I bought a used TT that turned out to have a water leak - is the dealer liable?

I purchased a 2016 Audi TT Roadster from large dealer group in July 2019 - the garage was taken over by another firm three weeks later. In November I heard a sloshing sound behind the passenger seat so I booked it in. The dealer informed me I had a water leak which had got into the amplifier so I would have to pay for a new amplifier and the hours worked on the car. I thought this should have been covered by my warranty or the fact I had only had the car under six months. I was informed this was not the case,

I phoned Audi, the dealers and Trading Standards all to no avail. In the end, I had to wait three weeks for the amplifier to arrive it was then fitted. I collected the car Friday before last and the dealer did give me half the cost of the amplifier off the bill, although I still ended up paying £1500. When I purchased the car in July we had great weather and the car is garaged so did not go out in the rain much but of course, eventually, it was left in the rain for a few hours. The car was an Audi approved used vehicle but I doubt they tested in for a leak, so one would assume it had the leak when I purchased it. My whole problem was no one is prepared to accept responsibility because the garage changed hands after I brought the car.

Asked on 14 December 2019 by Jill Bruce

Answered by Honest John
I think you have a case for a small claim because the fault that led to the water ingress must have been present before you bought the car and the dealer is liable for any fault that could have been present or developing before date of sale for six months from date of sale and much longer than that if it is proven that the car was always faulty. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/ In fact, this is quite a common fault with this generation of Audi TT Roadster.
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