Car Repair & Consumer Rights

ChrisMC_2

Hello. I’d really appreciate some advice on my consumer rights for a car repair:

• A full alloy wheel refurbishment done through the Dealership
• The refurbishment has visibly failed 16 months later
• The Dealership has inspected the wheel and agreed there is no damage that could have caused the failure
• The Dealership is insistent that, as the refurbishment only had a 1-Year Warranty, this is no longer their responsibility
• No documentation or mention of the warranty was made at the time of the repair

I had 2 related questions:

• What consumer rights do I have in this situation?
• What is my best line of reasoning with the dealership, using these rights?
  

In my head: Given it’s agreed there is no damage that could have caused this, I think its unreasonable that the work has failed after 16 months. I would expect it to have a lifetime similar to a new Alloy. I also wonder if its valid to argue that the problem is inherent from the refurb and that it has taken this long to manifest itself?

Thanks, Chris

DoaM

Inherent - given that it is more than 6 months since provision of the service then the burden of proof lies with you.

How much was the refurb?

If there was no mention of a warranty then you only have consumer rights to fall back on anyway.

ChrisMC_2

Hi

Thanks for the response.

1. At the moment, the Dealership isn't questioning the cause of the failure, I think they accept this is a defect. They are saying, irrespective of the cause, they are not liable now as the warranty (1-year) has run out

2. The refurb was done for 'free' as it was agreed as part of the sale

So, on that basis, I'd like to understand my rights, specifically those I should take forward with the Dealership

Thanks again, C

JJ_Egan

Warranty is an extra and not your legal rights .
.


Under Consumer law you will need to prove that it is unreasonable and may need an independant report to prove your point .
Dealer can also knock xxx of for usage .


Have the dealership offered a discount on a refurbas this might be the easy way /

ChrisMC_2

Hi JJ


Yeah, I'm going to approach the dealership to see if there is something we can agree as a compromise or if it really is a dead end with them. I just wanted to have some idea of my rights beforehand, which I could use as bargaining chips, if I really needed to.


Appreciate your response


Cheers


C