Used car warranty rights

Maybetoogullible

Hey guys,

Not very optimistic but hoping someone can offer advice:

In Jan 18 I purchased a used ‘runaround’ car from Evans Halshaw, along with their additional 12 month warranty worth around £200.

This car had 90k miles, and was fairly cheap (£2.5k). It had passed its MOT just two weeks before I purchased it, with no advisables.

Fast forward nine months and an additional 3000 miles later (October 18), and I notice what I believe to be an issue with the exhaust. I take it to an Evans Halshaw garage to get looked at and what I think; also repaired under the warranty I purchased.

They call me later that day: over £500 worth of issues including new break pads and discs required, new exhaust (rear box), new clutch, oil leak in the engine, a new wiper, break fluid and the passenger door and boot locks need greasing. And the best bit, obviously none of this will be covered under the warranty because it’s all ‘wear and tear’.

Now, you know and I know that there’s no way all of these issues are down to nine months and less than 3000 miles of my use. I’m a single mid twenties female with a phobia of motorway driving. This car gets me ten minutes to work and back each day and the odd trip to friends, the gym and the supermarket and so on.

My best guess is the majority of these issues existed before my purchase and somehow were missed off the MOT.

I feel I have been missold the warranty, or the car... or both. What is stopping them from declaring every issue that goes into their garages as just ‘wear and tear’?!

And don’t get me started on the poor customer service and being left on hold 40minutes each call. That’s my opinion and irrelevant to this query and I’m trying to avoid boring you all with a ten page rant here! - (For the record, anyone who can... please AVOID Evans Halshaw!!)

I am actually livid right now!

So, other than coughing up and paying, what options are available to me?

Please no ‘what do you expect when you buy a cheap/old car’ comments. I did expect the odd issue, despite the car only being for small trips around town - but that’s why I also purchased their ‘all singing all dancing’ USELESS warranty.

Thanks for reading guys! :-) x

Maybetoogullible

Should also mention that the car is a 2012 Citroen C1 so not a horrifically old model.

Richard53

As you have discovered the vast majority of used car warranties are useless rubbish. Best thing would be to get your car back, take it to a garage you trust, and ask them to check the items and quote on them. My guess - half the items are not necessary, and the other half would cost half what EH say they would.


They are drumming up trade from a young/female/innocent customer.

Car_54

Richard53 wrote: »

As you have discovered the vast majority of used car warranties are useless rubbish. Best thing would be to get your car back, take it to a garage you trust, and ask them to check the items and quote on them. My guess - half the items are not necessary, and the other half would cost half what EH say they would.


They are drumming up trade from a young/female/innocent customer.

I agree entirely with the above: get a second opinion. If you don't know a suitable garage, ask friends and colleagues, check reputations on the web, etc.



Just to add, yes, all of these items are wear and tear. That doesn't mean the W & T has occurred since you bought the car. If you want to buy a car with no W & T you need to buy new!

sevenhills

Maybetoogullible wrote: »

Evans Halshaw, along with their additional 12 month warranty worth around £200.

Fast forward nine months and an additional 3000 miles later (October 18), and I notice what I believe to be an issue with the exhaust. I take it to an Evans Halshaw garage to get looked at and what I think; also repaired under the warranty I purchased.

They call me later that day: over £500 worth of issues including new break pads and discs required, new exhaust (rear box), new clutch, oil leak in the engine, a new wiper, break fluid and the passenger door and boot locks need greasing. And the best bit, obviously none of this will be covered under the warranty because it’s all ‘wear and tear’.

Your £200 probably incudes, Roadside Assistance and Home Start is included worth £146.


Brake pads, discs and the clutch could all be done at a later date. If you only do 3/4,000 miles per year. Depending on what is wrong with the clutch.
EH are more than likely a high charging garage, they will keep your car in tiptop shape, if you pay the price.
I would guess that the brake discs and pads would cost less than £150 fitted, for the front.


Get another quote.

Merlin139

The exhaust could well be down to doing lots of short journeys since you got it. If its the original exhaust then its done well to get 93K. The wiper blade could perish and need replacing due to may reasons. Everything you have mentioned is likely to be down to wear and tear as advised.

What does your £200 warranty cover?

System

I would say everything on that list is feasible on a car that's done 93k, especially when its done short journeys. Several of those issues aren't even in the MOT and brake pads are advised to be changed at around 3mm of friction material left which is still enough to pass a MOT. An exhaust can go from being OK to having a hole and blowing inside a year/3000 miles especially if it is the original now 7 years old.

To be fair if you're getting all that lot done for not a lot over £500 you're getting a bargain. The clutch alone on my Mondeo would be £100s more than that quote.