Used car issue

Andy180275

Evening all. Hoping for advice and reassurance that laws on my side.!?

Basically bought used car (2012 Honda Civic) from local used car company on 12 Nov. Less than 6 weeks later (and possibly less than 100 miles later!), car broke down on Christmas eve only few miles from home. Turns out spark plug has blown out and damaged threads on way out. 

Garage where car was taken confirm this. Maybe fairly straight forward fix or worst case scenario a new engine (waiting for specialist to confirm whats required). Will be fair size bill to massive bill in any case which i obviously really dont fancy having to pay!? 

I've read up as much as possible on this kind of thing happening and presume Consumer Rights Act would be on my side where the place i bought it from would be responsible? Says a chance to fix, replace or refund? No doubt seller will put up fight or deny issue, so do i just try nicely or get advice and get solicitor involved straight away?

I hope the laws with me. Any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Andy.

born_again

When was car last serviced?

Should be a simple fix by a decent garage using a Helicoil kit.

Andy180275

born_again said:

When was car last serviced?

Should be a simple fix by a decent garage using a Helicoil kit.

Last May according to logbook. I'm a little sceptical of the garage cars at unfortunately also. Not my regular. "RAC approved" apparently. Pretty poor upto now, had car a month and only confirmed fault. 3 weeks chasing a specialist, no communication, not impressed. 

Think if i'd done "normal" mileage in the time i've had it, would have certainly gone bang within the 30 days, but hadnt actually used it that much since getting it, hence into week 5 before it happened.

bris

After 5 weeks may cause you problems getting a resolution from the garage.

You can't presume anything as a 10 year old car comes with wear and tear built in, they just need a report to state it's wear and tear and just bad luck any you have to prove otherwise. Not easy to do in a 10 year old car. 

Andy180275

bris said:

After 5 weeks may cause you problems getting a resolution from the garage.

You can't presume anything as a 10 year old car comes with wear and tear built in, they just need a report to state it's wear and tear and just bad luck any you have to prove otherwise. Not easy to do in a 10 year old car. 

I understand the wear and tear reasoning. I'm looking more at the "fit for purpose, last a reasonable length of time" argument with the consumer rights. Its said its assumed a faults there at purchase if it surfaces in first six months, i didnt get to six weeks!? Best part of £6000 for a car that lasts less than 100 mile doesnt sound like good value for money to me. That's the angle i'm going for. Car doesnt have big miles on it either, very normal amount. Thanks for reply though.