Minor feature of car doesn't work - what are my rights here?

Supersonos

I bought a new vehicle back in January.  A large reason for the purchase was Android Auto integration - I drive long distances and liked the idea of Google Maps and all my music being integrated into the car.

Initially, Android Auto didn't work at all, but my dealer did something (reinstalled firmware?) and it worked fine.  But I still can't actually hear the audio from my phone.  Looking online, a lot of people are having this same issue, and all my investigations makes me confident the issue is the vehicle.

So, the question is, what are my rights?  Android Auto integration and being able to listen to my music was clearly stated in the vehicle's sales info.  I wouldn't have bought it if it didn't have it, but I'm aware it's a fairly petty problem when every other part of the vehicle is exemplary.

I suspect VW UK and my dealer will endelssly fob me off and ultimately not be able to fix it, probably blaming my phone, the USB cable etc.  Can I return the vehicle for a refund?  Can I insist they make it work within a certain timeframe?  Can I insist they install the upgraded stereo system in the hope that would work?

photome

Have you tried various phones? I had a hire car with android auto and it worked with one phone I have but not the other

Kattekwaad

You won't be able to do anything at the moment so why worry,  wait until all this is over and then get them to fix it.

Alternatively find a handy teenager and ask them to have a look.

Supersonos

photome said:

Have you tried various phones? I had a hire car with android auto and it worked with one phone I have but not the other

Yes - a Google Pixel, two Samsung Galaxys and an LG.  Works fine with two iPhones I've used.  It's possible to get audio from an Android phone by plugging in an iPhone first, but the vehicle thinks there isn't any, so the volume won't work correctly.

Looking online, all sorts of people with all sorts of Android phones are having issues with this model of vehicle.

giraffe69

When your garage re-opens and you feel able to visit it then having some evidence printed out of the others who have this problem might save you some of the fobbing off you fear.

born_again

Android Auto & Apple car play (what a i-phone uses) are totally different.
There are a lot of issues with various phones and different head units. Are any of the phones you have tried on the VW AA compatibility list?

Do you have power saver set on, on the phones? If so turn it off. Try the phone manufacture cable, not a 3rd party one.

Supersonos

born_again said:

Android Auto & Apple car play (what a i-phone uses) are totally different.
There are a lot of issues with various phones and different head units. Are any of the phones you have tried on the VW AA compatibility list?

Do you have power saver set on, on the phones? If so turn it off. Try the phone manufacture cable, not a 3rd party one.

Thanks for this info, but I wasn't looking for technical advice about Android Auto, I'm looking for consumer rights advice.  Could you offer any help there?

JReacher1

Supersonos said:

born_again said:

Android Auto & Apple car play (what a i-phone uses) are totally different.
There are a lot of issues with various phones and different head units. Are any of the phones you have tried on the VW AA compatibility list?

Do you have power saver set on, on the phones? If so turn it off. Try the phone manufacture cable, not a 3rd party one.

Thanks for this info, but I wasn't looking for technical advice about Android Auto, I'm looking for consumer rights advice.  Could you offer any help there?

It’s worth trying the suggestions provided as if the issue is with your phone not your car then you don’t really have any relevant consumer rights as there is nothing wrong with the car. 

[Deleted User]

Supersonos said:  Can I return the vehicle for a refund?  

Not  four months after purchase. As others have said, look to your phone for the source of the problem though...

davidmcn

Supersonos said:

I bought a new vehicle back in January.  A large reason for the purchase was Android Auto integration

Did you make clear at the time of purchase that this was a "large reason"? Did you test it out before you bought?

ThumbRemote

davidmcn said:

Did you make clear at the time of purchase that this was a "large reason"? Did you test it out before you bought?

In terms of consumer rights, neither of these are particularly relevant. If something is advertised with a specific feature, it needs to have that feature - it's not for the consumer to check it actually works.