Dispute over repair with used car dealer.

jmould859

Hi, I hope some clever people on here can offer some insight. Apologies for the long story which follows.

I recently purchased a 2010 Renault Grand Scenic from a used car dealership. During the test drive I noticed a fault light and warning message about the electronic parking brake. I queried this with the dealer who said that they would fix this for me before I picked the car up. He advised that it was probably a faulty switch rather than a problem with the actual handbrake. This seems to be the case as the brake engages and disengages fine. I was assured that the problem would be fixed.

The dealer replaced the switch and the fault was gone for a day or so before it reappeared. The dealer said that the replacement switch was second hand so could also have a fault and I took the car back to the dealer for them to investigate further. They then said that the battery output was slightly low due to the age, and that although the engine starts fine, the slight drop in voltage was causing the handbrake alarm. They advised that the battery was not covered under their warranty but would last another 1-2 years so I could replace it when it suited me.

The car has a reversing camera powered from the cigarette lighter. Between the dealer and myself we decided to try driving for a day with it unplugged to see if that made a difference. It didn't so I contacted the dealer again to ask him to replace the battery. I also told him that I was unwilling to pay for a replacement as he had told me he would fix the problem. The car is now back with him to double check that it is the battery causing the problem.

These are my thoughts at this point:
As I understand it, I have a right to a repair under Consumer Act 2015 since the car is not as described.
Even though I knew the fault was present when I bought, I had been assured that it would be fixed.
I understand that the battery is not covered under warranty but in my mind this is irrelevant since the dealer made no qualifications on his promise that the problem would be fixed.

The dealer has suggested, but not quite offered, that they could cover half the cost of replacing the battery. I'm reluctant to take this offer as I feel like I'm entitled to have the whole thing covered - if I'd been buying a car that definitely needed a battery replaced I'd have negotiated a lower price to begin with.

Any advice welcome.

forgotmyname

You should expect a 9 year old car to have a 9 year old battery. If you drive a lot every day giving it plenty of charge that battery could last another few years. if you do shorter journeys or dont use it every day then it maybe wise to replace it. Your choice and at your expense.

The time to haggle a new battery or any new parts would be before you buy it. I haggled the cost of a cambelt into the purchase of my car. I replaced the battery myself because i dont use mine every day.

a.turner

jmould859 wrote: »

Hi, I hope some clever people on here can offer some insight. Apologies for the long story which follows.

I recently purchased a 2010 Renault Grand Scenic from a used car dealership. During the test drive I noticed a fault light and warning message about the electronic parking brake. I queried this with the dealer who said that they would fix this for me before I picked the car up. He advised that it was probably a faulty switch rather than a problem with the actual handbrake. This seems to be the case as the brake engages and disengages fine. I was assured that the problem would be fixed.

The dealer replaced the switch and the fault was gone for a day or so before it reappeared. The dealer said that the replacement switch was second hand so could also have a fault and I took the car back to the dealer for them to investigate further. They then said that the battery output was slightly low due to the age, and that although the engine starts fine, the slight drop in voltage was causing the handbrake alarm. They advised that the battery was not covered under their warranty but would last another 1-2 years so I could replace it when it suited me.

The car has a reversing camera powered from the cigarette lighter. Between the dealer and myself we decided to try driving for a day with it unplugged to see if that made a difference. It didn't so I contacted the dealer again to ask him to replace the battery. I also told him that I was unwilling to pay for a replacement as he had told me he would fix the problem. The car is now back with him to double check that it is the battery causing the problem.

These are my thoughts at this point:
As I understand it, I have a right to a repair under Consumer Act 2015 since the car is not as described.
Even though I knew the fault was present when I bought, I had been assured that it would be fixed.
I understand that the battery is not covered under warranty but in my mind this is irrelevant since the dealer made no qualifications on his promise that the problem would be fixed.

The dealer has suggested, but not quite offered, that they could cover half the cost of replacing the battery. I'm reluctant to take this offer as I feel like I'm entitled to have the whole thing covered - if I'd been buying a car that definitely needed a battery replaced I'd have negotiated a lower price to begin with.

Any advice welcome.

So quite a detailed description of the car if the advert commented on the condition of the battery.

jbainbridge

Does it have start/stop? Because those batteries are £200+ .. if not the battery will be much less.

In any case get the hand brake sorted to your satisfaction as they are not cheap to replace. Maybe £800+

Might be worth asking over on http://renaultforums.co.uk

jmould859

No, the battery wasn't mentioned before purchase.

I may not have been clear originally but to summarise, the car was bought with the agreement that the fault would be fixed at no cost to me. I am now being told I have to pay for it.

Thanks for your replies

shaun_from_Africa

a.turner wrote: »

So quite a detailed description of the car if the advert commented on the condition of the battery.

What does the condition of the battery have to do with it?

The salesman stated that the fault with the brake would be fixed before the car was picked up so the promise of this repair being carried out was part of the description of the vehicle, hence when collected with the fault still present, it's a case of not as described.

motorguy

I would be very very concerned that its the handbrake itself causing this light to come on. Well known problem and very expensive to repair.

m0bov

Sounds like they are fobbing you off, part of the sale (contract) was to fix the handbrake light. Simple as that.

I normally replace batteries at 5 years, they often go with no warning.

It could be that the rear pads are worn or something else, its not road worthy and needs to be fixed ASAP.

foxy-stoat

It wasn't a faulty switch or a low battery, dealer just fobbed you off there.

Clive_Woody

Tell the dealer that you wish to reject the care as they have not fixed the problem.

peter12345678910

EPB are complex and expensive to repair, I do not think a weak battery is the issue because it is still working. Just test the battery voltag