Lots of serious problems with a recently purchased £4800 car
I recently bought a BMW 330 for £4800. On way home the engine management light came on. The dealer was informed and he more or less said its how you drove it away!?
On inspection the next day we found three hoses on the induction perished and split, reversing sensors stuck on, no spare wheel or jacking kit, no run flat tyres and the horn not working - both fuses out.
I made temporary repairs to hoses with amalgam and duct tape to get to the garage (local). All faults show intake manifold problems, on the way to the independent BMW specialist the car broke down and it was towed in.
The DISA valve was so worn it had fallen apart. The dealer was informed, he said something must have gone through it? On strip down to repair the valve flap with a kit, it was found the airbox had beeen drilled full of holes?
The car now running OK but inspection 2 service has been ticked by dealer , but hardly any part of it has actually been done.
No belts, plugs or even wheels had been removed. All parts kept and pictures taken during repair process. A letter detailing all these items plus cost to my son sent to dealer one week ago with no reply, what can I do now?
I let my son view and buy this car on his own, was that a mistake? The dealer will not refund, but under the six month rule can he get away with this?
On inspection the next day we found three hoses on the induction perished and split, reversing sensors stuck on, no spare wheel or jacking kit, no run flat tyres and the horn not working - both fuses out.
I made temporary repairs to hoses with amalgam and duct tape to get to the garage (local). All faults show intake manifold problems, on the way to the independent BMW specialist the car broke down and it was towed in.
The DISA valve was so worn it had fallen apart. The dealer was informed, he said something must have gone through it? On strip down to repair the valve flap with a kit, it was found the airbox had beeen drilled full of holes?
The car now running OK but inspection 2 service has been ticked by dealer , but hardly any part of it has actually been done.
No belts, plugs or even wheels had been removed. All parts kept and pictures taken during repair process. A letter detailing all these items plus cost to my son sent to dealer one week ago with no reply, what can I do now?
I let my son view and buy this car on his own, was that a mistake? The dealer will not refund, but under the six month rule can he get away with this?
Asked on 9 May 2013 by Steve Williams
Answered by
Honest John
Happily the purchase price was under £5,000 so you qualify for the small claims track of the county court. You begin the action using www.moneyclaim.gov.uk invoking the ruling in Clegg v Olle Andersson 2003 (House of Lords). Link to relevant information follows. Tell the dealer if he doesn't give you your money back you will sue him for it and you probably won't even have to go to court. www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
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