Used car dealer - consumer rights - being very difficult

Colecole2929

I bought a car on 12/02/26 for £5295 using a credit card (I have already logged a sec 75). 
After 5 days (15/02/26) I sent an email to the dealer with the following issues; - Ignition error - key (both) very difficult to turn ignition off completely and ignition is faulty and letting the key out before car completely shut off. This then is causing the car to trip and not locking/unlocking, also battery then not shut down etc.
- Electrical issues; main driver window control panel switch not working for passenger window at all. Only working to put rear windows down and not to put them back up. 
Door open light switch in centre light panel not registering for lights to come on when doors open (switch issue). 
- mechanical issues; tracking very loose, lots of movement and steering wheel not straight when wheels are, slightly off left causing swerve. Two front tyres appear bald around the outer edge after just 100 miles. 
- cosmetic; 2 large chips in windscreen. 
Passenger window seal has a significant air leak as whistling when travelling. 
Rear off side window seal faulty, wedged in window lip. 
- handbrake extremely loose. Not holding vehicle in park at all. 

Dealer agreed for car to come back after needing to order switch panel for door. Corrected majority of issues minus cosmetic. Took to get tracking done and replaced two front tyres. Verbally told me that the tracking was so far out I was driving on 20% of the wheel - provided invoice but no report for tracking inspection (although was provided with one - have only been made aware of this now). Said his ‘mechanic’ couldn’t find an issue with the ignition but had sprayed it with a lubricant as a precaution (gave me invoice to show this too). Told me to keep an eye. 
Had to return the car in a couple of weeks for the last part to be replaced regarding the light switch. I messaged the dealer before taking the car back to say the ignition issue is still happening; it’s jamming and releasing the key in the ignition position 1 and then not letting me turn ignition off or moving the other way to let me start the engine. I then sent a video to him to which he tried to ask me if I was using the ignition in the wrong way? And said he’d be interested to see how I’m using the ignition? However agreed he would ask his ‘mechanic’ to have a look again on return. Returned car for a second time for light switch replacement and again told no issue found with the ignition. 
2 weeks later, oil light comes on. I checked oil levels and it was next to nothing so had to fill with best part of 3 litres. Just 16 days later the oil light comes on again, checked oil levels and again, next to nothing. I emailed the dealer again saying the newer oil issue and also the ignition continues to jam. I was stuck in a supermarket car park for over 20 minutes with 2 young children in the car trying to un jam it. 
Dealer then says I need to get a diagnostic assessment done (at my own expense) at an VAT registered garage and then send him the report. No comment on ignition issue. Managed to book into a garage recommended to me but for the end of the week. Mid week I’m out and the ignition completely Jams, no budging, no movement for over an hour. I had to then pay recovery to take it to the garage I had booked it into for the end of the week. The car had the ignition on as was jammed in position 1. The garage then couldn’t perform the diagnostic assessment because the engine couldn’t be turned on. They confirmed the ignition barrel was completely broken and put it into a report. In the meantime I had contacted the dealer who  offered to ‘contribute’ to a repair.. so back and forth emails and phone calls he is refusing a refund and saying he is offering to repair under a ‘gesture of goodwill’. I have explained under consumer rights I am entitled to a refund (as between 30 days and 6 months of purchase) and he has had 2 opportunities to repair the ignition barrel but kept saying no issue found. He is now telling me I must transport the car to his chosen garage for the repair (over 18 miles away) - car not drivable at all. However this surely is his responsibility? At this point I don’t want it repaired, to then have to pay out again for diagnostics on the oil issue afterwards. So where do I stand now? 
I have sent a letter recorded today stating I am a formally requesting the final right to reject the vehicle under the consumer rights act 2015 and he should send me a reply in writing within 7 days. Based on multiple issues with the car, repair opportunities and then more issues etc. 
He has been nothing but difficult. Delaying everything, every response and now just signposting me to AA mediation as he is AA approved dealer. 
Other things to note; Mechanic he has used for repairs cannot be found anywhere online via companies house, not VAT registered, no contact details etc - seems off? MOT passed with no advisories a week before sale - 6 months earlier had a page of advisories. No invoices or paperwork provided to say the work had been done prior. Also the issue with not providing the tracking report - could this be because it would be proof the car was not fit for purpose and was dangerous? 
He is also aware I purchased the car because I needed a bigger boot for my son who is in a wheelchair and handed my Motability vehicle back because they couldn’t offer anything suitable at the time. Any further advice much appreciated. 
From a desperate and stressed single mum of two. 

