Used Car Issue

Moover

Hi, I would appreciate advice if anyone is able to offer some thanks ...

I bought a used car (2010 reg) from a trade seller 9 months ago.  I paid both the deposit and balance on the same credit card.

A circular pattern of rust that was covered over at the time around the fuel inlet became visible a few months after buying.  Now the fuel inlet has come loose.  My suspicion i this was previously fixed but a proper job was not done. 

I took it to a local garage who weren't able to fix it (no complaints there, I think sending me on my way rather than botching something is good practice) and advised me this isn't a fault that should occur, and said I should contact the seller / manufacturer / credit card company.

I'm wondering what rights (if any) to redress I have here and what the best way to go about improving the situation I'm in is?

Thanks in advance to anyone able to offer any guidance.

Moover

In case my post isn't clear - the fuel inlet isn't just a bit loose - it is detached from the body of the car and falls halfway down behind the hole so it re-attaching.

[Deleted User]

It's a 14 year old car, many would consider that to be at end-of-life (it's around the average age where cars are scrapped).

I can't see that you have any rights, bodge it until the car dies?
It's almost certainly not worth spending any money on...

TELLIT01

I don't think you have any rights.  Even if sold with a warranty, the warranty would be for mechanical failure not rust.  You need to take the car to a body shop, not a garage where a car would be serviced.  They will almost certainly be able to fix it  but I can't imagine it will be cheap.

I would however question the claim that 14 years for a modern car is anything like end-of-life.  My wife's car is 17 years old and still going strong.  I still see many, many older cars than that on the road.

Moover

Thanks for the responses, seems like there's no likelihood of anything consumer rights related coming to the rescue - which is better to know than wonder about so thank you both for helping guide me with that. 

Hadn't realised that it was a body shop I needed so that's helpful too thank you - looks like the next step is to get along to one to get a price and then take it from there.

forgotmyname

TELLIT01 said:

I would however question the claim that 14 years for a modern car is anything like end-of-life.  My wife's car is 17 years old and still going strong.  I still see many, many older cars than that on the road.

It is a strange term to use but it's mentioned that way because manufacturers only have to provide parts for a vehicle for 10years.  So quite possible to have a car
over 10 years old with a fault where parts cannot be sourced new.  I know a few Mitsubishi models have issues sourcing genuine or even aftermarket parts due
to the small numbers sold it's probably not cost effective to make aftermarket parts for them.

km1500

If you want a do it  yourself job which might not look pretty but at least will save you money. then look at fixing with a fibre glass repair kit

However, before doing this, I would just ask the garage if they would consider it an mot failure if it wasn't fixed properly

born_again

forgotmyname said:

TELLIT01 said:

I would however question the claim that 14 years for a modern car is anything like end-of-life.  My wife's car is 17 years old and still going strong.  I still see many, many older cars than that on the road.

It is a strange term to use but it's mentioned that way because manufacturers only have to provide parts for a vehicle for 10years.  So quite possible to have a car
over 10 years old with a fault where parts cannot be sourced new.  I know a few Mitsubishi models have issues sourcing genuine or even aftermarket parts due
to the small numbers sold it's probably not cost effective to make aftermarket parts for them.

14 years is the average lifespan of cars. Many last a lot longer. Look at all the vintage cars that are pre WW1. Then look at Co-Part & all the less than a couple of years old that are wrecked.