Car dealer sold Faulty Car

Oriordan97

Just wondering if anyone had some advice for me...

I purchased a car from a car dealer on Thursday 9th November and by Saturday 11th November I couldn't open the boot and there is a problem with the back windscreen meaning it can't be cleared and I am unable to see out the back. 
When I noticed the issues Ii told the deal and asked for a refund as I was no longer happy with the issues and the car makes a horrible noise when going over 50mph so I don't feel safe driving it. 
The dealer is refusing a refund and now the finance company are sending out an independent mechanic to look at the car and check over the issues. 

Just wondering if anyone had any advice on where I stand with getting my money back even if they dont find a more 'serious' issue?

Thank you. 

(Also the boot did open when I first left the dealer but when I got home it didn't)

born_again

Age of car etc?

Just what do you mean by back screen can't be cleared?

tacpot12

It sounds like the car has a number of defects that might, when added together, mean that the car is not off sufficient quality, even when taking its age into account. The car should not make a horrible noise at any speed, and not being able to see out of the back window is a safety concern. The car may not be roadworthy if you cannot see out of all the windows. Not being able to open the boot means you can't access the spare wheel, so again, the car isn't roadworthy.

If you have home insurance check to see if you have legal expenses cover. If you do, call the legal helpline offered by your insurer for more advice and support on rejecting the car. I would reject it for a full refund.

Even if the finance company's engineer says that the problems can be repaired easily, you don't have to accept this as a resolution, but you might want to do so if the car is somewhat unique in terms of its specification and colour, and you would be happy with it if the problems were all fixed.

Oriordan97

Thank you for getting back to me, the car is 2018 Fiat 500 with a convertible roof. 

It doesn’t have a back windscreen wiper as it’s convertible so the only way to clear this is with a button inside the car that doesn’t work. 

I thought the issues it has would be enough to get my money back but it’s proving very difficult! The staff at the dealers office are so rude which just makes me not want the car even more. 

I don’t want the car now and I just want my money back, I spoke to citizens advice and they told me I should get a refund but the car dealer is saying they are only minor issues and he cans fix them. He got me to go in on a sunday to look at it which I did but he said he couldn’t fix it as he was a mechanic ( so just wasted my time) the next day I went back with my dad and he said he would get a mechanic to look at it but they would be leaving in 5 mins so would be quick. I said no as I didn’t feel like a 5 minute look would fix the issue. 

Just feel very stuck and obviously don’t have the money to go to court sadly. 

Oriordan97

Also to add it’s done 24,000 miles

Grumpy_chap

Oriordan97 said:

It doesn’t have a back windscreen wiper as it’s convertible so the only way to clear this is with a button inside the car that doesn’t work. 

What is the button that you are considering as an alternative to the rear wiper?  
Is that a heated rear screen?
If so, these are not instant devices and nor do they clear water from the outside.  They will (slowly) clear frost (but you should be clearing that before setting off) and will clear or prevent internal condensation.
Are you expecting something to achieve something it won't?  That is not a fault if so.

Oriordan97 said:

the car makes a horrible noise when going over 50mph so I don't feel safe driving it. 

What is the nature of the "horrible noise" and from whereabouts does it originate?
This will help people here to comment whether the noise constitutes a fault.
It may well be a fault, but if it is simply trim rattle that is a different thing.
On the face of it, for there to be such a noise from only 50 mph does sound like it may very well be a significant fault.

Oriordan97 said:

I couldn't open the boot 

(Also the boot did open when I first left the dealer but when I got home it didn't)

This is probably the least of the issues as it very likely is an easy repair (such as a solenoid) and would not of itself be grounds to reject the car.


We really need to have a fuller detail of all the items so that the grounds for rejection can be commented on.  It is possible, as other suggested, there is no individual fault that would be sufficient for rejection but, collectively, they might be.

Alderbank

The tailgate release and the rear screen heater are inhibited when the roof is open. It is a known issue (not really a 'fault') that the computer system can get confused when the electric roof is opened and closed and needs to be reset.

OP, you say the boot opened OK when you collected the car but doesn't work now. Perhaps you have shown off the electric roof to family/friends? You might simply need to do a reset, instructions here: 
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=105376

Both tailgate and rear screen heater are powered through a bundle of flexible cables which flex every time the boot is opened and are known to break occasionally. It is expensive to replace the entire wiring harness (£600+) but a competent mechanic can repair a break quite easily. I don't think that would be considered a significant fault.

The 500c is a very small car and has a lot of road noise at speed. I don't know if that is a significant fault or not.

Oriordan97

I know the back windscreen is only to clear and prevent internal condensation and that is all I am expecting it to do but it does nothing. I also know that both the boot and the windscreen will do what's needed when the roof is shut and I haven't had the roof open due to the weather. 

The noise is a sound of loss of pressure/air and it happens intermittently, there is also a rattling noise coming from the back end of the car and I'm not sure if there is a fault or that's just the car as I know these kind of cars can be noisy anyway. When going over any kind of speed bump the car makes a horrible noise but again not sure if there is a fault or if this is just because of the car it is.

Ayr_Rage

@Oriordan97 were any of these issues apparent on your test drive?

Oriordan97

No, otherwise I would’ve said no straight away😩