Okell

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 there is a legal presumption that any faults within 6 months of purchase were present at delivery - unless the seller can prove otherwise.

So within 6 months you don't have to pay for any reports to prove anything - the burden of proof is on the dealer to prove it isn't faulty.

And after one failed repair attempt you are legally entitled to a refund, but be aware the dealer can reduce your refund to reflect the use you've had of the vehicle.

And you don't need to request the final right to reject - you tell them you are rejecting it.

Once you've rejected it you must stop using it. Unless you have agreed to return the vehicle on rejection (what does your sales agreement say about that?) you only need to make it available for collection by the dealer.

(Are you certain your credit card provider is processing a s75 claim and not a chargeback?)

Colecole2929

The car is currently not on the road as it can’t even be started. It’s just sat at a garage I had it towed too. Should I just get the vehicle towed back to the dealer? Can I just leave it there legally? As he hasn’t accepted liability so could he just cause me more problems?

I have informed the dealer where the car is located and advised the garage have the keys but he is saying the car is my responsibility. Actually he keeps referring to his offers of repair as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ not that actually he is required to by law. However I have been told not to accept the repair as I don’t have to due to him already taking the car back on two occasions and investigating the fault. Plus repairs made on already 4 other issues.

Chase bank are investigating for a sec 75 as charge back is under £100.

Grumpy_chap

At £5k, how old is this car, what mileage, what general condition?

What due diligence did the OP undertake prior to purchasing? Were any of the issues noted, for example worn tyres, noticeable prior to purchasing? (Were such matters reasonably evident to a lay-person, whether or not the OP actually noticed the issues?)

Not every fault is sufficient grounds to reject. Expectations need to be measured against the standard of car purchased.

eskbanker

Chase bank are investigating for a sec 75 as charge back is under £100

While it's true that s75 only applies to items over £100, there is no such value limit for chargeback claims.

It's also worth being aware of other key differences between the two, especially the fact that with chargeback, the bank is essentially recovering funds from the merchant on your behalf, whereas with s75 you're holding the bank legally liable for the actions (or lack thereof) of the merchant.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/visa-mastercard-chargeback/#chargevs75

S75 is also generally full and final settlement, once the bank has paid out, whereas with chargeback, the merchant can still pursue the debt after the process is completed…

Colecole2929

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81983198#Comment_81983198

so none were noted, no. Fresh MOT with no advisories. Said he had corrected any advisories prior to sale. Although no record of a fail before the pass?
2016 car, 95k. I wasn’t expecting it to be perfect or even great but I did expect it to be safe and drivable. Tracking was unsafe which he repaired and ignition barrel now failed so unable to drive it!

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81983724#Comment_81983724

OK, so one of the comments you have said is

"Two front tyres appear bald around the outer edge after just 100 miles."

Can you describe the amount of tread and condition of those two tyres when you viewed the car before agreeing the purchase?

sheslookinhot

Have you sent dealer a letter informing them you are rejecting the car ?

Time for a letter before action.

caprikid1

"Other things to note; Mechanic he has used for repairs cannot be found anywhere online via companies house, not VAT registered, no contact details etc "

Not a lot of Mechanics earn over £90K on their own so cannot see why they would need to be VAT registered.

No need for them to be a LTD company, can just be self employed , no requirement to register at companies house.

PTP123

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81984263#Comment_81984263

VAT isn't about what you earn

Colecole2929

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81983804#Comment_81983804

yes, all 4 tyres had plenty of tread on, especially the front to which I had to have replaced, by the dealer and he explained it was because the tracking on the car was so bad. I have pictures of both tyres just 2 weeks after purchase showing this.