VAG main dealer going back on the agreed deal after the deposit has been paid

eskbanker

DontAcceptBullying said:

I really cannot understand that they are not worried about their reputation. This is my sons first car, who lives a mile away from the dealer, starting a new career and will be buying new cars in the future. The 'ripples' of going back on their word will cost them a lot more than the cam belt!

I think you overestimate the scale and significance of those ripples, and you certainly overestimate the degree to which car dealers care about their reputation!  In the social media era, it's way easier to sling mud around (however justifiable), so negative reviews, etc, are unavoidable and are unlikely to have the impact you perhaps perceive them to have - that's not to say that a high-end dealer won't make more effort to satisfy longstanding loyal customers with an extensive history of repeat high-value purchases, but a youngster making their first purchase of something modest from a mainstream dealer really doesn't have the influence that they might think....

[Deleted User]

DontAcceptBullying said:

@Aylesbury_Duck, Yes I would like the dealer to stick with the original deal and for my son not to have to pay out for the replacement cambelt.  Reading the comments, it sounds like the small claims court is my next option.

I really cannot understand that they are not worried about their reputation. This is my sons first car, who lives a mile away from the dealer, starting a new career and will be buying new cars in the future. The 'ripples' of going back on their word will cost them a lot more than the cam belt!

Your son doesn't need to pay out for a new cambelt. It doesn't need changing.

The salesperson made a mistake.
They should have told you that the belt did not require replacement and ended the conversation there.

You have evidence from the supplying dealer that it doesn't need changing, if it should happen to fail within warranty period (I'm guessing 1-2years?) you have an exceptionally strong case for them to cover all costs.

Even if a new belt was fitted, the warranty period would be the same (they don't warranty the life of the belt).

Why would you go small claims rather than just ask for the deposit to be returned?

You're not happy with VAG policy, the response will be the same at all franchised dealers.

Perhaps time to walk away and find another brand?

Aylesbury_Duck

DontAcceptBullying said:

@Aylesbury_Duck, Yes I would like the dealer to stick with the original deal and for my son not to have to pay out for the replacement cambelt.  Reading the comments, it sounds like the small claims court is my next option.

I really cannot understand that they are not worried about their reputation. This is my sons first car, who lives a mile away from the dealer, starting a new career and will be buying new cars in the future. The 'ripples' of going back on their word will cost them a lot more than the cam belt!

I would go elsewhere instead.  Aren't you worried about how any future problems with the car will be dealt with if you think poorly of their ways of working?  I agree with the others that you're overestimating the 'ripples' here.  No one's going to be interested in what is an administrative error when there are so many genuinely dodgy dealers around.  It does seem bizarre to push through a purchase and to then take legal action, when surely the better option is to demand the order is cancelled and the deposit returned?  If your son isn't starting the apprenticeship until September there's loads of time to look for an alternative car, and unless it's a particularly rare model or specification he absolutely must have, there are loads of cars for sale.

Asking to cancel the deal might initiate a change of heart from the dealer, in any case.

sheramber

Can you sue for something that doesn’t need done. 

The offer was made when it was thought the belt needed changed shortly.

It has now been confirmed that this particular model does not need it changed in the near 

Somebody made a mistake which they are entitled to rectify. 

They can do this by refunding the deposit.

DontAcceptBullying

@eskbanker, Just to let you know that I have contacted Citizens Advice and they agree that the Dealer is in breach of their contract and they have given me a nicely worded letter to send to them in the first instance, before legal action, should it get that far.  Thank you for your comments.

photome

DontAcceptBullying said:

@eskbanker, Just to let you know that I have contacted Citizens Advice and they agree that the Dealer is in breach of their contract and they have given me a nicely worded letter to send to them in the first instance, before legal action, should it get that far.  Thank you for your comments.

Your son doesn’t need to pay out for a new cam belt as it doesn’t need replacing.

many have asked for wording of the email re ,they would change it

if it is that black and white, many have said just get a refund …why don’t you want to do that ?

have you been in and spoken to the sales manager or dealer principal 

saajan_12

DontAcceptBullying said:

I really cannot understand that they are not worried about their reputation. This is my sons first car, who lives a mile away from the dealer, starting a new career and will be buying new cars in the future. The 'ripples' of going back on their word will cost them a lot more than the cam belt!

Even if it does make more sense for them to just replace the belt than argue the toss, lose son's repeat business, risk reputational damage, etc, it doesnt help you. There can be internal incentives to have this car off their books, or individual sales targets where they don't care about the future, or just plain stubborness.  Regardless if they don't want to make the more rational choice, that's their loss, but its not your gain. 

pinkshoes

DontAcceptBullying said:

@Aylesbury_Duck, Yes I would like the dealer to stick with the original deal and for my son not to have to pay out for the replacement cambelt.  Reading the comments, it sounds like the small claims court is my next option.

I really cannot understand that they are not worried about their reputation. This is my sons first car, who lives a mile away from the dealer, starting a new career and will be buying new cars in the future. The 'ripples' of going back on their word will cost them a lot more than the cam belt!

What are you going to claim for? If you claim £600 for a future cambelt change, their defence will be that the car will not need a cambelt change in its life time, so no £600 required.

You're much better off just accepting the full tank of fuel, then IF there's an issue with the cambelt within the next few years, use your Consumer Rights to claim off the garage, as you have plenty of evidence.

powerful_Rogue

Just thinking...........

Garage agrees. You take it back. Sits in their workshop for the day with nothing being done to it.

There you go sir, one new cambelt supplied and fitted.

Ectophile

photome said:

DontAcceptBullying said:

@SaverRate, The intervals have changed from 4 years to 5 to 6..... Unfortunately I have experience of one going and writing off the engine! The main dealer eventually paid for it as it was under warranty. 

My issue that they have gone back on the agreement and cost my son £600 to £800! 

   Most VAG cam belt intervals were 5 years but have now been changed to lifetime or 150000 miles I think

Let's face it.  A "lifetime" belt means that VAG thinks it will last longer than the warranty on the car.

When the belt snaps on an older car, the car will probably be scrap.  So the belt will last the life of the car!