Faulty Cupra Born - need to return.

rainbow143

 I bought a new Cupra Born on PCP on 19th May 2025.

It wasn’t functioning properly when I picked it up – I couldn't connect to the App, which is required for full access to all functions.

The salesman said it would right itself within a couple of hours, so I left the garage.

The fault persisted, and to cut a very long story short, the car returned to the workshop last week for the second time, but the fault remains.  The manager has stated that many Cupra Born currently have this fault. Having Googled this, I can confirm that many owners are complaining about this fault since 2024.

I have hardly used the car as I have little confidence in it.  It just sits on my drive.

The dealership is now contacting Cupra for advice.  Whilst I was in the dealership, I noticed an offer of 100 days Love me or Leave me.  So I can return the car within 100 days if I’m not happy with it.  There will be financial penalties, but I was seriously considering this.

However, I cannot use this offer as there is a fault in the car, the100 days is up 27th August.  At the rate at speed Cupra works, I doubt very much that the fault will be resolved by then, if at all.

First time I have ever used PCP, and regretting that decision as I am having to deal with the Cupra Finance, not the dealership. I have written to Cupra Finance to inform them I wish to return the car due to the fault.

Does anyone have any advice as to what my legal status is, please?  

Keep_pedalling

I had a similar problem with the VW ID3 purchased back in 2021, it was eventually sorted with a software update. While annoying it does not stop you using the car in any way, the main downside is that you can’t use the app to pre heat / cool the car before a scheduled journey, but you still set that within the car.

I thought the latest software on all the VAG group cars had sorted this issue out, it certainly works fine on the leased Skoda Elroq I am now driving. 

I really can’t see why this is such a major issue that you are refusing to actually use the car. 

GDB2222

Since so much of the car these days is based on software, and software always has faults, how does this work? Are consumers simply expected to put up with faults that don’t affect safety? 

TELLIT01

It seems very strange that the Love Me or Leave Me offer doesn't apply to vehicles which have had faults virtually from day one.  However, I would be surprised if it would be possible to reject a vehicle on the basis of one app not working.  The make and model of car I have has had issues with the radio cutting out, and the app to link devices to the central display never worked properly and was withdrawn by the manufacturer.  There was no comeback on the app issue and they have also tried several times to fix the problem with the radio cutting out, without success.  Both are widely reported problems.

Alderbank

TELLIT01 said:

It seems very strange that the Love Me or Leave Me offer doesn't apply to vehicles which have had faults virtually from day one.  However, I would be surprised if it would be possible to reject a vehicle on the basis of one app not working.  The make and model of car I have has had issues with the radio cutting out, and the app to link devices to the central display never worked properly and was withdrawn by the manufacturer.  There was no comeback on the app issue and they have also tried several times to fix the problem with the radio cutting out, without success.  Both are widely reported problems.

It shouldn't seem strange that the change of mind deal doesn't apply to faulty vehicles, particularly since SEAT explain why on their website.

Remember that the CRA does not give consumers the right to change of mind. For commercial reasons many retailers choose to offer change of mind T&Cs but always on different terms to CRA or CCR (printed till receipt might be required for instance, or the offer limited to 30 days, or it only applies to certain goods).

The Love Me or Leave Me offer is exactly the same type of deal. For example it only applies to specific cars and they must have been paid for either by cash or by VWFS's own in-house PCP, and there is an agreed deduction for use.

SEAT's own explanation is:
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have a separate legal right to a repair, replacement, or refund if your CUPRA Born vehicle is faulty. This right is entirely independent of any promotional offers under this Scheme. Therefore, if you believe your CURPA Born vehicle is faulty, you...should instead contact your retailer directly to exercise your legal rights.

This seems entirely reasonable to me.

born_again

GDB2222 said:

Since so much of the car these days is based on software, and software always has faults, how does this work? Are consumers simply expected to put up with faults that don’t affect safety? 

Car is working fine. it is just the app that remotly does certain things, that can also be done in car.

So given it is only the app. No idea why OP I have hardly used the car as I have little confidence in it.  It just sits on my drive.

