Used Car Purchase

Anasras

Hi

I bought a used car from a small local dealership. The car was taken for a test drive to which no major issues arose, other than a ABS light appearing on the dashboard. I was told that this was an issue with a sensor on one of the rear wheels. On the premise that this was the cause of the issue I bought the car, negotiating a discount that would cover the cost of the repair. I add this was purchased on credit card.

The following day I took the car to a local independent garage to get repaired. A few days later the garage advised that the car had in-fact several additional faults, not relating to the ABS. A major concern was that the o/s/f ball joint was loose, making the car dangerous to drive and as such they would not perform a road test.

I have spoken to the dealership and had no joy in coming to an agreement for the repairs and flat out refusing my offer to return the car (I am still way within the 30 days of purchase).

Any advice on where I stand here?

Edit: I should add the car is 54 reg and has done 47,000 miles.

Arklight

Difficult. You accepted the car with the ABS fault so you don!!!8217;t have much comeback there.

The car presumably has an MOT and drives so the dealer will say you have got what you paid for.

You could get an engineers report and try and fight them but for the probable cost of a 14 year old car you might be better off just swallowing the repair if that!!!8217;s all that!!!8217;s really wrong.

motorguy

Anasras wrote: »

Hi

I bought a used car from a small local dealership. The car was taken for a test drive to which no major issues arose, other than a ABS light appearing on the dashboard. I was told that this was an issue with a sensor on one of the rear wheels. On the premise that this was the cause of the issue I bought the car, negotiating a discount that would cover the cost of the repair. I add this was purchased on credit card.

The following day I took the car to a local independent garage to get repaired. A few days later the garage advised that the car had in-fact several additional faults, not relating to the ABS. A major concern was that the o/s/f ball joint was loose, making the car dangerous to drive and as such they would not perform a road test.

I have spoken to the dealership and had no joy in coming to an agreement for the repairs and flat out refusing my offer to return the car (I am still way within the 30 days of purchase).

Any advice on where I stand here?

Edit: I should add the car is 54 reg and has done 47,000 miles.

Several things

• No 14 year old car is going to be perfect
• Leave any 14 year old car in to a garage and ask them to check it over and they'll find things wrong with it. Human nature and the nature of the beast itself (a 14 year old car)
• Mechanics like to put the fear of god in to people about the work needing done
• A ball joint can only amount to a few tens of pounds in costs and a an hour or twos labour to fit.

The time to get your mechanic to check the car over for wear and tear issues that might need addressing sooner rather than later is probably BEFORE you purchase it.

I cant see you getting terribly far with this....

Nearlyold

A ball joint is usually a relatively cheap easy repair, how much has the independent garage quoted to fix?

Has the ABS been fixed?

Are the other faults that have been found things that need immediately fixing because they are dangerous or likely to cause damage to the car, or are they parts that are worn but don't need immediate action. Any used car is going to have some wear and tear.

wgl2014

+1 for just getting a new ball joint.

Anasras

The ABS has been fixed this was caused by a damaged sensor and have heard back from the garage and the known faults so far are;

The locking wheel nut was not with the nut set
N/S/F brake caliper is leaking
O/S/F ball joint is loose

To repair all the above the garage has quoted approx. £400. The garage quoted that the works need doing immediately as the car is unsafe to drive and shouldn't have been sold as is... Which is why I have questioned if I have a leg to stand on with consumer rights act? I was advised by citizens advice to get the ball rolling with making a claim via credit card company and back to the garage themselves which I have done.

Is the general consensus that this will be to no avail?

Edit: I know I have been extremely naive here and have learnt a lesson.

tedted

what car is this please

Anasras

A Vauxhall Corsa

ratrace

Anasras wrote: »

The ABS has been fixed this was caused by a damaged sensor and have heard back from the garage and the known faults so far are;

The locking wheel nut was not with the nut set (just replace all bolts with normal one locking wheels nuts on an old car in overkill unless the car had some expensice alloys)
N/S/F brake caliper is leaking (again an easy job another hours work as its the front no handbrake cable to deal with or shoes)
O/S/F ball joint is loose (an hours work if you are really slow tops)

To repair all the above the garage has quoted approx. £400. The garage quoted that the works need doing immediately as the car is unsafe to drive and shouldn't have been sold as is... Which is why I have questioned if I have a leg to stand on with consumer rights act? I was advised by citizens advice to get the ball rolling with making a claim via credit card company and back to the garage themselves which I have done.

Is the general consensus that this will be to no avail?

Edit: I know I have been extremely naive here and have learnt a lesson.

replace wheel bolts x 4 each wheel = about £30 or so
Caliper costs about including swap for yours =about £70 or so

Ball joint = about £10 - £15


parts =£115
labour including wheel nut replace on each wheel = £50 x 2.5 hours = £125
total = £240 so in other words £400 is too much plus by the sounds of things you have taken it to a garage who are using scare mongary tactics so you get the work done

arcon5

Firstly the quote sounds a bit steep.


Secondly the seller should deal with this... It is clearly unroadworthy and shouldn't have been sold like It. Even an old banger has to be roadworthy unless it's specifically sold as otherwise.


It shouldn't be too expensive for them to put a caliper on from a breakers yard

EdGasketTheSecond

Why buy a car with ABS problem anyway? You are lucky it was indeed only a sensor and not the pump. Next time don't buy until the dealer has repaired the fault. The other 2 you should give the dealer the chance to repair; if he wont you can reject the car though I guess you have already spent money on it so you wont want to be doing that.