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car dealers and car issues


rtbiscuit

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So as some of you maybe aware I finally got a sensible car on the 31st of august ready for taking the kids too nursery. Got myself a very practical XC90. it had a couple of known issues like satnav not working which I knew about. And some issues I didn't find until I bought it.

 

Drove it home and filled it up to find the fuel gauge was dead, and not low on fuel like the dealer said. Also found the rear wiper and squirted dead and central locking only on front 2 doors. Not impressed so following weekend went back and mentioned it to dealer who basically didn't want to know, said I had bought sold as seen.

 

Got the old trusty multimeter out and tested the battery and found it had 2 dead cells. Bought a new battery and it cured all issues. Feeling rather smug with myself thought that was the end of the issues. And for the sake of a decent battery got the problem solved without having to deal with the dealer again.

 

Well a week later and the first rain in ages I drove home and picked the kids up. Stopped loaded the family up came to leave and all electrics dead. And when I say all I mean all. Dials, centre console lights windows everything. Thankfully the engine still turned over and I was able to drive the last mile home, all be it without lights, indicators a working Speedo etc etc.

 

Checked the car over that evening, and noticed wet carpets. Re checked a couple of known leak points that I'd checked on purchase. All seemed dry. So parked up and left it on the drive till the weekend. Booked it in with Volvo and knew that I had warranty cover. Did some research and it seemed there were electrics under the carpet that linked with the issue.

 

Started up on the Saturday, everything sprung back into life, but with warning lights and message on the dash. Dropped off at Volvo and checked battery which was still fine. Rang and booked work with warranty company and informed the selling garage. Told them the diagnosis fee. Which they then promptly refused to pay, but I should let them know and they might help after that. Bloody marvellous.

 

Volvo at this point didn't touch it for 2 weeks but did help with pointing out my rights under the sale of goods act. Sent several emails which the selling garage did not reply too. Finally rang them and told them I was bringing the car back. They then promptly shut early when I was due to arrive back. Went back on the Saturday, where surprisingly the boss was away. And then got cornered by 3 blokes. Stood my ground, explained my position and what I knew regarding my legal rights. Left them a copy of all 3 emails, the Volvo report and a bill from Volvo and for the rental car I ended up having to hire for the 2nd week so I could get to work. And the threat of legal action.

 

Volvo when they plugged the obd in found 44 fault codes and said the vehicle was completely dead when they came to move it. But when I collected it all was working fine.

 

Left and funnily enough 20 min later I had a very apologetic call from the boss, saying it was the first he knew, and if I'd spoken earlier he'd have sorted it all out. Re booked to return the car to be repaired or refunded plus expenses.

 

He is now fixing the car. It went to a specialist to find the leak, turned out to be gushing in from under the windscreen where the drains were blocked it had then found its way into the bulk heads and directly into a junction box.

 

They have now drained the car of a lot of water, and I mean a lot... like gallons. They've dried it out and cleaned it. And its off to an electrical specialist to check the electrics on Monday.

 

What's frustrated me is the agro and stress I've had to go through to get to this point. I've never dealt with such a slippery dealership. Where I've had to really stand my ground. And go through slot of stress when really with twins and a stressful job I could have done without. Thank goodness for helpful colleagues and an understanding wife.

 

Still got to sort out a reimbursement of costs and I'm taking it straight back to Volvo for them to re check the codes.

 

Just had to vent, have been dealing with all this and is partly why I've been quiet for a few weeks.

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That's massively sh!t, you've done well not to go down there and drive it through his office. Hope you get it sorted, a triumph for standing your ground over dirty cheats. Why is it so difficult some businesses to do things properly? Good luck.

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Yes a proper pain in the bum, but look positively, buying it privately would have goosed your finances big time!, despite the woes of some dealers trying to worm out of things you do have legal rights, such as the sale of goods act..

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Its run by 2 brothers and after having spoken to a mate who is local he says they are or can be a right pair of door knobs. The one who I've spoken to most who gave me the run around is a right bar steward, but the one who owns it has been surprisingly helpful. Its just been bloody hard to get to that point.

 

Rickey has been a huge help.

 

But yes when I was there, the urge to drive the vehicle straight into their offices and leave it there. As well as wanting to repeatedly punch someone. But that kind of behaviour sadly would lose me my job. And I'm a grown up and as such have to do things the grown up way. Even if it really difficult and long winded.

