Second hand car issues

Jamrob

Hi all,
First post and I wasn't sure whether to post this in motoring or consumer rights so apologies if it's in the wrong place. I'm not sure I have much of a leg to stand on with the scenario I'll describe but I'd appreciate any advice or insight any of you may be able to offer.

So on 29/01/2019 I purchased a used car from a (relatively) local car dealer. I purchased a 2010 1.4l Peugeot 308, around 80,500 miles on the clock. Had it out for a few miles test drive, had a good look around the inside and outside, checked all the lights, engine compartment, tyres etc. I was happy enough to buy the car, I did note that two tyres were fine, but two were in bad need of replacing, and the rear drivers side wheel arch had a fairly minor scuff. The rest of the car was very well polished and presented and no apparent issues.

Bought the car and took it home that day as I can't really be without a car for getting to work, paid some on credit card, some on debit card, had it insured and taxed before driving off, all good.

Car has driven well, had the two tyres replaced. I had the car washed (hand wash - not a machine) about a week after buying due to weather and salt on on the roads - all looked well.

Earlier this week I noticed that the clear coat on the roof had began peeling, and was now completely off in an area around the size of my forearm. Took the car to a local body shop who advised it would need a full roof respray, and it looked like it had previously been resprayed. He advised contacting the dealer as at this point it was less than two weeks since purchase to have a chat with them. I did call the dealer and spoke to a sales person who essentially told me "Well we could buff and polish it for you, but the boss is on holiday until Saturday, so call back then, but we won't stand over body work issues".

Today a kind driver with a well-functioning horn made me aware that the rear passengers side light cluster is not functional. Did a quick check online, saw it's often an issue of the earth pin corroding in the connector from the wiring to the light cluster. Duly took the cluster out and checked the connections and bulbs. All bulbs looked fine but sure enough the earth pin on the connector has completely fried and melted/snapped off. So I've got a car with peeling paintwork and dangerously non-functional lights. In addition the clips holding the lighting unit into the holder were all snapped off, probably affecting the seal

Sorry for the long read but I'll get to the point - where do I stand with going back to the dealer on this one? I know I may not have any "rights" as it were, as I'm sure body work doesn't count as a "fault", lights I'm not sure. I really cannot afford to be without a car at the moment but on the lights alone I really can't be driving this one about.

Thanks if anyone is able to help!

System

Lights are a simple fix, it'd take an auto electrician 10 minutes to wire in a new earth. However they shouldn't be like that and the dealer should fix them. Good news is if they mess you about you can go to the credit card company just the same as if they'd been the people who sold you the car.

Its a 9 year old 80,000 mile car so it isn't going to be issue free but the lights definitely should be sorted and if the tyres weren't legal they should have been changed before you drove it off the forecourt.

Jamrob

Thanks for the response, will be contacting the dealer today. I've seen a fair few "simple" fixes for the same issue online as it seems to be a common enough fault with Peugeots, do you reckon it's worth mentioning this?
I don't want to right with them if they're otherwise willing to work with me, but I need it sorted asap.

Thanks again.

tacpot12

It's not worth mentioning that you know the issue with the lights can be fixed cheaply. The dealer will fix them for a price he is happy with if he fixes them at all.

If he is local and you can wait, give him the opportunity to fix them, otherwise fix them yourself or pay an auto-electrician if it is urgent.

The peeling clear coat is your problem unless you can prove that the dealer resprayed the clear coat and use something that was inappropriate. After 9 years, the clear coat is going to be deteriorating and this would have been visible on your pre-purchase inspection and if not, if it delaminates during your ownership, that is just tough. The price you paid reflected the state of the paintwork and the tyres.

parking_question_chap

Not really sure how you can go back do the dealer, both issues could have been checked when you were looking over the car. Its not as if they are hidden defects. Did you not try all the lights?

Jamrob

tacpot12 - Yeah the clear coat issue was just highlighted because I'm annoyed it happened so soon! A respray is likely on the cards but I wouldn't expect him to cover that anyway. Tough luck on that one for me but I'll get over it.

parking_question_chap - Of course I checked the lights before buying. Did you expect me to say I walked in, went "I want that one", paid and flew off without a second glance?
If you're going around taking apart the lighting units on every vehicle you buy, which is the only way I'd have known of issues before the earth fried itself, by all means let me know because I might have to add that to the list of checks! I'll add "disassemble clutch to check for issues" right after it.

parking_question_chap

Jamrob wrote: »

If you're going around taking apart the lighting units on every vehicle you buy, which is the only way I'd have known of issues before the earth fried itself, by all means let me know because I might have to add that to the list of checks! I'll add "disassemble clutch to check for issues" right after it.

The light connections yes I would check myself. And as it happens on the 308 its rather easy you just pull down the flap and look behind the carpet, simples.

In terms inspecting the drive system its always personal preference, but I myself would probably not be inclined to inspect the clutch for issues. It takes a long time to unhook the driveshaft and of course you need to have a way of lowering it down without causing damage, plus you need to carry around all the tools for the job and they are really heavy.

Jamrob

Having spoken to the dealer yesterday he's said he should be able to fix it no problem, but as his in-house mechanics don't work Saturdays he couldn't say for definite the timescale. Good news is he's offered me a loan of another car in the meantime. At this rate, so long as he doesn't stick the arm in and to keep a decent relationship with him I think I'm happy just paying the man.

Thanks again for the advice.