Dodgey Car

Fire Fly · 05-09-2013, 01:28 PM

Hey,
I was wandering if someone could help me and point me in the right direction with what I should do regarding my car...

I bought a 55 plate Polo 1.4 auto on June 13th 2013. Lots of people have mentioned that its making quite alot of noise and perhaps the tappits needed changing. Anyway after many different mechanics saying different things I have taken it to Volkwagen. They have diagnosed the issue to be 2 piston slaps on the vehicle. They find it very odd as its only done 36,000 miles and its very odd to have one piston slap at that low mileage let alone two. Its going to cost me around £4000 to repair it when I cant afford that much and thats more than I even bought the car for.

As this car is not road worthy or fit for purpose; I know I can be covered by the 1977? Sales act saying that if it's not fit for purpose within six months of purchasing the vehicle then Im entitled to my money back however the independent garage i bought the car from are not having any of it as they are claiming that as it passed its MOT therefore it must be road worthy when VW have said they don't even recommend me driving the vehicle home.

What Im asking is what are my rights? I have also paid half of the initial purchase of the car by credit card so am I covered by the credit card company? Are the garage allowed to refuse refunding me my money? Also the work I have already carried out on this vehicle due to these piston slaps am I able to claim the money back from the place i bought the car? Im meant to start university in two weeks and desperately need a car to travel to and from uni (hence why i originally bought the car)... Is there anyway I can check whether the garage has clocked back the mileage of this car?

Please can someone help as Im really struggling in knowing what to do. Thanks for reading.

caz23 · 05-09-2013, 02:52 PM

I'm not entirely sure about your rights on this one, although it does seem as though the garage may have tried to pull a fast one here. I would recommend that you speak to an advisor at your local CAB as soon as possible, and I also found some useful information on their website about being sold an unroadworthy car here.

Hope this helps and that you get things sorted x

snailonvalium · 05-09-2013, 04:21 PM

I would speak to trading standards,they might fight the issue for you....ive just randomly had a convo about something very similar and trading standards got involved because the garage sold a car not fit...

Ballerina123 · 05-09-2013, 05:19 PM

Im sorry that I don't know your rights but I really hope you get it sorted because it sounds stressful.
Hugs x

lottybear · 05-09-2013, 07:13 PM

Hello I'm sorry it happened to you similar thing happened to me i bought a figaro from seller. Within 4 months it had 3 leaks, engine went kaput and brakes was dangerous. Your entitled to a refund or for garage to fix it, or another car of equal value. The mot is nothing to do with warranty there trying to get out of it. Ps if they still refuse to do anything get in touch with trading standards who will write to them. Lol I fell in love with my car so I decided to pay half the bills the seller was best friends dad, so that didnt help. But you are entitled to one of the above. Ps message me if u need anymore help, take care.

The One Who · 05-09-2013, 08:39 PM

1. Talk to the local trading standards.

2. Read this web page: CAB Public information site - cars and vehicles

2. Was the car new or second-hand? Was it bought from a trader or a private seller? What were you told about the car when you bought it? These make a difference to your rights.

As a general rule of thumb, the garage (if bought from one) should be given the opportunity to repair the fault before requesting a refund. If they will do neither, you could ask your credit company to look into the matter for you and you will possibly be able to get a refund that way, but check your credit agreement or contact your provider to be sure.