 

Have to say when the 3rd bloke just pulled up in a white van and joined the other 2 blokes in the office I was starting to wonder what route it was going to take and 3 on one were not great odds.

 

Still dont fully trust them, hence why its going back to Volvo to have the ECU re read.

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As long as you have it all in writing, and give them a fair chance to repair, you're covered. Remind me again how old the car is?

 

You did things right, just sometimes these things are a proper PITA. Name & shame I reckon, I wouldn't want to be dealing with someone like that. :thumbs:

 

 

We'll have to catch up soon bud, been too long and we've still not met the twins yet!

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As long as you have it all in writing, and give them a fair chance to repair, you're covered. Remind me again how old the car is?

 

You did things right, just sometimes these things are a proper PITA. Name & shame I reckon, I wouldn't want to be dealing with someone like that. :thumbs:

 

 

We'll have to catch up soon bud, been too long and we've still not met the twins yet!

that's why I swapped to emails, printed everything, emailed copies. Copied all 3rd party paperwork. And got 2nd opinions from people in the industry, from the CAB, etc

 

Really like the car and happy to have it back if all is sorted. Its a 2003

 

Its a local place just down the road, I will name and shame once all sorted.

 

Once transport is sorted I hopefully should be back in the "Tree" more often with the kids to see my family.

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I have a similiar issue read below 350z owners or perspective purchasers:

 

I recently purchased a 350z from a 350z specialist dealer some 6.2 miles north of Watford and I am sorry to say I had been duped with a duff air con system and 2 weeks after purchase the clutch had started to slip severely, car now impracticle to drive.

 

Dealer tried to supply duff part under what he termed warranty...my local garage would not fit it as it was a pile of junk. then they requested i return the car, costs of which i was to cover [150 miles on a trailer]. and they would repair fitting used parts how would you determin a used clutch?? would you trust them ....no chance.

 

I am in dispute against the dealer which will be addressed later and have been advised by my solicitor that he may not be trust worthy as the repair item sent for the air con was removed from a scrapped vehicle and was buckled twisted and not worthy so must seek repairs elsewhere. you shpould see the photo's.

 

1. I had the car’s air con checked and it requires a new condenser and dryer with air con gas refresh.

2. The clutch assembly will require replacement.

3. the brakes on their limits

 

I am now arranging a garage to do the work as per advice from my solicitor. Be advised and beware of this type of issue.

 

1. ignore a warranty from this dealer it is worthless.

2. have the car checked by a specialist before you sign off...a real specialist such as the AA.

3. do not listen to kind words or statements they will rectify as they do not.

4. There is minimal support from them.

 

I will go public once everything is arranged and finalised.

 

keep an eye out on my update next couple of weeks......

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Thankfully the garage I bought from are not doing the repairs they have sent the car to 2 places I know of and have good reputations. I will be requesting receipts for all work carried out and any parts replaced.

 

Especially as the 3 modules that could be fried are both £1000+ each

 

And as Volvo are the only ones who can read Volvo specific codes, it will be going back to them for clarification.

 

With regards to your issue re your clutch etc I would have expected a new clutch, and the minimum of a refurbished aircon unit

 

As I have done and as ekona has said, you must allow the selling garage reasonable time to fix the issue. If they do not then you can push for a refund. But the garage can offer a suitable replacement. If one does not exist only then is a refund possible.

 

Document all communication.

 

I found that hard as the seller only seems to communicate over the phone. For some reason he doesn't get my emails, and when he has apparently emailed me they haven't come through. I have copied a family member into each email so there is evidence of the messages being sent.

 

But in my case the gent that has picked up the problem is at the moment following through. The test will be at the end when I get it checked by a 2nd independent source.

 

 

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What a pita and definatley name and shame after mate. Sorry to hear you had all this trouble :( Really gets my goat!

the whole point of the car was to give me a reliable, easy to maintain, reduced running costs, spacious car, so that I could be a good dad, take the pressure off my wife and be able to do a lot of the family stuff.

 

So far I've driven the car for 2 weeks of the last 6. I've had to scab lifts for 1 week, hired, had to pick up and drop off while arranging extra transport from and too the rental place. Had to pay for a taxi one day, when I couldn't find a number for a colleague. Spent a week in the garages loan car that has no radio and suspect noses from underneath that makes me question the safety of it. All the while my wife has had to pick up the slack with all the picking up and dropping off for at least 2 of the weeks. I've lost several afternoons from work having to duck out early to collect or drop off vehicles. While at the same time run a busy department.

