Dispute with dealership.

wintermute86

Hello. I am new to this forum, so I hope I post in right place. I would like to ask for an advice in what I suspect is common situation. I purchased used car from dealer. Car is over 10 years old. Car has been checked and in working condition up to satisfaction. Car was left with dealer for week as MOT had to be done and some suspension parts fitted. Upon collection I discovered issue with steering wheel. I raised it with dealer immediately. Dealership replayed that fix should cost abut £50 and I should do it and they will reimburse me. After searching for quote I discovered that another part shows signs of wear and tear and near failing. Here I want to ask:
1. Is failing component in such an old car is still covered after 2 months since purchase?
2. What if initial problem with steering wheel is not fixed after undertaking what dealer suggested. And if additional work must be done. Can I still ask dealer to cover additional cost?
3. How should I formally raise dispute. I was thinking about sending letter via post as dealer does not have email address or doesn’t provide it on website.
4. Also since this situation has been dragging for 2 months should I raise this as official complain not verbally but in written form asap?

Thank you in advance for the advice.

forgotmyname

A 10 year old used car has worn/used parts, is that a shock?

You can ask for a brand new car to replace it if you like, nothing stopping you asking for anything. Chances of getting it??

Whats near failing and what proof do you have its near failing and not just 10 years of fair wear and tear and why wont it last years to come?


I need to complain about mine, its got a rather annoying fault that causes the fuel gauge to drop when driving. Its slow to move but eventually the gauge is not at the full mark where it should be..

Stumped how to show them this fault as it happens over weeks before you notice the difference.

mcpitman

forgotmyname wrote: »

I need to complain about mine, its got a rather annoying fault that causes the fuel gauge to drop when driving. Its slow to move but eventually the gauge is not at the full mark where it should be..

Stumped how to show them this fault as it happens over weeks before you notice the difference.

LOL, brilliant.

Anyhoo - to the OP. It's a 10 year old car. If you weren't happy with it, you shouldn't have bought it.

On to fixing the issues, i would suggest a very reasonable 2nd hand car salesman may entertain some, but not all of the issues/costs you have highlighted. Where do they draw the line, when the tyres run out, when the wipers need changing?

Be reasonable and for one last time...... It's a ten year old car, what do you expect?

If you could clarify what car, mileage, engine size etc and how much paid we may be able to give you a better steer in fixes, costs and what you might get the garage to pay for.

dogshome

Yes it's an old car, but even so when bought from a trader it should be in roadworthy condition
So what are the problems with steering wheel and this other component?

AdrianC

...and how long since you bought it?

Aylesbury_Duck

AdrianC wrote: »

...and how long since you bought it?

10 years ago?

Nothing would surprise me any more.....

NeverEnough

Apart from the usual snarky comments about what you would expect from a 10 year old car.......


Buying a used car from a dealer / motor trader, even if it is 10+ years old, should not disadvantage you as to faults discovered in the first 6 months after purchase. However, reasonable wear and tear should be expected, but not something so bad that it would make it dangerous to drive, or if it breaks down completely dealer would have some responsibility.


I bought a 2008 Volvo XC90 a few months ago from a small independent dealer - with a full 12mo MOT - the intercooler failed within 2 months and the parking brake (which is dire on this model anyway) was not functioning at all - noted within a day or so. The dealer when contacted paid for both to be satisfactorily repaired at a local Volvo indy. He did give a 3mo warranty with all cars purchased, but this does not detract the legal rights with purchase of a used car from a dealer, anyway.



Have a discussion with the dealer first and see what they say about problems you have identified? It is unreasonable to expect a brand new car with purchase of a 10yr old car, but it does need to be safe and fit for purpose.

AdrianC

NeverEnough wrote: »

Buying a used car from a dealer / motor trader, even if it is 10+ years old, should not disadvantage you as to faults discovered in the first 6 months after purchase.

We don't yet know it's within six months of purchase.

However, reasonable wear and tear should be expected, but not something so bad that it would make it dangerous to drive

We don't yet know if it does make it dangerous to drive.
An issue with the steering wheel on a 2009 car might be purely cosmetic, or it might be an audio control button.
We don't even know what the "other part" that's "showing wear and tear and near failing" is.

or if it breaks down completely dealer would have some responsibility.

Depends entirely on the cause.

What if the break down is because a stone's gone through the radiator and the driver's ignored the warning lights, or because the oil level's dropped to nothing because nobody's bothered checking it, or because the DPF is clagged through inappropriate use...?

Car_54

dogshome wrote: »

Yes it's an old car, but even so when bought from a trader it should be in roadworthy condition

It's an offence for anyone to sell an unroadworthy vehicle, not just a trader. But the OP hasn't suggested it's unroadworthy.

NeverEnough

AdrianC wrote: »

We don't yet know it's within six months of purchase.

merely saying this is the case if it is.......

AdrianC wrote: »

We don't yet know if it does make it dangerous to drive.
An issue with the steering wheel on a 2009 car might be purely cosmetic, or it might be an audio control button.
We don't even know what the "other part" that's "showing wear and tear and near failing" is.

Indeed. I did indicate a 10yr old car cannot be expected to be in new condition.

AdrianC wrote: »

Depends entirely on the cause.

What if the break down is because a stone's gone through the radiator and the driver's ignored the warning lights, or because the oil level's dropped to nothing because nobody's bothered checking it, or because the DPF is clagged through inappropriate use...?

Of course. Mishaps or misadventure is not the dealer's responsibility. but a part which failed in the first 6 months of ownership might well be.

AdrianC

NeverEnough wrote: »

...but a part which failed in the first 6 months of ownership might well be.

Or, in a 10yo car, might very well not be.