Used Car Dealer not playing ball

Dave2TheCardboardBox

Sorry for the long thread, but the history is relevant:

Bought a used car 2 months ago with a 6 month dealer warranty. Cost £7k. The trader is a small oufit, working alongside an existing garage unit. Not a main dealer.

On test drive I identifed the air conditioning wasn't working and it was agreed this would be fixed before we took the car. On later inspection it was found we needed a new compressor but the trader said he'd source the part and we'd bring the car back for repairs. Date to be arranged.

Had the car for a day and it wouldn't start. Trader did come out and took the car, giving us a replacement, and replaced the battery. No sign of the AirCon pump yet.

A week or so later the car wouldn't start again. After an hour I got it started and drove back to the trader. It seems the glow plugs need to be replaced (it wasn't the battery at all). For this car the glow plugs are >£100 each, but trader said it's covered under the warranty and he'd get back to me with a date to bring the car in once he'd sourced parts. He performed a DPF re-gen.

Forward a week and had heard nothing, so messaged him. I was told it will be next week.
Another week passes and still no contact. Have sent WhatsApp messages (read), text messages and tried calling, but no answer on phone.

What should I do now? The only other option is to turn up at the delaership in person, but it's not that local.

With the cost of both repairs being north of £1000 I don't want to let this go, but have a feeling he's hoping I'm just going to go away.

Would trading standards be interested?

Thanks for any help.

jimjames

Dave2TheCardboardBox said:

Would trading standards be interested?

Probably not. Maybe a letter outlining your next steps if he doesn't sort it or like you say turn up in person. For a £7k car that's wiped all his profit and more so not surprising he's hoping you walk off

Dave2TheCardboardBox

Thank you. What would next steps be, assuming he refuses to fix the car? Get it fixed elsewhere and try and re-claim through small claims?

Dave2TheCardboardBox

Update - I went to the trader in person. He was quite shocked to see me.
It seems he was after second hand parts for my car (second hand Glow Plugs = good idea?). The Glow Plugs in question are about £120 each as they have a pressure sensor in them.
To try and get this resolved I agreed to pay £200 towards the parts (total cost was about £447). Left feeling relieved but then nothing happened. No call or message to say parts have been ordered and when to bring the car in...
Today I messaged him again and he wants ME to order the parts, and he'll pay half. I don't feel comforatable with this as I don't trust the guy and just feel like he's being slippery again.
Should I just stump up and hope for the best, or stand my ground? I've never been asked to buy parts on behalf of a garage before....
The car has got a 6 month parts and labour warranty. For what that's worth.

tedted

if this is a vw only one glow plug  has pressure sensor the rest are normal

Grumpy_chap

Dave2TheCardboardBox said:

It seems he was after second hand parts for my car
To try and get this resolved I agreed to pay £200 towards the parts

Fundamentally, you bought a second hand car, so all the parts are expected to be second hand.  If the part fails and is replaced by a second hand parts from a breakers and then fitted, you will have a second hand car with all the parts being second hand.
It is a logical position to take, even if not one you are keen on.

Did you agree to pay the £200 or did you actually pay the £200?  Make sure anything you do pay is on credit card if possible.

angrycrow

Sorry but chances of the car ever getting fixed seem slim to nil. Hindsight is wonderful and all that the lesson is if the car is up for sale with faults either accept the faults and negotiate accordingly or walk away. If they dealer has not sorted it prior to sale it's because he has no intention of sorting it and hopes you will give up. 

As you reported the fault within the first 30 days you can reject the car under short term right to reject. The 30 day clock stops when you report the fault and does not restart until it is fixed. The problem will be getting your money back. I fear the dealer will ignore you and ignore any judgement obtained against him. 

Other option is to repair it yourself and bill him followed by small claims court. Again chances of seeing any money are slim to nil. 

Is he trading as a limited company and if so how many has he had on Companies House. Common bottom of the barrel trader business model is to set up ltd company run up debts and then close it before reopening new company. All debts die with the old company.

Dave2TheCardboardBox

Thank you all for your comments. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that I'm not going to get anywhere with this and need to accept that I will have to pay for the repair myself.

I did do a Companies House check and the name they are trading under is not listed, so doubtless something dodgy going on there.

I'm going to get the car fixed and attempt a Section 75 claim back as I paid about 50% of the prurchase price on a credit card. Worth a punt, and they'll be receiving a very negative Auto Trader review, for what that's worth....

Castle

Dave2TheCardboardBox said:

Thank you all for your comments. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that I'm not going to get anywhere with this and need to accept that I will have to pay for the repair myself.

I did do a Companies House check and the name they are trading under is not listed, so doubtless something dodgy going on there.

I'm going to get the car fixed and attempt a Section 75 claim back as I paid about 50% of the prurchase price on a credit card. Worth a punt, and they'll be receiving a very negative Auto Trader review, for what that's worth....

Section 75 would cover all of the purchase price.