 

What annoyed me a bit was it looks like he might pay the cost o the initial diagnosis but said he wouldn't cover the cost of the rental.

 

When I told the originally that Volvo were going to charge £400 for the time required to find the fault they said they wouldn't pay it at all. When I showed them what Volvo had found the first blokes reply was that Volvo were a bunch of idioms. But actually olvo ere deliberately not going any further as to avoid picking up the blame nd being sussed of messing with things.

 

Still its not over yet. Got to get the car back, the receipts for all irk and reasonable reimbursement for costs and fees etc.

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Just read through this RT, what a pain. Like you said, you gave up the Jag for a seemingly reliable and practical family car and then all this happens. All I can say is I really hope you get this sorted as soon as possible and at minimum cost to yourselves.

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Sorry to see you had so much agro from the stealers. :rant: :rant:

 

You would have thought Volvo's were bomb proof, glad your getting it sorted out,

 

hopefully they will pay up and that will be the end of it.. :scare: :scare:

 

You'd have thought.....and you'd have been wrong!

 

Volvo when they ...go big. I spent £824 replacing an alternator and a MAF sensor on the C70 I just sold.

 

As biccie said the volvo codes can only be 'properly' read by a volvo machine (that said a normal high quality code reader will get you somewhere). I think the volvo licences are something like 5 grand a year as well.

 

Bad times biccie but let's hope they sort it.

 

 

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I have a similiar issue read below 350z owners or perspective purchasers:

 

I recently purchased a 350z from a 350z specialist dealer some 6.2 miles north of Watford and I am sorry to say I had been duped with a duff air con system and 2 weeks after purchase the clutch had started to slip severely, car now impracticle to drive.

 

Dealer tried to supply duff part under what he termed warranty...my local garage would not fit it as it was a pile of junk. then they requested i return the car, costs of which i was to cover [150 miles on a trailer]. and they would repair fitting used parts how would you determin a used clutch?? would you trust them ....no chance.

 

I am in dispute against the dealer which will be addressed later and have been advised by my solicitor that he may not be trust worthy as the repair item sent for the air con was removed from a scrapped vehicle and was buckled twisted and not worthy so must seek repairs elsewhere. you shpould see the photo's.

 

1. I had the car’s air con checked and it requires a new condenser and dryer with air con gas refresh.

2. The clutch assembly will require replacement.

3. the brakes on their limits

 

I am now arranging a garage to do the work as per advice from my solicitor. Be advised and beware of this type of issue.

 

1. ignore a warranty from this dealer it is worthless.

2. have the car checked by a specialist before you sign off...a real specialist such as the AA.

3. do not listen to kind words or statements they will rectify as they do not.

4. There is minimal support from them.

 

I will go public once everything is arranged and finalised.

 

keep an eye out on my update next couple of weeks......

 

Just being devils advocate (ignoring that the item was apparently bucked/twisted) you warranty probably states that the dealer may use used parts to correct any defect.

 

The idea of the warranty being that your vehicle will be put back into a 'road worthy' condition. That doesn't automatically entitle you to new parts.

 

Now say this dealer in good faith bought that part from a breaker who assured it was in full working order. Again I sympathise with your plight and that yes the dealer has a responsibility to ensure the part is suitable for purpose but the fact that it wasn't may be as a result of duff assurances from his supplier.

 

Clutch is also a tricky one. 2 weeks after purchase.....yes that's harsh but it drove perfect on the test drive I'm assuming......you can't 'bodge' a clutch working properly. Sometimes consumable items (of which a clutch is one) just 'go'.

 

Technically (unless a judge said otherwise) my understanding is that the clutch as a consumable item is not covered for replacement by the consumer goods act. He can prove it was fit for purpose at time of sale because YOU test drove the car and it drove fine. Unless the warranty covered the clutch then you can't expect it to be covered by anything other than goodwill. Even then the dealer is entitled to replace it with working used parts.

 

Sounds like you're having a grim time and I'm not siding with anyone. Just giving you a second opinion from the other side of the fence :thumbs:

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update is as follows:

 

this has been going on for nearly 5 weeks so I have presented costs to repair car at my local nissan dealership, as the car remans undrivable. Dealer and finace company now have 48 hours to accept or car agreement is cancelled. Simple!!

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also note I gave then written notification to cancel the agreement within the two week cooling off period due to the issues with the car. I was requested by the finance company to allow time for repairs, this I did. Now it is plain and simple repair or take the car back.......they have been told.

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