Lease car missing advertised feature - what are my rights?

Arbee

A few days ago I took delivery of a new lease car (Vauxhall Astra).

I checked the car thoroughly for blemishes and scratches, and signed for it as I was satisfied.

However, a few hours later, I realised it was missing an advertised feature (in this case, it did not have the buttons to support OnStar - Vauxhall's connected vehicle platform).

This is quite a major feature, mentioned as a real selling point in most of the reviews, so I was a bit disappointed (the car was otherwise perfect).

I emailed the lease company to query this immediately, but have not yet had a response (60 hours).

I've got a screenshot of the online booking system clearly indicating this car has OnStar, and that OnStar wasn't even available as an optional extra.

While researching this issue, I have since discovered that "Model Year 2019" (which it turns out my car is - I only found this out when I registered it with Vauxhall) has changed OnStar from a standard feature to an optional feature (£400 extra) - I believe this is why it's not fitted on my car. However, I don't believe this was the case when I ordered it at the beginning of September.

Finally, the only relevant part of the leasing Ts and Cs I can find is:

13.7 Whilst every effort is made to state or provide quotations, manufactures standard and optional equipment details accurately, no responsibility can be accepted for fluctuations in interest rates, manufacturer’s prices and specification changes or otherwise.

Soooo, my questions are:

1) I'm going to phone them first thing Monday, but before I did I wanted to understand what legal or contractual rights I have (if any)?
2) Ignoring the rights I may have, what is a typical resolution in this scenario (e.g. does the lease company pay compensation, replace the car, permit me to cancel, etc)?

Any information will be warmly appreciated.

Richard53

"no responsibility can be accepted for fluctuations in interest rates, manufacturer’s prices and specification changes or otherwise. "


There's your answer, I think.

Johno100

OnStar is ending at the end of 2020 and so it is no surprise it is not being included on new vehicles.

http://www.alphr.com/cars/1009298/vauxhall-onstar-services-dead-uk

Arbee

Johno100 wrote: »

OnStar is ending at the end of 2020 and so it is no surprise it is not being included on new vehicles.

I was aware of this, but my lease runs until October 2020, so this wouldn't have affected me.

(strictly, I wasn't aware of this when I ordered the car. However, I found it out subsequent to ordering it, but prior to receiving it - it wasn't a deal-breaker for me, as it wasn't going to directly affect me).

sheslookinhot

Compensation culture lives on.

Herzlos

Do you really need onstar?
What's the price difference between a 2018 and 2019 model car of that trim in terms of spec and price? It sounds like you got a newer model than expected.

facade

You ordered from the 2018 specification (which included onstar), they supplied a 2019 specification (which doesn't) it wasn't an option that you ordered, and presumably you didn't make it clear (in writing) that the car supplied must have onstar.


I think that you will have to live with it under the "manufacturer's specification might change" terms of your lease.

AdrianC

OnStar is a GM service. GM Europe (Opel, and the UK badge-swap to Vauxhall) were sold by GM to PSA in summer 2017. From that point on, the imminent European discontinuation of OnStar was no great surprise, and the formal announcements relating to OnStar were made back in May. New model years tend to apply to all production after the summer factory closures - so a September order would undoubtedly come under MY19.


Brochures would state clearly that spec changes may occur. Did you explicitly clarify with the supplier when placing the order? When you say "the online booking system", is that a third-party financier's or Vauxhall's? What trim level is your car?

Here's WhatCar on the issue from a year ago.
https://www.whatcar.com/news/how-to-spec-a-vauxhall-astra/n18108

And there was a similar thread here back in May.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5846297/vauxhall-sale-leaves-onstar-facilities-redundant


But, ultimately...

Finally, the only relevant part of the leasing Ts and Cs I can find is:

13.7 Whilst every effort is made to state or provide quotations, manufactures standard and optional equipment details accurately, no responsibility can be accepted for fluctuations in interest rates, manufacturer’s prices and specification changes or otherwise.

...is all you need to know. Save yourself the call.

Car_54

Richard53 wrote: »

"no responsibility can be accepted for fluctuations in interest rates, manufacturer’s prices and specification changes or otherwise. "


There's your answer, I think.

I suspect the “or otherwise” may be enough to fall foul of the unfair contracts legislation.

It’s also nonsense to say no responsibility CAN be accepted. They could if they wanted!