Arnold Clark - Faults with car

FingersCrossed2023

Hello,

I purchased a second hand car from Arnold Clark in April 2022. Within a few weeks of owning the car, a fault appeared on the dashboard which read 'AS&G System Service Required' and this function automatically turned to being switched off.

As it was within the 60 day warranty period, I called the service department and got it booked in for May 2022. Since then, my car has been back to Arnold Clark 5 times for repair of the same issue (and with the last visit resulting in the car being sent to Mitsubishi for repairs) and still the issue is present. Over the last 12 months, I must have had to visit around 10 times as they also need to understandably inspect and order parts before carrying out repairs. 

All of the repairs have been done free of charge but it has been so frustrating and I feel though I have been sold a car with a fault which can't be fixed. It doesn't seem to affect the drivability or the safety of the car (as far as I am aware!) but it is still a function which is meant to improve fuel sufficiency and doesn't work. Plus I would never have purchased in the first place if I knew I was going to have to take time away from work on so many occasions to drop off and pick up the car. 

Am I within my rights to refuse any further work to be done to the car, considering they haven't been able to fix it on the last 5 attempts, and instead claim a partial refund for the vehicle? Is this realistic?

Thanks! 

Aylesbury_Duck

Have you asked Arnold Clark for a resolution other than continual fixes?

You'd certainly be able to refuse any more work on the car, but whether they'd be prepared to offer a partial refund or not needs testing.

FingersCrossed2023

Thanks for your reply.

I have emailed the manager from the service team and asked what the next steps are now that they've tried 5 times with no luck. Yet to get a reply and unable to get through to the service team on the phone (which is an ongoing issue!). 

I have also emailed the customer service team and explained the issue and work that has been completed so far and have asked for a partial refund but also awaiting a reply. 

Alderbank

AS&G is Mitsubishi's version of auto stop and go.

These things are supposed to save the planet, and save a little fuel, by stalling the engine when stopped at traffic lights instead of allowing it to idle.
All of them can be temperamental. A lot of drivers don't like them and just switch them off.
Fortunately that is easy in a Mitsi. You deactivate the system by pressing the “Auto Stop & Go (AS&G) OFF” switch.
Not really worth worrying about too much.

FingersCrossed2023

Thanks, I do understand it's not a major issue and is easy to turn off but it is still frustrating that there is a fault with it when this wasn't disclosed at the time of purchase and seems unable to be fixed. 

Lorian

I too have a little sympathy with them ISG are terrible systems to keep working. There are lots of things that can cause it to fail.

If they pull the ECU code though it will tell them which component is playing up - assuming they have the right diagnostics kit. there are typically as many as 8 things that need to be working.

It's worth checking your battery is fully charged and a brake light bulb hasn't failed - everything above those needs that diagnostic code.

Aylesbury_Duck

If that's all it is, and you otherwise like the car, don't worry about it.  It certainly doesn't seem good grounds on which to reject the car.

FingersCrossed2023

@lorain The error codes have been pulled 5 times and it either shows a battery issue or clutch switch issue. Both have been replaced twice but it has not resolved the problem.

@Aylesbury_Duck I certainly don't plan to reject the car but if I am left with the function not working as designed, I was hoping they might consider a small partial refund, especially as it doesn't seem clear what is causing the issue and for all the times I have had to return to the garage. 

born_again

These systems have quite strict criteria for them to work.

They are the original emissions cheat. As they are designed to cut emission's, but will never ever work 100% of the time.

Grumpy_chap

FingersCrossed2023 said:

Am I within my rights to refuse any further work to be done to the car, considering they haven't been able to fix it on the last 5 attempts, and instead claim a partial refund for the vehicle? Is this realistic?

What (how much) would you want as a partial refund?
It will be reduced from the purchase price to reflect the year of use you had so far.

How does that "partial refund" compare with simply selling the car to WBAC / Motorway or similar?

The latter may be simpler as it does not involve the original trader swallowing any pride.

sheramber

Do you mean to return the car or do you want a partial refund and to keep the car?