Head gasket has blown on new (used) car after 6 weeks !

ddthedog

Coolant and oil levels were fine when the aa came out but they did a pressure test which should the head gasket had gone. Next day the garage called and said it was all cooked out.

so what am I meant to do with the car if i am looking to take the dealership to small claims?

Aylesbury_Duck

ddthedog said:

Coolant and oil levels were fine when the aa came out but they did a pressure test which should the head gasket had gone. Next day the garage called and said it was all cooked out.

so what am I meant to do with the car if i am looking to take the dealership to small claims?

If the seller won't accept it back, you'll have to store it until the dealer reacts to your letter before action or the court case has been heard.  

caprikid1

"a new engine shouldn’t cost the value of the car. "

It frequently does unfortunately, Landrover Discovery's are very prone to it.

I cannot see where the OP has confirmed the age and model of car etc

ddthedog

powerful_Rogue said:

Ectophile said:

screech_78 said:

How old is the car and how many miles were on the clock when you bought it? 

Does it matter?  How does it affect the OP's legal rights under the Consumer Rights Act?

It does, as this is often brought up in regards to second hand cars.  Sure someone will be along to quote the actual legislation, but as a summary:

The law states that a vehicle must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. To be of satisfactory quality, a car must not be faulty or broken when purchased, and it must be of a standard that a reasonable person would expect, taking into account its age and mileage if it’s secondhand. An older car with more miles on the clock is not expected to be as good as a newer one with a lower mileage, although both should be roadworthy, reliable and of a quality consistent with their age and the price paid. https://www.whatcar.com/news/your-legal-rights-if-something-goes-wrong-with-your-car/n3307

Business Companion also gives an example:

A consumer buys a 10-year-old car from you for £3,500. You fully disclose all the known history of the car, including its having travelled 120,000 miles and had four previous owners. After four months, a fault develops with the clutch, which needs to be replaced. Industry experience shows that clutches on this model of car typically need replacing on average after eight years or 100,000 miles. This is likely to be deemed 'fair wear and tear' and so the car would not be unsatisfactory under the CRA.

https://www.businesscompanion.info/focus/car-traders-and-consumer-law/part-2-consumer-rights-act

the car was £3k with 120k miles on clock - you expect a head gasket to go around 200k so i would not deem it ware and tear 

Mutton_Geoff

ddthedog said:

the car was £3k with 120k miles on clock - you expect a head gasket to go around 200k so i would not deem it ware and tear 

Not true. Where did you find that info?

Mildly_Miffed

ddthedog said:

the car was £3k with 120k miles on clock - you expect a head gasket to go around 200k so i would not deem it ware and tear 

Head gaskets don't just fail on their own, no matter the mileage. They fail because of external causes, almost always overheating.

The most common cause of overheating is loss of coolant due to a leak - either a slow gradual leak that's not been noticed because fluid levels aren't being regularly checked, or sudden because of stone damage to the radiator or a hose failure. Does the car have a low coolant level warning light?

The other possibilities especially in high ambient temperatures include rad fans not working, or a badly silted or corroded radiator - but both would require the driver to keep driving in the face of a rising temperature gauge.

The vendor might be liable for coolant loss even in a cheap, elderly car - but wouldn't be liable for damage arising from failure to do basic fluid level checks. They certainly wouldn't be liable for sudden loss.

facade

Mildly_Miffed said:

<snip>

The other possibilities especially in high ambient temperatures include rad fans not working, or a badly silted or corroded radiator - but both would require the driver to keep driving in the face of a rising temperature gauge.

<snip>

What is this "temperature gauge" of which you speak?

Most manufacturers deleted them as a penny pinching exercise around 2005 or so.

Now you just get a red "Engine seizing- NOW!!!!" light, a few seconds before the engine locks up. 

Tbh, if I had to choose I'd rather have a temperature gauge than a fuel gauge, I can easily zero the trip and fill up every 250 miles.