My car battery failed after just four weeks - is the dealer liable?

I bought a five year old Vauxhall Cascada from a main dealer which included a two year NetworkQ warranty. In the first week of using it I reported a number of faults including the ECO Stop-Start did not seem to be working. The car went back to their workshop and the identified faults fixed. Four weeks (and two thousand miles) from buying it, the battery failed terminally (8v only and unable to jump start) and the RAC recommended a new battery at £208. The dealer has refused any help on this as they say I had replaced the part instead of taking it to them to be fixed. Short of having the car towed it was impossible to start or use. Do you think I should ask the dealer principle to get involved? Given I reported it (via email) and the battery failed so soon after the purchase?

Asked on 7 August 2018 by Barry

Answered by Honest John
It's not worth taking to Small Claims, but you could initiate the process and that might push the dealer into being more reasonable. Tricky, though, because 80 Vauxhall dealers are about to get the chop under PSA rationalisation, and he might simply not care any more.
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