Can I do anything?

Emiemigro

No idea if this is the right thread. 

Long story short, I bought a used car in October. Noticed a week later that the USB port was bashed in and unusable. Tried several times by various means to contact the dealer and got no response. In between now and then they had also been closed due to COVID. Now they have got incredibly rude and shirty with me, saying it’s my fault and I should’ve told them when I drove off the forecourt. Bare in mind I didn’t think to check the USB port really as I didn’t really expect it to not work. I wasn’t told I had to thoroughly inspect the car before I took it or else I would have to pay any repairs, regardless of warranty or not. I understand to some extent I may be at fault. However I did not break this USB. They say they checked it - they also ticked that my parking sensors work - the car has none! They want me to pay £60 diagnostics and then pay for the repairs. I have had financed cars before and not had to pay diagnostics, or be accused of lying about the problem. I’ve spoke to them and sent strongly worded emails and I’m at the end of my tether. My main worry is that when I give the car back at the end of the finance term I will be charged for damage I did not cause. 

I’d appreciate some decent advice if any. I feel like an idiot now - They’ve spoken to me like I’m some kind of moron. In the grand scheme of what’s happening in the world this may seem pathetic but it’s stressing me out a little. 

AdrianC

If they're standing their ground, then I don't think there's a lot of chance, tbh.

It is entirely feasible that the USB port could be damaged in short order after you took possession of the car. They have documentation that says it was working just fine before you took possession.

On the bright side, it's unlikely to be a very involved fix. Could you post a pic? It might just need clipping back into place.

Emiemigro

AdrianC said:

If they're standing their ground, then I don't think there's a lot of chance, tbh.

It is entirely feasible that the USB port could be damaged in short order after you took possession of the car. They have documentation that says it was working just fine before you took possession.

On the bright side, it's unlikely to be a very involved fix. Could you post a pic? It might just need clipping back into place.

It’s more (for me) their attitude toward it. If they’d apologised and said they’d take a quick look at it and told me what it was, I’d be happy with that. The fact they’ve said I must’ve broken it and asked me to prove I contacted them, does sit well with me. Their whole approach has put me off another car from their in the future. I’m happy to leave it broken but as I said above my worry is that when I return it I’ll be forced to pay up. 

Image attached. Not the best photo.but you can see it’s pushed up a little.  Thank you for your response. 

Emiemigro

Excuse my awful spelling in that reply 

sheslookinhot

If you don’t use USB, I would forget it. No point continuing to be let down by the dealer or upsetting yourself. Perhaps give them one last chance or you will leave a poor review for them. Might work, might not. You have already decided to avoid them in future.

Emiemigro

sheslookinhot said:

If you don’t use USB, I would forget it. No point continuing to be let down by the dealer or upsetting yourself. Perhaps give them one last chance or you will leave a poor review for them. Might work, might not. You have already decided to avoid them in future.

I sent a huge email to them explaining why I felt so disappointed in their reaction to it and to get them to see it from my point of view (falling on deaf ears, I know) I got a response saying they will ‘look after me’ if I get another car with them in future. As I said above, even an apology on their behalf for the broken usb would be fine. It seems so pathetic but Unfortunately I’m not full of money and £60 is a lot of money to me, to then potentially have to pay for repair too. 

Never mind! 😅

EssexExile

Get a USB adaptor that fits in the 12v socket.

AdrianC

EssexExile said:

Get a USB adaptor that fits in the 12v socket.

I suspect it's an aux input to the head unit, rather than simply a charger.

societys_child

Think a cig lighter plug will fit that. Plenty plug-in USB converters available.

angrycrow

I know it's nice to take the moral highground but this looks to be a Citroen / Peugeot standard fit usb socket. It pulls out with little force and has a simple plug behind. Replacements are under £15 on ebay and it will take you all of 2 minutes to fit it. 

I would chalk it up to experience fix it myself and move on whilst telling everyone I knew not to use that garage.