How long after purchase?

[maestegman]

How long after the purchase of a used car can you ask the dealer to rectify problems?

I purchased an E270 CDI on the 18th March from a local car dealer and since buying it, a couple of problems have arisen (see my previous threads on this forum).

The two main issues relate to a noise from the power steering and also a problem with the brakes. I returned the car to the dealer (three weeks ago) and the dealer said that there was nothing they could do.

Today, I took the car to my local MB specialist who, after a thorough examination, advised me that the car needed new front ball joints and rear disks fitted at a total cost of £320.

I'm a bit annoyed by this as the dealer told me that the car needed new pads and disks all round to pass its MOT. Clearly, the rear disks had not been fitted.

Advice please.

 

[maestegman]

Would really welcome advice here so BUMP

 

[st4]

In short 6 months from point of sale under sales of good act if a fault appears it could be deemed it was there are point of sale.

Depending on milliage etc if you've done 10k miles these would not apply really but reasonably speaking your should get something sorted with the vendor

 

[NOMONEYBUTAMERC]

I suggest you speak to the the dealer , advise him that an M.B. Specialist has diagnosed two faults which require prompt attention , and that the replacement of the rear discs would appear to have been overlooked at the time of MOT. Give him the opportunity to put it right , or ask if he would prefer to pay for the specialist to do it. My 450sl recently passed its MOT with an advisory on one of the front ball joints , apparently the tester deemed the amount of play not bad enough to warrant a failure , so this may be an area open to interpretation. Good luck , very annoying when dealers do not provide decent after sales service , but sadly all too common.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I think you've got a chance with the power steering but not the brakes.
I'm sure that you haven't, but what's to say you haven't been driving the car hard and braking hard? Things like brakes will always be a dodgy warranty issue I'm afraid...

 

[markjay]

As above, 6 months as long as added mileage is reasonable.

...The two main issues relate to a noise from the power steering and also a problem with the brakes. I returned the car to the dealer (three weeks ago) and the dealer said that there was nothing they could do...

Did the dealer claim that there is nothing wrong with the car, or did he acknowledge the faults but said he would not fix it FOC?

 

[maestegman]

This is really useful advice guys/gals. Very much appreciated.

I intend contacting the dealer tomorrow morning.

What would be best - in person, telephone or letter/e-mail?

 

[rascalmaster]

letter/ email.
Always keep a paper trail!
It also puts pressure on the dealer to behave, because they know anything they write on paper can't be denied at a later date.

 

[maestegman]

Thanks guys.

Basically, the dealer's workshop put some copperslip on it and when I said it was still bad I was advised that the brakes needed to bed in.

I'll email them tomorrow.

 

[maestegman]

Quick update.

The original dealer took the car back in yesterday and agreed to look again at the ball joint and rear disks issues identified by the MB specialist garage.

I am informed that their workshop mechanic has changed one of the ball joints as "there's always play in E and S Class ball joints" (!) and, apparently, there's nothing wrong with the rear disks.

Unfortunately, the noise, which in my opinion is brake related, still persists.

Is it worth me taking the car to another garage to get a third opinion then return it to the original delaer?

I must admit that I'm getting a bit frustrated here as it's been back into the dealers three times since I bought it, all with the same problem (after 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 2 months).

 

[rascalmaster]

Does it have original mercedes pads n discs? I'm guessing probably not...

My S210 brakes are lovely; now that I've renewed the pads and discs with mercedes parts...

 

[maestegman]

I would imagine that the replacement disks/pads are not MB.

I'm probably going to have to pay for another garage for a verdict . . .

 

[rascalmaster]

hmm

well just keep a log of dialogue with the dealer by emailing them and then it shows that at no point were you accepting of the situation, but were in fact proactively working to involve the dealer in rectifying the problems... that way if after a prolonged period of failed attempts to rectify the problem- if you were to reject the car or hold the dealer to task- your correspondence would strengthen your position.

 

[maestegman]

Many thanks for your help here. I've kept all of the correspondence just in case.

To be fair to the dealer, he's been responsive to my letters, calls and e-mails although, as the original propblem persists, nothing, in reality, has been done.

It looks as though I'll have to get a third opinion (at more cost to me). However, if the third opinion concurs with the first report, I'll probably need to step things up a little unfortunately.

 

[A160DSB]

Buying a car through a private sale, the contract is on buy as seen is it not?

 

[maestegman]

Yes. I believe so.

My car was bought through an established dealer at ticket price.

 

[npuk]

Buying a car through a private sale, the contract is on buy as seen is it not?

How long after the purchase of a used car can you ask the dealer to rectify problems?

I purchased an E270 CDI on the 18th March from a local car dealer and since buying it, a couple of problems have arisen (see my previous threads on this forum).

Many thanks for your help here. I've kept all of the correspondence just in case.

To be fair to the dealer, he's been responsive to my letters, calls and e-mails although, as the original propblem persists, nothing, in reality, has been done.

............

 

[A160DSB]

Which suggests, (and my knowledge comes from overhearing an episode of Judge Judy) that you buy the car with its faults, Although you may not have known the faults, it may be seen that it is your responsibility to have a mechanic or specialist to look over the car before purchase.

To be honest though, I really don't know.

EDIT: A dealer of a used car, may still be seen as a 'private' sale though. I dont understand the law enough to make a definite comment.

 

[maestegman]

Can't see Page 2 in this thread for some odd reason . . .

 

[maestegman]

Oh, we're back now

Thanks npuk - I thought it was just me there for a minute.