Main Dealer = Main Stealer? - Update

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Sat 29 Sep 2001 17:30
Main Dealer = Main Stealer? - Update - Alastair
Previous post explained purchase of Range Rover from LR main dealer. Sold with FSH and 12 months MoT (documents to follow). I had LR specialist inspection who queried any recent service and said it would not pass an MOT. I discover it had actually missed 4 of 6 major services and had just 2 months MOT. No interest from dealer whatsoever in rectifying. They claimed nothing wrong with vehicle as it had just been through their workshop. So, I put it in for an MOT. Result - Most brake pipes so corroded that they had expanded plus other items which supported the initial inspection by LR specialist. Testing station deemed the vehicle unroadworthy. Called dealer HO (clue - scribing instrument and fire breathing creature). Proverbial hit the fan and they sent 2 lads to collect and refund my money. The lads, one was a 'technician' had not been told about the brake pipes, so looked at them and confirmed they were ' totally shot'. Still he drove it back 70 miles on the motorway. (That string about tailgating pales to insignificance at the thought of 2.5 tonnes of unroadworthy unbraked vehicle on the motorway!).
The good news is I got my purchase money back. Bad news is I am still waiting for money for parts I had fitted, inspections etc. Doubt I will ever see that as I have not had one letter or call of apology in all this time.
Land Rover, I have made an eternal promise never to muddy one of your 'Tombraider' (read Walletraider) dealer doormats ever again.
Anybody wishing to know which dealer near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire this was just mail me. I have spoken to others locally and I know I am not the only one getting bad service from them.
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Sat 29 Sep 2001 18:18
Re: Main Dealer = Main Stealer? - Update - Dwight Van-Driver
Alastair....

This is a dreadful case. It is an offence to sell a vehicle in a dangerous condition and brakes form part of that. You have the evidence from a LR Specialist and further from those that carried out the MOT.
Refer the matter to your local Trading Standards Office and see if they will take it further as many monitor such outlets. By taking it further you may save someones life.
As to the parts you fitted seems like a Small Claims Court job which you can take yourself.
Is the Outlet a member of any Assocation of the Motor Trade, if so they should be informed.
Good luck.
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Sat 29 Sep 2001 21:01
Re: Main Dealer = Main Stealer? - Update - Andrew Hamilton
When I needed an automatic at short notice, as one leg u/s there were two locally available. I got a friendly garage to go round and check them out. Saved money as got verbal report. Well worth it as avoided the dodgy motor.
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Sat 29 Sep 2001 21:22
Re: Main Dealer = Main Stealer? - Update - Alastair
So do I normally, but I thought (foolishly) that buying from a main dealer who said it had been through their workshop was enough. Oh, hindsight - never again!
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Sat 29 Sep 2001 22:01
Re: Main Dealer = Main Stealer? - Update - Andrew Hamilton
Getting another garage to check it out is quick and prevents salesman from pestering you. I cannot wait for the EEC to finally destroy the block exemption!
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