Cinch Car Finance

Hancarott

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice. Maybe there is someone has been in a similar position. (Sorry for the long post) 

so long story short (ish… after just having my baby boy I decided I needed to take the plunge and get a bigger car. I turned to cinch and purchased one through finance with them. 

All was fine and well to begin with. 

Car got delivered on 7th July. 

Took my car for a drive the following day (8th July) and Oil warning light appeared on the dash. Took it to my local garage where a mechanic overlooked it and found a few problems. Got a write up of these from the mechanic and emailed them over to cinch customer service after trying for an hour to get through on the phone. Following the advice from the garage, the timing belt was cracked and needed replaced asap. 

After emailing cinch on 8th July, there was no reply. I had to chase it up on 14th July. Finally got a reply and some answers on 11th August. 

They booked the car into an Evan Halshaw garage where the car was checked over and it was confirmed that the problems identified by my local garage did in fact need resolved. 

Car was booked into Evan Halshaw garage (22nd September) - after cinch took almost 3 weeks to authorise the work to be carried out 

However, after not being told I couldn’t drive it and not knowing what the extent of the damage was, I went on drive up country on 15th September. Engine fault light appeared on the dash, car lost all power and completely cut out. Phoned cinch to report it (who were just not very useful at all) and arrange RAC call out due to being under warranty. Towed to the Evan Halshaw garage (authorised by cinch) where my car would remain for 3 weeks. Even Halshaw called me on 24th September and confirmed that the timing belt has been replaced but had now experienced further problems. The whole engine needed replaced. They told me that they had contacted cinch and were now awaiting for approval of this job going ahead. 

As of 2nd October - cinch called me direct and told me the car was recalled and they would ring me the following day to go through the returns process. (They called me 4 minutes before they were due to close) 

I have up to date paid 3 monthly instalments as well as £199 delivery fee for the car. The most recent payment paid the day before they contacted me about recalling the car. Can someone tell me where I stand?  Am I entitled to any refund/compensation?  The car had a fault when they delivered it me therefore none of the damage was my fault. They sold me a car that was not fit for purpose

Ayr_Rage

I am very surprised that none of the mechanics didn't advise the timing belt could fail at any time and therefore you should not drive the vehicle until it had been replaced.

What do you mean by "recalled"?

If they are taking the vehicle back you'll have to see what they offer and then come back here to get confirmation they have acted appropriately.

Hancarott

So yeah they’re taking the vehicle back, awaiting a phone call to go through the returns process. I’ll post an update once they have been in touch.