Hi,

I've got what I hope is a fairly simple issue, however I just want to ask some advice from anyone who miay have been in a similar situation.

On Sat 14 Nov 14, I purchased a second hand car from a second hand car dealer in Essex. The vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder appeared to be in reasonably good order, and although we did not conduct a test drive, the engine sounded fine (to me as a layperson) for a diesel with 93000 miles on the clock.

The dealer sold me an enhanced warranty that cost me another £400 above the £8000 already paid. We drove the vehicle home, and while the automatic gearbox felt a bit ponderous the vehicle appeared fine. On the following Fri, the vehicle clearly had something drastic wrong with it. On talking to the warranty company, I was informed to get a diagnostic done before they could do anything further.

I took the vehicle for the diagnostic this morning and was shocked to be shown a list of faults, all of which point to the requirement for for a new automatic gearbox and a new radiator. All together with labour, this will cost in excess of £3000. On talking to the warranty company, I have been informed that the maximum single claim is £2000, leaving me some £1000 out of pocket. Given I had the car for less than a week when the problems manifested themselves, and the assurance from the garage who conducted the diagnostic check that this is a problem that the vehicle has had for some time, do I have any legal route for getting the dealer to accept part or all of the remaining bill above what is covered by the warranty?

Although the dealer has not categorically refused to help per se, the impression I get from the one phone call I've had in reply, is that his position is that it's my problem and I should dry my eyes. Ordinarily, I would get on with it and take the pain, but the car has been in possession less than a fortnight, and having paid £8000 for it, i believe it should be fit for purpose!

Any help or hints gratefully received!
Al