Granddad put deposit down on car - Changed mind!

[BTB 500]

...instead of the Micra.

... which had the same mileage but was cheaper (even if it did need some new tyres).

Think that would have been my choice, but so long as the buyer is happy and safe on the road it's a good ending.

 

[neilrr]

Did anyone go with Grandad when he bought the Fiat?

 

[GDAWG10]

Hi all,

So quick update. Grandad happy with the car, (new shape 07 Punto) definitely prefers it over the Micra so that's his choice.

Need some advice though.....so at the time of purchase (late October), it was advertised as having a new MOT however when we got home with the documents we realised the MOT was expiring in January. Called the dealer who said to take the car back to him in January (now) for an MOT and he will get it done, so that was fine.

To be fair, it's under three months since he bought the car, and he hasn't driven it a lot, he's also had a operation in that time and didn't drive for around three weeks. In total I would estimate he's driven under 300 miles. Around two weeks ago he said there was a noise every-time he turned right. Called the dealer and he said as it was also near the MOT to take it to him and get it looked at, repaired at the same time as the MOT.

Turns out it was a bush that needed replacing, however dad called dealer to arrange collection of the car, and he's now requested £140 "for the MOT and repair", because it was normal wear and tear.

I am fairly confident that this would come under the dealers responsibility as he should accept the fault was there when the car was sold and it his responsibility to get it repaired?

 

[renault12ts]

If the noise only started 2 weeks ago, why do you think the dealer is responsible for the repair?

 

[KSD]

Why not say he's a Grandad, 79 years old and vulnerable...oh, hang on...

 

[219]

Consumer law states that any fault which comes to light within six months of purchase is presumed to have been present at time of sale , unless it can be proven otherwise , and therefore dealer's responsibility to put right - subject to reasonable expectations with regard to age of vehicle , mileage covered and price paid .

Since the car was meant to have been sold with a full year's MOT , and was not , it seems unreasonable to charge for putting right something that was misdescribed . If the car was a £1000 runabout I'd expect to pay for the bush repair , but if a reasonably new car sold at a decent price then I'd expect the dealer to pick up the tab .

 

[Deleted member 6183]

If it was my Grandfather I'd be tempted to negotiate on his behalf and, if it came to it, stump up the cash with or, preferably, without his knowledge.

At his age he really doesn't need the aggro.

 

[GDAWG10]

If the noise only started 2 weeks ago, why do you think the dealer is responsible for the repair?

Because that's what consumer rights states....and to be fair, if you pay £2330 for a used car, 07 plate, 55,000 miles in good condition from a decent dealer who is confident in his reputation enough to invite buyers into his house (where he sells his cars...his driveway is big enough for around 20 cars!) you wouldn't expect to have to fork out for a repair especially after being driven very sparingly, after around 2 and a half months and after he said he would get it done.

I'm not a mechanic, I can't tell you why the noise only started two weeks ago, but I would say, and also going by the law which may well favour the buyer, it is the dealers responsibility. The same way if you buy a television new or used, and it works for a week and then stops working, you would take it back to the store.

 

[John Jones Jr]

If it was my Grandfather I'd be tempted to negotiate on his behalf and, if it came to it, stump up the cash with or, preferably, without his knowledge.

At his age he really doesn't need the aggro.

Couldn't agree more.


And stay away from that dealer.

 

[neilrr]

Because that's what consumer rights states....and to be fair, if you pay £2330 for a used car, 07 plate, 55,000 miles in good condition from a decent dealer who is confident in his reputation enough to invite buyers into his house (where he sells his cars...his driveway is big enough for around 20 cars!) you wouldn't expect to have to fork out for a repair especially after being driven very sparingly, after around 2 and a half months and after he said he would get it done.

I'm not a mechanic, I can't tell you why the noise only started two weeks ago, but I would say, and also going by the law which may well favour the buyer, it is the dealers responsibility. The same way if you buy a television new or used, and it works for a week and then stops working, you would take it back to the store.

Who in their right mind would deal in older, cheaper used cars these days with punters having expectations like this?

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Couldn't agree more.

That doesn't happen very often! (Not publicly anyway).

 

[John Jones Jr]

That doesn't happen very often! (Not publicly anyway).

Ha, ha. I know the feeling!

