In early July my wife decided to buy a new Hyundai i20, partly because of the financial package available. A deposit was placed on the car and delivery given as July 24th. The salesman rang twice a week to keep us informed of the progress, but just before the anticipated delivery date he rang to say it would be delayed until early August. On July 30th he rang again, asking us to go to the showroom to sign the financial agreement. I went and signed, with reservation, as I had, as yet, no car. He insisted however that the finance had to be settled by the month's end.

Early August came and there was still no car, so I decided to ring them. I was told, to my astonishment, that the garage had no idea. I was furious and decided to ring Hyundai customer services. I was informed that the edition model was a modified basic model, with modifications carried out in England. Unfortunately they was a temporary shortage of a modification part, but my car would be given priority.

When told that the first monthly payment was due at the end of August, I contacted the finance company and was told that it was between myself and the garage. My options were to cancel the loan and draw a new one out when the car arrived, or defer payment until the car arrived. I've now been given a courtesy car, a promise of late August delivery, and a possibility of the first repayment being paid by Hyundai. As I do not buy a new car every year, is the above shambles the norm? Can you inform me as to where I stand legally?