My brand new car is faulty

Langtang

I purchased a new car on the 11th of Sept 2023, and picked it up 12 days later. 

On the 28th of December the 12v battery failed. Roadside assistance jump started the car, but the battery failed when the car was switched off again. I called the dealer the same day, but they said they couldn’t look at the car until the 22nd of January. The car sat in my driveway until the 22nd Jan. 

I drove the car to the dealer on the 22nd, after jump starting it again, and they called me on the 24th to say they had run all their tests but couldn’t diagnose the problem, so they were in discussion with the manufacturer regarding further tests to run. I was to be kept updated on the progress. 

Every time it is me who calls the garage as they never get in touch. I am always told that no one is available, they are on a training course, on their lunch etc. Then when I do get an update, it is only that they are still running tests and still in conversation with the manufacturer. As of today (14th feb) the car is still at the dealer, and they are still running tests. 

I am now of the mind that if they cannot find the fault, I should be getting a new car or a refund. What are my rights in this regard?
As an aside, there was a tear in the rear leather seat that I found a few days after collecting the car - which the dealer has said they will replace (but not before them taking photos and sending to the manufacturer to see if it is “covered” under the warranty)
I got the car ceramic coated by an independent detailer a few weeks after collecting the car. He called me before starting the work to say the paintwork was in a terrible condition. I called the dealer who, after denying it was them, accepted that they had polished the car electrically before I collected the car. I asked for them to pay for the extra prep work involved - c£200 - which they have not said they will do yet. The detailer has managed to remove all the bad marks in the paintwork. 

Sorry this is so long-winded, and I would be most grateful for any direction as to my rights in this case. 

lisyloo

Rejecting a car - your consumer rights | The Car Expert

Reject it, but you really need to get on with it.
Stick to the facts but assert your rights.

Keep_pedalling

Have they given you a loan car while yours is kaput?

born_again

Langtang said:

I purchased a new car on the 11th of Sept 2023, and picked it up 12 days later. 

On the 28th of December the 12v battery failed. Roadside assistance jump started the car, but the battery failed when the car was switched off again. I called the dealer the same day, but they said they couldn’t look at the car until the 22nd of January. The car sat in my driveway until the 22nd Jan. 

I drove the car to the dealer on the 22nd, after jump starting it again, and they called me on the 24th to say they had run all their tests but couldn’t diagnose the problem, so they were in discussion with the manufacturer regarding further tests to run. I was to be kept updated on the progress. 

Every time it is me who calls the garage as they never get in touch. I am always told that no one is available, they are on a training course, on their lunch etc. Then when I do get an update, it is only that they are still running tests and still in conversation with the manufacturer. As of today (14th feb) the car is still at the dealer, and they are still running tests. 

I am now of the mind that if they cannot find the fault, I should be getting a new car or a refund. What are my rights in this regard?

As an aside, there was a tear in the rear leather seat that I found a few days after collecting the car - which the dealer has said they will replace (but not before them taking photos and sending to the manufacturer to see if it is “covered” under the warranty)

I got the car ceramic coated by an independent detailer a few weeks after collecting the car. He called me before starting the work to say the paintwork was in a terrible condition. I called the dealer who, after denying it was them, accepted that they had polished the car electrically before I collected the car. I asked for them to pay for the extra prep work involved - c£200 - which they have not said they will do yet. The detailer has managed to remove all the bad marks in the paintwork. 

Sorry this is so long-winded, and I would be most grateful for any direction as to my rights in this case. 

So what car is this & is this a Brand new car of just new to you?

Langtang

lisyloo said:

Rejecting a car - your consumer rights | The Car Expert

Reject it, but you really need to get on with it.
Stick to the facts but assert your rights.

Thank you for your reply. I have a couple of questions:

1. Are you saying that I have a right to reject this, given the issue that I have? Ok, I have the right, but do you think it is a justifiable fault on which to reject the car? 
2. I am nearing the 6 month point in ownership, although the fault appeared in December - 3 months after purchasing it. Does the 3 months ownership apply, seeing as if failed in December. 

Langtang

Keep_pedalling said:

Have they given you a loan car while yours is kaput?

Funny you should ask that. When I called the dealer in December to report the fault, they told me they didn’t do courtesy cars and hadn’t done for some time. Fast forward to Jan 22nd and I am then being told that they do give courtesy cars but they didn’t have one at present. I eventually got one, and still have it, the following week. 

Langtang

born_again said:

Langtang said:

I purchased a new car on the 11th of Sept 2023, and picked it up 12 days later. 

So what car is this & is this a Brand new car of just new to you?

The make isn’t important, but it is a brand new car. It only has c500 miles on the clock so far. 

born_again

Langtang said:

born_again said:

Langtang said:

I purchased a new car on the 11th of Sept 2023, and picked it up 12 days later. 

So what car is this & is this a Brand new car of just new to you?

The make isn’t important, but it is a brand new car. It only has c500 miles on the clock so far. 

Ok.
Just wondering as some have known issues.
EV by any chance?

Langtang

born_again said:

Langtang said:

born_again said:

Langtang said:

I purchased a new car on the 11th of Sept 2023, and picked it up 12 days later. 

So what car is this & is this a Brand new car of just new to you?

The make isn’t important, but it is a brand new car. It only has c500 miles on the clock so far. 

Ok.
Just wondering as some have known issues.
EV by any chance?

OK, it's not an ev but it is a phev. 

Aylesbury_Duck

Why the evasiveness?  People are better placed to help if they have all the information.  Drip-feeding information just slows the whole thing down, and some who might otherwise have helped won't be bothered.

Hoenir

Langtang said:

born_again said:

Langtang said:

I purchased a new car on the 11th of Sept 2023, and picked it up 12 days later. 

So what car is this & is this a Brand new car of just new to you?

The make isn’t important, but it is a brand new car. It only has c500 miles on the clock so far. 

Do you ever drive it far or for very long?