Big problem with vehicle after 2 weeks - but more than 30 days to identify issue

joolsbfd

Bought a campervan from a reputable dealer. the headgasket went after 2 weeks but it's taken nearly 6 to get the vehicle back to them, and for them to find local garage to investigate further and identify the issue with certainty.  I've asked for a refund, but i'm unsure of my rights as it's now over 30 days. Have sent email to ask for refund, saying i have no confidence in vehicle - head gasket is serious problem and whilst they may fix it, i'm concerned about ongoing problems. Can anyone advise about my rights? Dealer has called me, and i hope it will be ok, but i have so much stress in my life at the moment that i don't feel my usual assertive self. I loved the van, the dealer are well known - but someone i know who is a mechanic has advised me to walk away and that it won't necessarily be fixable or trustworthy after a fix. Gutted - and without wheels, and have let the 30 day mark pass due to having to find a local specialist garage first, and then transfer back to dealer for them to book in for investigation. The breakdown was on day 15 after purchase. 
Any experts out there? i suspect i'll get a call from dealer... just wanting to have a sense of my rights given the situation. 

neilmcl

The 30 day right to reject gets paused from the point the breach in contract takes place until the point a suitable remedy has been provided, therefore you are still able to reject should you wish.

Aylesbury_Duck

At what point did you notify them of the problem, and why has it taken six weeks to get it back to them? Your delay or theirs?

Cotswoldtony

Hi, you have not told us the make, model or year of the campervan but here is some information that should help.
If you like the campervan the engine can be fixed but you need to ask to see proof of the following.
The cylinder head needs to be removed dismantled and pressure tested for any internal cracks caused by overheating, then if o k it will need to be machined to ensure a perfect surface for reassembly.
New radiator, water pump, thermostat and hoses fitted if more than 5 years old or high mileage.
When finished the cooling system will need bleeding then test equipment put on to test the cooling system pressure remains low.
Quick cheap head gasket replacement is not a professional fix.

joolsbfd

neilmcl said:

The 30 day right to reject gets paused from the point the breach in contract takes place until the point a suitable remedy has been provided, therefore you are still able to reject should you wish.

thank you that is really helpful. 

joolsbfd

Aylesbury_Duck said:

At what point did you notify them of the problem, and why has it taken six weeks to get it back to them? Your delay or theirs?

emailed them straight away. it's taken a while as i took to a local toyota garage who diagnosed and said they couldn't fix, so then had to get it back to the dealer, hundreds of miles away - and then they had to get local mechanic to look at it, strip engine etc. it's now going to an engineers .. they thought about replacement engine but can't find one. all making me very nervous. i do trust the dealer though... 
 

joolsbfd

Cotswoldtony said:

Hi, you have not told us the make, model or year of the campervan but here is some information that should help.
If you like the campervan the engine can be fixed but you need to ask to see proof of the following.
The cylinder head needs to be removed dismantled and pressure tested for any internal cracks caused by overheating, then if o k it will need to be machined to ensure a perfect surface for reassembly.
New radiator, water pump, thermostat and hoses fitted if more than 5 years old or high mileage.
When finished the cooling system will need bleeding then test equipment put on to test the cooling system pressure remains low.
Quick cheap head gasket replacement is not a professional fix.

thank you. thats what's making me nervous.. i DO think a very reputable company, but it's the amount of work that may be required, and what might happen down the line that worries me. it's an old van (96) but it was immaculate.. looks new.. not massive mileage, toyota so reliable make (as much as anything can be)
freind mechanic said it may just cause probems down line, and who's repsonsible, and cylinder heads cant be sourced . I'm out my depth.. prepared for spending money on things that go wrong, but had hoped that it wouldn't be the thing that usually results in scrapping most vehicles. Thanks for the info though........
 i like the van. 

mattyprice4004

I wouldn't listen to your friend with regards to cylinder heads - I've just sourced a set of heads for a V8 from the 1960s. 
They won't be new, but you'll be able to get a 2nd hand head and have it refaced and rebuilt to 'as new' standard.