Advice needed: Car purchased 10 days ago

stwb

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, if it isn't can someone move it to the correct place.

Anyway here goes, on the 14th June 2008 I purchased a 2002 Alfa Romeo Lusso Selespeed on finance. The following weekend (just gone) it started to develop faults, which where reported on the computer:

Faulty Left Side Light
Faulty Right Side Light
Faulty Numberplate Light
VDC Failure
ABS Failure

Also, whilst in a very busy carpark, it got stuck in Reverse (it has tiptronic gears). Requiring me to restart the car twice before I could select a new gear.


What I want to know is, what is my legal standing with this purchase?
As the purchase is under 14 days ago, can an I exchange it for a replacement car or do I have to except just getting it repaired?


It seem like I bought a lemon here :mad: , please can someone advise me on what to do?

Thanks

cajef

Did you buy it with any warranty?

If it was from a dealer then take it back and get them to sort it out.

A bit of homework before you bought it would have shown that unfortunately Alfa's do not have very good reputation for reliability and the Selespeed is one to avoid as apparently it has always been troublesome.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You'll not be able to exchange it. You must give the seller the chance to repair it, only when you have had several months of fault after fault can you reasonably consider the vehicle not fit for purpose.

Take it back, demand a courtesy vehicle, and leave it to them to sort out.

view

STWB, The AA site says with regard to your rights

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_legalrights.html

Done deal If the car you buy doesn't measure up to these standards, the dealer is responsible for sorting out your complaint. This may mean you'll be entitled to your money back, or to have the fault repaired.
However, what you'll be entitled to will vary, so you should seek legal advice. If you've bought a car on or after 31 March 2003, you should either be offered a replacement car of equal value or a partial refund.

And Consumer Rights Expert says

If Things Go Wrong

If there's a problem, take the car back to the dealer and tell him what you want him to do about it. You can even reject it, (hand over the keys and give your reasons in writing), requesting a refund. Keep a copy of your letter.

Things become somewhat trickier if you've financed the deal and you want to reject the car. The problem is that the car isn't actually yours - it belongs to the finance company until you've paid for it in full. So you have to give them your rejection reasons, and then let them deal with it on you behalf.
If the dealer refuses your rejection of the car, you'll have to speak to the manufacturer; they may be able to negotiate a solution.
The next thing you can do is contact the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It will act as an arbiter, (although it has no legal power, its Code of Practice is approved by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)). Finally, you can go Trading Standards www.tradingstandards.gov.uk and take legal advice (both the RAC and the AA offer legal advice to their members). But if you go to court, you'll need a solicitor; new cars are too expensive to go on the small claims track. However, if you win, your costs will be covered and you might be able to claim compensation.

standupguy

It is also worth informing the Finance Company about the issues so that they can make a note on your account.

If issues persist then the Finance company has joint responsibility under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Informing them now, early on in the agreement will assist your case no end if you have no luck with the dealer

in2deep_2

stwb wrote: »

?


It seem like I bought a lemon here

You bought an alfa.....worse still a sillyspeed.

Im sorry i spent 10 years working on these there lovely cars to drive but its always the same problems with the electrics time and time again.

It may in fact turn out to be a simple fix but clearly your confidence in the car has already gone.
I think the best you can hope for is to get it fixed at no charge.

stwb

Thanks for all the help guys.

I Have taken back to the dealer, who has taken it to repair (under warranty). Plus have courtesy car in the meantime.

in2deep wrote: »

i spent 10 years working on these there lovely cars to drive but its always the same problems with the electrics time and time again.

Yes I had the opinion it will be something electrical, rather than all those things going wrong. No problem if it gets fixed, Although still not keen on the way it 'pops' when you change gear.

in2deep_2

Is there specific problems with the lights. i ask this bacause if there was a problem in the past it maybe thats it not had the code cleared since it was fixed.

What do you mean 'pops' when you change gear.??

stwb

in2deep wrote: »

What do you mean 'pops' when you change gear.??

A bit like the 'pop' you can get on acceleration from an exhaust with a hole, but everytime it changes gear (as well as when I use the flappy-paddles).

Did mention it within first few days to the garage it came from, but they just said it was how the auto box works.

maurice_lawson

A similar thing has happened to me - Bought a 53 reg renault RX back in April, it broke down (timing belt went). The garage where I bought it said they would fix it under warranty. They gave me a car to run around in, sounds good so far. They had the car for 3 months, got it back two weeks ago. It broke down again over the weekend, they've got the car back. Does anyone know if I'm entitled to my money back?

photome

Did you watch top gear last night....Alfas :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: