Problem with second hand car bought two weeks ago

sarah_elton

Original posted on wrong board, thanks to the guys there for pointing this one out.

Bought a 2002 Astra almost two weeks ago (picked up on Saturday 17th). I got it from a garage that my family have used for years and I trust the guy who runs it. He MOT'ed the car a few days before I picked it up.

Since last Saturday (24th), I've had noise whenever I brake. Kind of a low chhhhhhhhhh noise. A bit like the noise you hear when you drive through a deep puddle, only it's constant and whenever I touch the brake pedal.

Now, the car has a 3 month warranty, which excludes wear and tear. I'm assuming the brakes are worn. I'm taking it in first thing Saturday for them to take a look at.

Am I right that if the brakes are worn that badly there's no way it should have passed the MOT?

And although brake wear would be wear and tear, surely it should still be fixed under the warranty since the noise started a week after I picked it up? I'd only driven 100 miles!

I know you expect repair bills on second hand cars but after a week seems a bit ridiculous.

Just need some advice on where you think I stand before I go in there...

Hintza

From whta yoiu say you trust this guy. Take it one step at a taime and jsut ask them to check it over. In that short time span I'm sure he will deal with it wothout a problem.

Need to give him a chance. No point in getting too worked up before speaking to him.

bt80k

Hintza wrote: »

From whta yoiu say you trust this guy. Take it one step at a taime and jsut ask them to check it over. In that short time span I'm sure he will deal with it wothout a problem.

Need to give him a chance. No point in getting too worked up before speaking to him.

totally agree,any garage (especially trusted) worth it's sorts would,i'm sure, sort out your niggley noise without question

dannynixon

If you and your family have used him for a long time, he will most likely sort this because he knows he has a good source of future business from you and your family. I don't think he would jeapordise this for a couple of brake pads (or whatever it turns to be)

AdrianHi

sarah_elton wrote: »

Now, the car has a 3 month warranty, which excludes wear and tear. I'm assuming the brakes are worn. I'm taking it in first thing Saturday for them to take a look at.

A warranty product which excludes wear and tear is in most cases totally worthless as the warranty company will refuse any claim because it is not a new car therefore wear and tear.
A worthwhile warranty will give explicit details of what is or is not covered and have a policy on wear and tear like this one http://www.warrantydirect.co.uk/wear.html?wd=1

If the car has been sat on his forecourt for a while in the rain the surface of the brake discs will get a coat of rust and the rust could now be sticking to the brake pads. I had this with a car years ago, it produced a dramatic squealing noise which just cleared over one damp night. Check the pads for wear, if they look OK some moderately heavy braking or just time should clear the problem.

No warranty will pay out to replace consumables like tyres and brakes, but as you have only had the car a short time something should be expected from the seller if the car was not fit for purpose at time of sale.

goldspanners

the car could easily pass an MOT with worn pads and discs.
as others have said speak to the seller,if its just needing pads and discs im sure he will change them.

sarah_elton

Thanks guys. It wasn't so much about getting worked up (I agree entirely). Before I spoke to him at all, I just wanted an idea of whether I was being completely unreasonable wanting it fixed for free/cheap.

I don't think it was something that developed on the forecourt, as it was fine when I test drove, and for the first week of owning.

Will find out what's wrong tomorrow.