Cancelling new car order.

MX5huggy

I have discovered this week that MG have changed the specification of the new MG 5 ev. The roof bars are now for “decoration only” with a capacity of 0kg. Previously the brochure emphasised the the practical advantages of roof bars, the front photo had a bike on the roof and there were several other photos of the roof bars in use. Then it gave the roof capacity figure of 50kg. Enough for 2 or 3 bikes.

I don’t want the car now and my £500 deposit back. I haven’t approached the dealer yet. I don’t want to make a mistake in the process of asking for my money back. 

I’m £4K down on a holiday this year because the Mrs emailed to say we were not going. Before they cancelled the holiday.

AdrianC

Have they actually changed the spec? Or have they merely changed the way they refer to them, having discovered problems with using them...?

What do the Ts & Cs of your order say about cancellation?

daveyjp

MG are either not going through type approval for the fitment, or they have and its failed so they have changed their brochure.  

Is it retrospective or from a particular manufacturing date?  Will your vehicle (which may already be built and shipped) be type approved or not for a 50kg load?  

Whilst there will be riders about change of spec, if this feature influenced your decision to buy argue it is no longer fit for the purpose intended if they state its now 0kg.

MX5huggy

https://mg.co.uk/files/2020-09-39/MG5_EV_Brochure_SEP_20201.pdf

Or today 
https://mg.co.uk/files/2020-12-50/MG5_EV_Brochure_DEC_2020.

then those that have seen the manual say it says roof capacity 0kg.

I’ll come back to the order T&C’s when I dig them out.

Keep_pedalling

I suspect there has been no actual change to the design and this is more to do with the effect on range sticking bikes on the roof has. 

It is always better to have a rear carrier but of the EV makers only VW group and Tesla offer a hitch to attach a rear carrier too.

AdrianC

From that September brochure...

"Terms and Conditions: Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication were accurate and up to date at the time of being published (September 2020). Please note colours and accessories are for illustrative purposes only. Colours and finishes replicated are subject to limitations of the printing process and may vary from actual colour and paint finish. MG Motor UK endorses a policy of continuous improvement and reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice to colours, accessories, material, design, shape, specification and models. Items may be discontinued at any time. Actual UK specification may vary from vehicles shown. For latest information, please speak to your MG dealer."
(My emboldening for emphasis)

Dr_Crypto

Not sure how much weight a court would place on that disclaimer. The car still has to be what was ordered especially if an item of particular importance. 

AdrianC

Dr_Crypto said:

Not sure how much weight a court would place on that disclaimer. The car still has to be what was ordered especially if an item of particular importance. 

But is there an actual change in the parts? Or have they merely changed the rating, because of issues discovered in use...?

MX5huggy

From what I can gather from the Facebook group that I’m a member of MG uk have been left high a dry by SAIC who have not had the roof rails homologated. The ZS ev has roof rails with a capacity of 75kg. So it’s not a blanket they effect range we don’t want people to be effected by that in our cars. 

I believe this change is beyond what can be covered by their disclaimer. 

Bluebell1000

Did they say at the time it was fully refundable? That was what kia offered us on the pre-order for our ev, and just refunded the deposit no problems when we asked. 

AdrianC

MX5huggy said:

I believe this change is beyond what can be covered by their disclaimer. 

Unfortunately, that's likely to carry even less weight than the roofrails...

Your first route is via the contract you signed. Have you found the cancellation Ts & Cs yet? What do they say?

If that leaves you with a shortfall, then the only way that you can try and turn your belief into a refund is via a small claim for the outstanding monies. And you're likely to need to demonstrate that the carrying capacity of the rails was a material factor in your buying decision, not just a convenient peg to try and hang buyers' remorse on.

Did you discuss them explicitly during the sales process? Is that documented anywhere?

Was your order for a car that's in UK stock, or one that's being manufactured to spec? When is your car due for delivery? If a factory-order, then where in the production/delivery process is it?