Purchased a faulty car dealer doesn't want to give refund

losthere

I purchased an used Corsa last week. It was a 18 reg with low mileage. Within 2 days it has devolped problems; engine management light, other warning lights,  car shaking when in neutral and sometimes when driving and I've noticed a missing panel near the pedals.
The dealer assured me that the car undergoes a throught check before a customer collects the car. I don't understand how they didn't notice a missing panel.

I have asked for a refund but the dealer has advised they only give out refunds for major faults like a broken gearbox or leaks.
They have said they will examine the car and decide if I am eligible for a refund.
Can someone confirm this is the right process?

Alderbank

Did you visit the dealership in person or was it all done on line?

losthere

It was all over the phone as the dealer is far away. The car isn't in suitable condition to drive.

Grumpy_chap

losthere said:

It was all over the phone as the dealer is far away. The car isn't in suitable condition to drive.

If this was a totally remote purchase, so you chose the car, paid and it was then delivered to you (never visited the showroom even to collect), then the CCR apply for a remote purchase and you have 14 days to cancel for any (or no) reason:
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-contracts-regulations-ajWHC8m21cAk#cancelling-goods-and-services

losthere

Hi no it wasn't a remote purchase. We went to the dealer and viewed the car before purchase.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

losthere said:

I purchased an used Corsa last week. It was a 18 reg with low mileage. Within 2 days it has devolped problems; engine management light, other warning lights,  car shaking when in neutral and sometimes when driving and I've noticed a missing panel near the pedals.
The dealer assured me that the car undergoes a throught check before a customer collects the car. I don't understand how they didn't notice a missing panel.

I have asked for a refund but the dealer has advised they only give out refunds for major faults like a broken gearbox or leaks.
They have said they will examine the car and decide if I am eligible for a refund.
Can someone confirm this is the right process?

OP there are two avenues, either you can reject outright for a refund but the dealer can request you show the faults exists which would require someone to examine the car but that would be your choice of someone. I think in this instance it should be a full refund. 

The other is for them to repair (or replace) which would also require someone to examine the car, that being the dealer. 

If you do let them examine the car and they simply refund that would be positive all round, if they decide to repair and the faults are fixed that would also be positive.

If however after the dealer repairs the faults and they are still present, or come back again, you could then exercise the final right to reject for a refund. Specifically with the final right to reject, as this is a car, they could reduce the refund for the current week plus any time of use between them handing it back after the repair and you rejecting.

If you reject for a refund at any stage you would be responsible for the costs of returning the car to the place you took possession. 

If you opt for a repair the regs state the trader must bear any necessary costs incurred in doing so (including in particular the cost of any labour, materials or postage), you obviously can't post a car but cost of driving to the dealer would appear similar so I think they should cover that cost. 

I'm not a car person so can't really comment on the faults you describe, a post on the motoring board asking what these faults could translate to might help you decide whether you wish to let them look at and maybe refund or repair or whish to go for the right to reject for a refund but will probably need to get a garage to look at the car and give a "report" to show the faults are present with this option.