the manual doesn't mention anything. I've tested all the buttons that show a heating symbol - the seats, steering wheel and back window all heat up nicely - but nothing works for the windscreen.

I've emailed the dealership to ask if there's something I'm not finding and if they can explain how to work the heated windscreen and I'm waiting on a reply.

If it's the worst and the windscreen isn't in fact heated what are my rights? I've thought about insisting they change it to a heated windscreen but that may then affect my insurance: would they replace it with another heated windscreen if it got damaged, or would they only replace it with a standard windscreen? Would it affect my premium? What can I do if the dealership refuses to do anything?

I do have a screenshot of the advert which states the car has a heated windscreen.

Sorry if I sound like a numpty but I'm not well up on technical stuff.

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Oakdene

Whats the car make & model?

marfy

In addition: it's a 64 reg car, sale value was just over £6,000. Might be difficult to return it as I gave my old car in part ex which I doubt they would have anymore.

marfy

It's a Vauxhall Corsa.

Oakdene

Year & type of Corsa?

marfy

1.2 SE 3dr 2014

wgl2014

I suspect it will be a mistake in the advert.

Does any of the paperwork you did with the dealer mention the heated windscreen? Did you ask them about it?

I would suggest if this one feature was a deal breaker you should have done a bit more to ensure it was present. I don't mean that in a rude way just my opinion.

NBLondon

marfy wrote: »

I've thought about insisting they change it to a heated windscreen but that may then affect my insurance: would they replace it with another heated windscreen if it got damaged, or would they only replace it with a standard windscreen?

If that model doesn't have a heated windscreen and they got the advert wrong, you could ask them to fit one - but that might not be practical, even for a main dealer. They might offer you some money back. Is the heated screen a deal-breaker or a nice extra?

I can't see it making a lot of difference to insurance unless it's not an option on that model and the insurance treats it as a modification - which would put your premium up in most cases...

marfy

Thank you for the replies.

There is nothing in the paperwork to say it has a heated windscreen but during the test drive I did ask the salesman and he confirmed it did have one, though that would be my word against his. I would therefore be relying on the screenshot of the ad.

I live in Scotland so we get a lot of frost and the heated windscreen was a definite bonus when choosing a new car. It is important to me but I can't say for sure whether or not I would have bought this car if it hadn't had one. Probably would have looked elsewhere.

kev25v6

I’m pretty sure only fords have the heated windscreens. If it doesn’t have the faint lines down the screen it won’t be heated. The heated screen in the advert probably meant the rear screen.

Robisere

Don't complain direct, first go back to the dealership and speak to someone. Just say that you " ... can't find the control or button which switches on the heated windscreen." They will either look into it and try to find it, or say something like " This model does not have a heated windscreen." In which case you can say that it was advertised as having one, producing your screenshot only if necessary.