Based on something sat on a phone. Which connects to a server to send a message to the car.

I have many function on my cars app, but every one is mirrored in car.

rainbow143

born_again said:

GDB2222 said:

Since so much of the car these days is based on software, and software always has faults, how does this work? Are consumers simply expected to put up with faults that don’t affect safety? 

Car is working fine. it is just the app that remotly does certain things, that can also be done in car.

So given it is only the app. No idea why OP I have hardly used the car as I have little confidence in it.  It just sits on my drive.

Based on something sat on a phone. Which connects to a server to send a message to the car.

I have many function on my cars app, but every one is mirrored in car.

Thanks for your response, I appreciate your comments.  The App doesn't work due to a connectivity problem.  This leads to issues with some functions.  The screen freezes, the doors don't always lock, I could go on.  My point is that this car has come out of the factory with a fault which results in functional problems.  So I can't agree that the car is working fine.

Aylesbury_Duck

rainbow143 said:

born_again said:

GDB2222 said:

Since so much of the car these days is based on software, and software always has faults, how does this work? Are consumers simply expected to put up with faults that don’t affect safety? 

Car is working fine. it is just the app that remotly does certain things, that can also be done in car.

So given it is only the app. No idea why OP I have hardly used the car as I have little confidence in it.  It just sits on my drive.

Based on something sat on a phone. Which connects to a server to send a message to the car.

I have many function on my cars app, but every one is mirrored in car.

Thanks for your response, I appreciate your comments.  The App doesn't work due to a connectivity problem.  This leads to issues with some functions.  The screen freezes, the doors don't always lock, I could go on.  My point is that this car has come out of the factory with a fault which results in functional problems.  So I can't agree that the car is working fine.

While I agree that you're entitled to a fully functional car, surely the app controls are optional and SEAT haven’t manufactured a car  that can't be locked by means other than an app?  

On the other hand, if you're intent on rejecting it, not using it is probably helpful.

PHK

Keep_pedalling said:

I had a similar problem with the VW ID3 purchased back in 2021, it was eventually sorted with a software update. While annoying it does not stop you using the car in any way, the main downside is that you can’t use the app to pre heat / cool the car before a scheduled journey, but you still set that within the car.

I thought the latest software on all the VAG group cars had sorted this issue out, it certainly works fine on the leased Skoda Elroq I am now driving. 

I really can’t see why this is such a major issue that you are refusing to actually use the car. 

It's quite puzzling, as you say, because the Cupra Born is made on the same line as the ID3. Essentially the same software with cosmetic changes. 

Ergates

rainbow143 said:

The fault persisted, and to cut a very long story short, the car returned to the workshop last week for the second time, but the fault remains.  The manager has stated that many Cupra Born currently have this fault. Having Googled this, I can confirm that many owners are complaining about this fault since 2024.

The car has been in the workshop twice for this same issue?  Or for some other issue?

I'd contact both the dealership you bought it from and the finance company and tell them you are *rejecting* the car (not returning it) under the consumer rights act as it does not conform to contract (as it is faulty, meaning some of the functions you have paid for do not work).

rainbow143

Ergates said:

rainbow143 said:

The fault persisted, and to cut a very long story short, the car returned to the workshop last week for the second time, but the fault remains.  The manager has stated that many Cupra Born currently have this fault. Having Googled this, I can confirm that many owners are complaining about this fault since 2024.

The car has been in the workshop twice for this same issue?  Or for some other issue?

I'd contact both the dealership you bought it from and the finance company and tell them you are *rejecting* the car (not returning it) under the consumer rights act as it does not conform to contract (as it is faulty, meaning some of the functions you have paid for do not work).

Thank you for your reply.  Yes, it's been in the workshop twice for the same fault and still hasn't been resolved.  I have done exactly as you have recommended - written to both the dealership and finance company telling them I am rejecting the car.  This car has left the factory with a fault.  It hasn't functioned as promised since the day I bought it.  I am awaiting a response.  The frustrating issue is that I put all my correspondence to the dealership in writing, but they phone me to respond, so I don't have a paper trail.  Thanks again.