Issues with my new used car

Drhitz

Hello everyone,

I hope someone can provide some guidance with the issue we’re facing.

We recently purchased a vehicle via click and collect. The brand is a well known reputable brand and purchased via the main dealership. 

The vehicle is a few years old. 

We identified a few issues with the car, chips on the windscreen and paint issues with the bumper on the purchase day. The salesman said they would cover the cost of repairs, also in writing. This being, repair of the windscreen chips and a polish of the bumper. 
We obtained some quotes from various local garages. Our local main dealership has advised that the windscreen is not safe and should be replaced. Further the bumper paint issues cannot be polished out and requires a complete respray.

We have provided this feedback back to the company where we purchased it and they’ve asked that if we replace the window via our car insurance as the replacement costs are so high, they would now only cover the excess of that replacement. Our local main dealership advised use that they shouldn’t be doing that and should just pay to replace the window. We are yet to receive a response on the bumper respray.

We are concerned that the seller will not pay up and that they told lies about the severity of the issues.

If they continue to refuse, what can we do to fight back?

angrycrow

Politely point out to them that trying to claim on your insurance for windscreen damage that was present before you bought the car is fraudulent and you are not willing to commit fraud. Tell them that if they do not rectify both issues or you will be rejecting the vehicle. 

KimJongUn88

Reject it and just get a refund. If they’re being this slippery now, they’ll be worse if there’s more problems down the line.

tacpot12

I would get the bumper paint issue checked more thoroughly by your local main dealer as it could indicate accident damage, and there may be hidden damage that has not been repaired correctly. If you find such damage, definitely reject the car. If the car is fine apart from these issues, I would do as angrycrow suggests.  

Stubod

..I would be inclined to reject it now and get your money back...

macman

'Recently purchased': how recently? And how did you pay? Bank transfer, debit card? Deposit on a credit card maybe?
You have 30 days to reject it outright under CRA 2015, are you still within that period?
And how many years old is 'a few'?
Specifics are important in these kind of cases.

Drhitz

Thank you everyone for your input, so grateful.

We purchased the vehicle on 23rd Jan. We part exchanged our car in.
The car was advertised for £12490, we received a discount of £290, received £1700 for our old vehicle and paid the remainder in cash split in two payments, £5401 via debit and £5000 via credit card (MasterCard). The new vehicle has a 2017 reg. 
As we had part exchanged our old car in (which has probably been auctioned off by now), we were not sure of the best course of action (as we would have sold it for more privately). 

It’s all complicated and a little lost. Legally do we have a case and what’s the best way to challenge them?
We suspect they will provide the official response tomorrow.

AdrianC

So you paid £12,201 for a 3-4yo car, with £1,700 covered by the px of your old car.
If the PX car is no longer available, they simply return the £1,700 value of it, if you return the car. You cannot claim this isn't suitable recompense, because you agreed that was its worth in accepting the deal. So you will either get £12,201 back or £10,401 plus your old car.

The question is whether a bumper paint issue and some windscreen chips are sufficient grounds to return the car, especially since you noticed them on collection and accepted the car anyway.

If they don't agree, you need to return the car to them, then take them to court for the amount. Because it's over £10k, it's not a small claim.

Because you part-paid on credit card, the card issuer is just as responsible for the return of your money as the vendor is.

tacpot12

AdrianC said:

...

The question is whether a bumper paint issue and some windscreen chips are sufficient grounds to return the car, especially since you noticed them on collection and accepted the car anyway.
...

This is why I recommended looking for other damage. The paint and windscreen can be repaired. If you want to return it, you need something more substantial. 

AdrianC

I'd suggest that the vast, vast majority of used cars that have had paint on the bumper are for minor parking scrapes, no more than that.

The entire purpose of a bumper is to protect the structure behind it from damage.

macman

Mileage? You cannot expect a 4 year old car, typically with 40K on the clock, to be in showroom condition.

Am I right in thinking that your purchased this vehicle without an on-site inspection or test drive? If so, did you not inspect it on collection before paying for it?