Advice on recent faulty purchase

SaintyE

Hi All,

Any advice is truly appreciated. Firstly having reflected, I cannot believe how naive I have been, as I am usually quite sharp and on the ball with buying things.

To summarise:

• I had seen a used 2006 VW Polo for sale on a reputable car selling website. It has passed all full checks on the car
• I had the exact same car many years ago, so know it quite well
• I went to the car dealer on Saturday to view it and test drive it. On the test drive, it struggled to accelerate to 30mph (especially up hills)
• They changed the rear tyres (I pointed this had been on the advisories) and apparently serviced it when I was there (no servicing paper work provided)
• We test drove it again, still quite a similar drive - but seemed to be a bit better
• I ended up taking it and doing a bank transfer (I only want it for a year) it drives well - however, it struggled to do 60mph on the motorway and the I had been overtaken by about 90% of cars
• I called the dealership when I got home and he said to talk on Tuesday as they are closing, but they could discuss me coming down for them to look at it again and/or choosing another car
• When at the car dealer I took out a 12 month warranty and as part of the warranty stipulation I will need to take the car for a diagnostic test at an approved garage in the first 30 days or 1000 miles - at this point I am not sure if this will cost me anything, I will have to call RAC warranty on Tuesday to find out.

My questions if anyone can help:

1. Should I just take it straight back to the dealer and see if they can fix it and if not, ask for a refund? The idea of going back on the motorway at a speed of 40mph - 60mph does not fill me with joy. 
2. Am I within my rights to get a complete refund if they cannot fix it?
3. If I take it to an approved garage for an initial diagnostic test, will this hinder chances of a refund (claiming someone has tampered with the car) or will it help my case?

Thank you very much

diystarter7

" for sale on a reputable car selling website" - That counts for little it's the dealer you should be checking out.
Tell them you don't feel safe as the car struggles to reach 60 and getting to 40 is hard and therefore dangerous to take on the motorway and see what they say.

Sorry, but why on earth did you buy it when you knew it was not right?

forgotmyname

Warranty on a 16 year old car.  I can imagine the wording...      "If its car shaped then everything else is excluded"

Part of that warranty may stipulate a full and thorough service within 30 - 90 days.

[Deleted User]

Get it back to the dealer for either a refund or chance to fix the problem.

Personally I wouldn't drive it any further, there is a risk it will breakdown completely before completing the journey or put you in danger due to the lack of power.

Depending on how far away your dealer is, could your breakdown cover provide a tow back to the dealer? If not, get the dealer to pick it up or authorise a local diagnostic / repair for you.

jimjames

SaintyE said:

• They changed the rear tyres (I pointed this had been on the advisories) and apparently serviced it when I was there (no servicing paper work provided)

How long were you there waiting? If they claimed to service it while you were there and you were waiting less than an hour then it sounds like the service was at best very superficial. The paperwork you were (not) given probably sums up exactly what was done.

SaintyE

Hi All,

Thank you very much for all your advice - it was much appreciated. 

If anyone is interested - I calmly informed the car dealership on the Tuesday that the car was not fit for purpose and there was a lot of back and fourths from their side. They couldn't supply a pick up truck to return it - I drove the car back reluctantly and at a very slow speed, at a distance of 35 miles down the motorway. They refunded me in full, there and then. 

A massive lesson not to rush into these things in the future and not feel pressured into a purchase. I lost £50 arrangement fee with the insurance and have now applied for a road tax refund.