car recall - help

little_green

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.
So I bought a new (used) car via private seller 2 weeks ago. Prior to the sale I carried out various history checks on the DVLA website & paid for the RAC history check which covers outstanding finance, theft, write off amongst many other things. Satisfied I proceeded to purchase the car (payment via bank transfer). Today I receive a message from the seller (former keeper) to advise he has revieved a letter saying the car is being recalled. First of all, I have had the new v5 through from the DVLA so why would this letter have went to him given records have clearly been updated to reflect I am the new owner. Which made me think that maybe he got the letter through prior to the sale but held off telling me. But then why would he contact me to tell me about it in that case? He asked for a forwarding address for the letter so I am going to check if there is a date on it. I have also asked for a photo of the letter prior to him posting as I want to know what it says but also in case it gets lost in the post. Even if he did have the letter prior to the sale I most likely don't have a leg to stand on for him not telling me about the recall prior to sale.

The seller was not the original owner (ie straight form dealership). I am now the new owner & registered keeper. How do recalls work in terms of not being the original owner ie the person who bought it rom dealership/new? Can all recalls be repaired? What is the process? What happens if they cannot be repaired? Do I need to inform my insurer?

Advice appreciated? I honestly cant believe the car has been on the road for 7 years but 2 weeks after I buy it it gets recalled.

[Deleted User]

Just take it in, get the problem fixed and you're back on the road.

cajef

Recalls are sent out by the manufacturer to the owners they have the details of they don't consult the DVLA. In the back of the service manual there are usually forms to fill in and send to the manufacturer notifying them of change of ownership.

If the vehicle is bought from a main dealer they sometimes notify the manufacturer, but it is the new owners responsibility, when there have been several owners and someone does not bother to notify then the recall notice is sent to the last owner that the manufacturer has the details of.

PDC

Would agree with the above posters, things are rarely as efficient as they should be.

To add it could be anything from a software update or a check to a suspension part, you should be able to look up any recalls for your model online. One of our cars is ten years old and that had a recall for something last year.

Also, if its a recall any work, if needed, would generally be free anyway so why would he not get this done and if he had ignored it and not got it done for some reason then why would he bother to contact you after you bought the car.

If you want to go down the tin hat route I'd be more worried about giving someone I'd bought a car from the address as to where it is kept now.

PDC

If you put your cars vin number in here it should have the details https://www.themotorombudsman.org/vehicle-recalls

TonyMMM

Manufacturers use their own warranty information but also ownership information obtained from DVLA for their recalls - but the DVLA data will be obtained some time in advance of the letters going out, so will never be 100% up to date.

Juts get the recall done - happens to loads of cars.

I took mine in for one a few weeks ago - I was given coffee and a newspaper by the dealer whilst it was done - took about 20mins (software upgrade).

little_green

Deleted_User wrote: »

Just take it in, get the problem fixed and you're back on the road.

right ok but I can't do that until i actually receive the letter from the seller/former keeper.

PDC wrote: »

If you want to go down the tin hat route I'd be more worried about giving someone I'd bought a car from the address as to where it is kept now.

well i had to put in my address when completing the v5 so if he wanted it he could have kept a note of it from that.


re the issue i have googled it & it seems it is " due to the risk of fires caused by a short circuit in the Vacuum Pump Relay Box, if water reaches the part"

what happens if it cant be repaired?

foxy-stoat

little_green wrote: »

right ok but I can't do that until i actually receive the letter from the seller/former keeper.


well i had to put in my address when completing the v5 so if he wanted it he could have kept a note of it from that.


re the issue i have googled it & it seems it is " due to the risk of fires caused by a short circuit in the Vacuum Pump Relay Box, if water reaches the part"

what happens if it cant be repaired?

Call up a main dealer, give them your registration number and they will tell you all you need to know. You dont need to wait for the letter.

What makes you think that it cant be repaired?

interstellaflyer

foxy-stoat wrote: »

Call up a main dealer, give them your registration number and they will tell you all you need to know. You dont need to wait for the letter.

What makes you think that it cant be repaired?

It sounds like the op doesn’t know much about cars and thinks the seller has stitched them up.

PDC

little_green wrote: »

re the issue i have googled it & it seems it is " due to the risk of fires caused by a short circuit in the Vacuum Pump Relay Box, if water reaches the part"

what happens if it cant be repaired?

I googled that and, if its a Vauxhall which most of the results were, it said "Vauxhall will replace the vacuum pump and any other related faulty components if required."

little_green

foxy-stoat wrote: »

Call up a main dealer, give them your registration number and they will tell you all you need to know. You dont need to wait for the letter.

What makes you think that it cant be repaired?

ok will do that.
nothing really more just curious in a worst case scenario lol so if needs be i can prepare myself for the loss of the car