Conference terri::cars_uk

2484.0. "Dealer problems buying 2nd hand car " by 43984::GAMI (Bunkered on the Info Highway) Thu Jan 18 1996 11:59

    
    I have a major problem with dealer and I need some advice:
    
    The problem is to do with purchasing a second-hand Honda Legend for 4K
    pounds.
    
    1. When I test drove the car there appeared to be some knocking from
    the front suspension when going over bumbs. At this stage I told the
    salesman that I would put a deposit on it provided that this problem
    was fixed.
    
    2. 2 weeks later I paid over the money and collected the car, having
    been assured that the problem was fixed. On driving home I noticed that
    the problem was still there. Once I reached home I phoned the dealer
    and told him that the problem was not fixed and that I would be taking
    it to a local Honda dealer Monday morning under the 12 months
    warranty. I bought the car from a dealer in Ascot, but I live in
    Wembley and I'll be damned if i'm going to drive to ascot again !
    
    3. On further examination of the car over the weekend, I notice that
    the Air Conditioning is not working, in fact the belt to the AC
    compressor was totally missing !! Also there appeared to very noist
    tappetts (sp!). Also the electric windows did not always work.
    
    4. I rang the dealer again and told him about the new problems. He was
    not too impressed that his workshop had released a car in this
    condition. He suggested that I bring the car back to him. They will give
    a load car while the repairs are carried out. 
    
    5. A week into the repairs, I get another call saying that the repairs
    are going to cost too much:
    
    	600 + labour for the tappetts
    	600 + labour for the AC
    	??? + ??? for the suspension.
    
    They are now offering to give me my money back ! They wee sell the car
    without the repairs thorough an auction...
    
    What is my position on this matter ?
    
    - Should I get re-imbursed for the full 35 quid of fuel I put into
      the Legend ?
    
    - Should I get re-imbursed for my wasted time and general hassle ?
    
    - Should I hold on to the load car, until I find another car to buy ?
    
    - Should I write to Honda UK ?
    
    Raj

    Raj, If they're offering a full refund I think you are doing well.
    
    Many a dealer would give you fob off after fob off. If you upset them
    by asking for compensation etc. they may start getting awkward and
    you'll then have the hassle of taking legal action.
    
    Royston

re.0/1:

Take the refund as soon as possible. Once received, you can make a nuisance of
yourself and write and ask for compensation based on your out of pocket expenses.

Dave.

    
    Raj, you're doing very well if they're offering you your money back -
    take it before they change their minds...
    
    A friend had a similar problem with an Opel Monza a couple of years
    ago, imacculate, low milage two owners etc. When he took the back seat
    out to give the car a thorough valeting he found a crease in the floor
    pan ! He returned it to the garage who said they dodn't know it had
    been crashed and repaired. The best offer he got from them in the end
    was to find him another vehicle of equivelent value - so he ended up
    with a Scorpio automatic, which he then sold at a loss so he could buy
    a decent Monza.
    
    Graham

    
    	An aside(ish):
    
    	It's well worth spending the hundred or so quid it costs to get a
    	pro to look over any car you intend to buy - especially if you're
    	thinking of spending 4,000+.  Any garage that won't agree to fix
    	the problems the pro finds isn't worth dealing with because they've
    	probably got something to hide.  Doing this can save a lot of time,
    	money and effort later.
    
    	Pete

Another vote to return the car and get your money back.

Dave

    TAKE THE MONEY BEFORE THEY CHANGE THEIR MIND.
    
    Yeah, get out of this one as fast as possible.
    
    
    Tony.

		Take the Money, Give them the Box.

    Well I took everbody's advise and got my refund from them this morning.
    
    Raj

    >>          -< Which Ascot garage was it?  Bracknell dweller. >-
    
    Clover Leaf Cars, next to Ascot station.
    
    Raj