Not the right vehicle

JohnnyAxiom

Hello, just after some advice. I bought a high mileage van in January. I bought it to run around town and it has been great. The other day I drove it Scotland and it would not get above 60mph. I took it to a garage and to my surprise it has the wrong engine!! I was told be the salesman it was a 1.7 diesel, the mechanic says it’s a 1.3!! It says 1.7 on the sales invoice. Do I have any comeback? When the van is full it has no power at all. Many thanks. This is my first post so I hope I’ve done it right….

pinkshoes

A 1.3 litre engine on a van is unlikely to give it a top speed of 60 mph. 

Are you sure it hasn't been limited to 57 mph? Lots of business use vans have a limiter on them. 

If the garage you took it to didn't mention this then I'd question the garage!! They should know this.

Vans in general are sluggish to drive compared to cars.

But yes if you bought a 1.7L and its only 1.3L then go back to the garage! (But get a competent garage to check this!)

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

As it sounds as if you purchased from a dealer rather than a private person, as I doubt they can repair or replace you'd be entitled to reject the van under the Consumer Rights Act for a refund due to the engine size being incorrect, with a deduction imposed for the use you've had  

Penguin_

What does your paperwork say from the dealer?

daveyjp

More likely to be a limiter,  especially if previous user was a large organisation such as a delivery company, Openreach, Post Office etc

Robbo66

I have a high mileage Renault minibus its a 2.5 non turbo, the max i got speed wise without the thing shaking itself to bits was 60 - 65. Have recently changed the tyres and changed the profile slightly 175 down to 170 and now I can cruise happily at 70. Might be worth checking what tyres it has and changing the profile

eskbanker

Robbo66 said:

I have a high mileage Renault minibus its a 2.5 non turbo, the max i got speed wise without the thing shaking itself to bits was 60 - 65. Have recently changed the tyres and changed the profile slightly 175 down to 170 and now I can cruise happily at 70. Might be worth checking what tyres it has and changing the profile

Changing tyre sizes needs to be handled very carefully, but 170 or 175 will be the width, not the profile (which is the sidewall height expressed as a percentage of the width).

lincroft1710

Isn't the engine size on the registration document?

Nearlyold

Is it sluggish all the way up to 60 - or does it get up to speed pretty sharply until it reaches 60 then won't go any higher?

Grumpy_chap

JohnnyAxiom said:

Hello, just after some advice. I bought a high mileage van in January. I bought it to run around town and it has been great. The other day I drove it Scotland and it would not get above 60mph. I took it to a garage and to my surprise it has the wrong engine!! I was told be the salesman it was a 1.7 diesel, the mechanic says it’s a 1.3!! It says 1.7 on the sales invoice. Do I have any comeback? When the van is full it has no power at all. Many thanks. This is my first post so I hope I’ve done it right….

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

As it sounds as if you purchased from a dealer rather than a private person, as I doubt they can repair or replace you'd be entitled to reject the van under the Consumer Rights Act for a refund due to the engine size being incorrect, with a deduction imposed for the use you've had  

Did the OP buy the van as a private individual or in connection with a business or trade?
This could impact the rights that apply.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Grumpy_chap said:

JohnnyAxiom said:

Hello, just after some advice. I bought a high mileage van in January. I bought it to run around town and it has been great. The other day I drove it Scotland and it would not get above 60mph. I took it to a garage and to my surprise it has the wrong engine!! I was told be the salesman it was a 1.7 diesel, the mechanic says it’s a 1.3!! It says 1.7 on the sales invoice. Do I have any comeback? When the van is full it has no power at all. Many thanks. This is my first post so I hope I’ve done it right….

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

As it sounds as if you purchased from a dealer rather than a private person, as I doubt they can repair or replace you'd be entitled to reject the van under the Consumer Rights Act for a refund due to the engine size being incorrect, with a deduction imposed for the use you've had  

Did the OP buy the van as a private individual or in connection with a business or trade?
This could impact the rights that apply.

Good point  

OP would have to clarify usage and if for trade, etc look to the Sale of Goods Act for recourse over the engine size.

Info on the description of the van on the advert would be useful too.