Car finance - I think I've been sold an unfit car

Vauxhall89

Hi all

Me and my partner had a financed car with CarShop for 4 years, and traded in for a larger car due to some unfortunate circumstances.

But we have had non stop issues since the day of purchasing of the vehicle, I will try to quickly summarise.

We decided on a Suzuki Vitara (2017), the model we wanted they due to receive to their Doncaster centre (We're in Sheffield) and we paid £300 to have it rerouted to Sheffield. It was agreed we would take a final look as they didn't have any pictures before we would go ahead, including whether we wanted GardX. 

Once arrived we went to view, and they had the finance documents ready for us with GardX applied before we even saw the vehicle.. this was the first alarm, but we informed them we're viewing first. The car had some wear, including a rip in the leather on the seat, which we bought to their attention but still excited we agreed to take the car, and they would cut out the section with the rip and re-patch in the leather. (All they did was spray paint over it...)

This was in May, since then we have had to take the car back 4 times.

• Spare key didn't work
• Car often releases a strong petrol smell which apparently is normal for 'Japanese cars'
• Rattling and rolling inside the car, upon tearing up the under upholstery they found a mixture of items underneath there including a torch which was banging about.. they tried to charge us for this (the rattling has come back also..)
• Airbag was constantly disabled
• The in car phone system constantly disrupts/crackles/disconnections (never fixed, basically said they couldn't find an issue so doesn't exist..) so now we don't even use it
• No Logbook
• USB Connection from car to phone for Samsung auto doesn't always work.. has a mind of it's own
• Cigarette charger port wasn't working
• Foot well Fascia smashed in the back seat
• To repair rip on the leather on drivers eat which was spray painted instead

Then, at the weekend we got into the car with a warning light to replace the car's engine oil straight away, I called them to ask why we're getting this warning after 6 months, they said they serviced the car in May (book is stamped January, engine oil looks a little faded also) and they do not see why, so walked me through to just simply cancel the warning light. They also told us that we don't have the cover for Services/Mot's etc.. we paid for the top packaging, including services & extended warranty so they've messed up their paperwork, but we have proof.

At this stage. I doubt the car was ever inspected or even put through their so many point safety and guarantee steps.. all these issues in 6 months doesn't look promising for a 5 year finance.. we just want to simply buy a car, drive away and return in 4-5 years as we did before but we are not happy with the car and aren't even sure if the car is safe to be honest. https://www.carshop.co.uk/docs/carshop-preparation-standard.pdf 

My question is, what are my options.. to be honest I would love to just give the car back and walk away with the loss (£1000 deposit, and 6-7 monthly payments of £250) but I know this is probably not possible.. 

Any help is deeply appreciated.

Also, not important but frustrating on behalf of CarShop.. the first thing we did once we bought the car was take it to be professionally cleaned as the car was barely clean inside, and filthy in parts (Drink holders, back seats etc..)

Grumpy_chap

Vauxhall89 said:

My question is, what are my options.. to be honest I would love to just give the car back and walk away with the loss (£1000 deposit, and 6-7 monthly payments of £250) but I know this is probably not possible.. 

Your situation is complex but, given that you accept a cost is incurred related to the 6 months use of the car, what would you get if you simply sold to WBAC, Motorway, Arnold Clark etc?

That is not the "right" outcome but may be the pragmatic solution.

Vauxhall89

It seems around £800-900 less than the amount to clear the finance, which is definitely a not ideal but viable option, I would hate to think what surprises the car could crop up in a couple of years.

I'm also wondering how it to would work to trade in for a cheaper car, I don't understand the process for money spent and money outstanding etc (this is my 4th finance car and I've always completed the term without issues)

MalMonroe

Anything you buy in the UK has to be 'fit for purpose' and it doesn't sound like your car is. The first thing that puts me off CarShop is that they charged you £300 to move it from Doncaster to Sheffield. That's hardly any distance at all. (Around 23 miles, I know 'cos I'm in that area).

If I were you I'd contact Citizens Advice - 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/citizens-advice-consumer-work/the-consumer-rights-act-2015/

You DO have rights. Don't give up yet.

(Those faults you mention are NOT 'common' in any cars! What a cheek.)

I recommend Toyota, have used my local Toyota dealer for years and they transport cars from any of their branches for nothing.
Any problems, I go straight back to them and they sort it. No charge. But to be honest, I can't say that I've had any trouble with my Toyotas. Previously had a Yaris now have an Aygo. Any car I've ever bought from them has been valeted and cleaned thoroughly on the outside, even though they've only been around two to three years old. I have come to expect that kind of service and if it's not to my liking, I tell them, in a nice way of course. (They know me down there now! But in a good way. I think.)

Another couple of links for your information -

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/buying-and-running-a-car/your-rights-if-something-is-wrong-with-your-car

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/the-car-i-bought-has-a-problem-what-are-my-rights-aAnMC5b0ZzJb

I hope this is helpful. I think I'd definitely give CarShop a miss next time I wanted a car.

sourcrates

You should definitely make a complaint, don`t just roll over, the car is obviously not fit for purpose, I would demand that they sort it out to your satisfaction, you are best putting your complaint in writing, but they do advertise a customer care number on their website.

A quick look at their customer reviews shows an average 2 stars out of 5, from almost 300 reviews, so it appears you are not the only one with cause to complain, there reviews are all pretty much abysmal.

poppasmurf_bewdley

£300 to divert a car from Doncaster to Sheffield?  Why not just go to Doncaster? It's only 23 miles. 

chanz4

I had this car, and didnt stink of fuel

diggingdude

The £300 came off the sale price of the car surely 

MrFrugalFever

Other than the airbag and the connection issue, the rest are subject to ‘fair wear and tear’ and if you had in writing that they would remedy these issues then you have some recourse, if not, well put simply, you don’t.

The car hasn’t malfunctioned, broken down and you haven’t not been able to drive the car, therefore it is ‘fit for purpose’. 

Your best bet is to make good use of the current inflated used car prices and trade your way out of it, paying the difference between value and settlement should you be in to negative equity if you really want out.