Used car and my rights

ButterCheese

Hello.  On Tuesday I test drove a VW Passat from a dealer, everything was fine so I put down a deposit.  I paid in full and drove it away on Friday and used it for a long trip at the weekend.  On 3 occasions now, it has locked me out, and the keyfob has not responded so I had to use the master key to re-programme the fob to get into the car.

I have phoned the dealer and they said take it in on Friday and they'll look at it.  My concern is that they might say "we've fixed it", doing the same thing as I did.  But as it's happened 3 times now in 3 days, I'm just wondering what rights I have.  Can I insist that they fit new parts to make it "as described" and "fit for purpose"?  If they fix it and it happens again, can I still reject the car?  If I have to forego some money I'd not mind too much, but it's a very annoying problem and I'm half afraid to drive it now in case it leaves me stranded and locked out (or unable to lock); it is a fiddly process which takes about 20 minutes.

Has anyone else had similar?  If the worst happens, what do you think is a reasonable financial penalty for me rejecting it after having done 750 miles in it?

Thank you

jimjames

How old is the car and what price did you pay? Was it a main dealer or back street one?

ButterCheese

It's a 2014 car.  Bought from a large dealer, I would say reputable as the number of positive reviews were very high

ButterCheese

sorry - it was £5495

Grumpy_chap

Has the key fob had a new battery?
If not, does it need one?

ButterCheese

Grumpy_chap said:

Has the key fob had a new battery?
If not, does it need one?

I'm pretty sure the battery is not the issue.  When it works, it works from far away without a direct line of sight.  And after I re-set it to the fob, it works perfectly until such a time as it randomly stops working altogether.  If it's anything like my old car, when the battery starts to go then you have to wave the fob 1 inch from the car!  I would have chnaged the battery anyway but I can't see how to do it, and don't want to break the fob

caprikid1

What mileage is on the car ? Seems quite a good price ?

ButterCheese

caprikid1 said:

What mileage is on the car ? Seems quite a good price ?

109,000. 

mluton

Easy battery change, I have a B7 passat CR2032 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oam0YprZ2TA

Mine has done it to me a few times and it was the battery replacing in the fob that solved the issue.

I'm assuming your having to use the plastic key, alarm going off to get in the car ? Do you have a spare ?

ButterCheese

great thank you.  Maybe it is the battery then.  I shall order a new one and try changing it.  Shows what I know about modern cars!

ButterCheese

mluton said:

Easy battery change, I have a B7 passat

Mine has done it to me a few times and it was the battery replacing in the fob that solved the issue.

I'm assuming your having to use the plastic key, alarm going off to get in the car ? Do you have a spare ?

Yes I used the plastic key, very fiddley so I've left the lock cover off for now.  No alarm went off though.  It says the new fob will need coding to the car again; so I'll need to take it to the garage anyway.  Or did yours work ok again?  I do have a spare somewhere but not much point keeping one if I need a garage to re-code it?