 

[jotter22]

Because that's what consumer rights states....and to be fair, if you pay £2330 for a used car, 07 plate, 55,000 miles in good condition from a decent dealer who is confident in his reputation enough to invite buyers into his house (where he sells his cars...his driveway is big enough for around 20 cars!) you wouldn't expect to have to fork out for a repair especially after being driven very sparingly, after around 2 and a half months and after he said he would get it done.

I'm not a mechanic, I can't tell you why the noise only started two weeks ago, but I would say, and also going by the law which may well favour the buyer, it is the dealers responsibility. The same way if you buy a television new or used, and it works for a week and then stops working, you would take it back to the store.

Could you post a photo of your Grandad just in case i am unlucky enough to sell him something!

Tony.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I think the trader should give you a full refund and your grandad gets to keep the car, probably a tank full of fuel too for the absolutely despicable way he's been treated.

I mean, expecting to pay for a bush on a nine year old car he's had for three month is just terrible.

 

[renault12ts]

My 83 year old mother could buy and sell the OP's grandfather. When a garage "advised" her that she needed a new wiper at £79 she said no thanks, went next door to Halford's, paid £15...and fitted herself.

I was only annoyed because I could have got one on Ebay for £7.50.

 

[MikeHartley]

I think the trader should give you a full refund and your grandad gets to keep the car, probably a tank full of fuel too for the absolutely despicable way he's been treated.

I mean, expecting to pay for a bush on a nine year old car he's had for three month is just terrible.

I think the dealer ought to give him another car as well, just in case the Punto breaks down.

 

[GDAWG10]

Thanks for you're very helpful comments.

Is it normal practice to agree to take care of the MOT once it's due at the point of sale, agree to "look at the car due to the noise, and then inform my aunt who took the car to the dealer that he thinks it's the bush, he will get it repaired with the MOT at his expense", and then ask for a payment before collection. Is it not normal practice for the dealer to diagnose the issue and then inform the owner of the car and ask if he wants to go ahead with the work?

As a buyer, any buyer, should you ignore the law or your rights? I don't make the law.

Between 30 days and 6 months
If a fault comes to light after 30 days but before 6 months have passed then you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. It is assumed in law that the fault was present at the time of purchase unless the seller can prove otherwise. During this period, unless you have agreed otherwise, the seller (dealer) has only one opportunity to repair (or replace) the faulty vehicle after which, if they fail to repair it, you are entitled to a refund.

In the event of a refund following a failed attempt at repair during the first six months the seller is permitted to make a 'reasonable' adjustment to the amount refunded to take account of the use that you have had of the vehicle since you bought it.

 

[renault12ts]

Thanks for you're very helpful comments.

Is it normal practice to agree to take care of the MOT once it's due at the point of sale, agree to "look at the car due to the noise, and then inform my aunt who took the car to the dealer that he thinks it's the bush, he will get it repaired with the MOT at his expense", and then ask for a payment before collection. Is it not normal practice for the dealer to diagnose the issue and then inform the owner of the car and ask if he wants to go ahead with the work?

As a buyer, any buyer, should you ignore the law or your rights? I don't make the law.

No, but it is normal to give the full facts...like he said he'd fix everything at his expense...which you left out.

Wow, you get bored with a car at nearly 6 months, find a fault, it isn't fixed on first attempt...refund of money paid for car.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Thanks for you're very helpful comments.

Is it normal practice to agree to take care of the MOT once it's due at the point of sale, agree to "look at the car due to the noise, and then inform my aunt who took the car to the dealer that he thinks it's the bush, he will get it repaired with the MOT at his expense", and then ask for a payment before collection. Is it not normal practice for the dealer to diagnose the issue and then inform the owner of the car and ask if he wants to go ahead with the work?

As a buyer, any buyer, should you ignore the law or your rights? I don't make the law.

Tbh you seem to know how you want to deal with this event. You have all the facts and seem to have done enough research. Why would you need to post the details on this forum? Then get sarcastic when you don't get the response you had wished for.

Honestly. Just deal with it either way without needing reassurance from members here. As already mentioned, we don't have all the facts. You do.

Ant.

 

[kam09]

Tbh you seem to know how you want to deal with this event. You have all the facts and seem to have done enough research. Why would you need to post the details on this forum? Then get sarcastic when you don't get the response you had wished for. Honestly. Just deal with it either way without needing reassurance from members here. As already mentioned, we don't have all the facts. You do. Ant.

Tut , 2p's worth and low blow.. Give the op a break, he his within his rights as imo the dealer would have had an idea of the bush an mot due date! If it was me I'd straight up refuse paying anything.