Is the dealer responsible for moving the car to get it repaired?

Simon_Woods · 22 October 2015 at 10:50AM

I bought a used car yesterday, drove it away with no problems but then couldn't start it a couple of hours later. The AA came out and diagnosed a dodgy starter motor which he fixed by tapping it with a hammer. This morning I have the same problem, but this time the hammer trick is not working.

I'm pretty sure I can demand a repair from the dealer, but what about the cost of getting the car to their premises? I can't drive it there since it won't start.

Does anyone know where I stand on this?

foxy-stoat · 22 October 2015 at 10:59AM

Can you bump start it?

Maybe the battery is low on charge, try jumping it too.

Speak to the garage, they maybe able to come out.

Simon_Woods · 22 October 2015 at 11:14AM

The AA man confirmed that the battery was good, it's definitely a starter motor problem. There's no room to bump start it without pushing it onto the (very busy) main road which I think would be too dangerous.

Ideally I would like the garage to come out and collect it but not sure if they're obliged to do so.

They're not answering the phone at the moment, unfortunately.

motorguy · 22 October 2015 at 11:20AM

Simon_Woods wrote: »

The AA man confirmed that the battery was good, it's definitely a starter motor problem. There's no room to bump start it without pushing it onto the (very busy) main road which I think would be too dangerous.

Ideally I would like the garage to come out and collect it but not sure if they're obliged to do so.

They're not answering the phone at the moment, unfortunately.

If you put it in say, 2nd gear, knock the handbrake off (obviously on flat ground or with you in the driving seat if not), let the clutch out and rock it back and forwards until the car moves a foot or so and you hear the engine moving as it does it. Then try again.

Simon_Woods · 22 October 2015 at 11:36AM

Thanks Paul, I'll try that when I can get some friends to come over and help push it (it's parked on a slope with no room to go downhill - in retrospect that wasn't a very clever place to park...)

alderpoint · 22 October 2015 at 11:43AM

Can't you just call the AA man again? Either they'll get it started again, or tow you to the garage.

Simon_Woods · 22 October 2015 at 12:16PM

No, my AA cover doesn't include home start. Last night I was away from home so they came out, this time the car is here at home so they won't.

Rain_Shadow · 22 October 2015 at 12:20PM

Does that 'hammer trick' still work?

I thought it was from the Dark Ages.

Gloomendoom · 22 October 2015 at 12:56PM

The hammer trick is still surprising effective for curing all sorts of problems, not just stuck starter motors.

almillar · 22 October 2015 at 12:58PM

The 'hammer trick' work on electrical motors, which I suppose have been around since the dark ages. That's what we're still using today to start our engines, after getting rid of starting handles. If the motor is worn and gets stuck in between the 'slots' of magnetism, a good wallop can get it into a good place again.
See also - worn windscreen motors (personal experience!).

enfield_freddy · 22 October 2015 at 3:23PM

almillar wrote: »

The 'hammer trick' work on electrical motors, which I suppose have been around since the dark ages. That's what we're still using today to start our engines, after getting rid of starting handles. If the motor is worn and gets stuck in between the 'slots' of magnetism, a good wallop can get it into a good place again.
See also - worn windscreen wiper blades (personal experience!).

corrected it for you

Is the dealer responsible for moving the car to get it repaired?

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