Brake chancing

We saw and test-drove a VW Touran just under 3 weeks ago. There was a light on the dashboard, which I thought was the traction control light, and the ESP light near the gearstick was also on. The dealer said this was due to the battery being removed and replaced, which blew a switch, and it wasn't a problem but meant that the ESP light was always on. He said it could be fixed but most people didn't bother as it would cost £500-£600. The dealer gave us what we thought was a good deal, and I paid a deposit of £195 by credit card. He then offered to deliver the car once some cosmetic work was done and it was MoT'd, so we agreed to pay the balance (£6,600) by debit card there and then as he said he would not be able to deliver without that being paid in person. The following day I researched the ESP problem and discovered that not only was it common, but it could cost up to £1,500 to replace. I called the dealer to ask him to fix it. He offered our money back, but we still wanted the car and he agreed to take it for diagnosis. I now have a quote for the repair which is £995 + VAT. I don't want to pay an extra £995+ VAT. I have asked the dealer to get the problem fixed but he has declined saying I knew about it when I bought the car. What can I do?

Asked on 27 February 2010 by C.H., Cherry Burton

Answered by Honest John
He told you a lot of rubbish. This is a serious and well-known fault with the car that immediately makes it worth £1,500 less because that is what it costs to fix. If he won't simply give you all your money back, get onto Trading Standards. TEVES Mk 60 ABS/ESP module failure is a nightmare affecting the whole of the independent used car trade. Typically the wide boys in the business buy the faulty cars at £1,500 under trade book then disconnect the light and sell the car as if it is fine. Unfortunately the only advice I can give it not to buy a Golf Mk V, Golf Mk V Plus, Touran, Altea, Leon, Toledo, Octavia, A3, BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, Volvo S40/V50 or Mazda 3 without either reducing the price by £1,500 or previously checking with a franchised dealer that it either does not have this £1,500 fault or the module has been replaced.
Similar questions
Bearing in mind recent discussion on the Teves Mk 60 ABS system, I have a two-year-old Altea XL 2.0 DSG with which I am very happy and had intended to make it the last car I own. I do about 6,000 miles...
How many readers have AUDI, SEAT, SKODA, or VW products with Teves ABS faults and replacement parts costing £1,170 - £1,300? We currently have had this problem on both a 2.0 TDI SEAT Altea and a 2.0 TDI...
My May 06 Octavia 2.0 TDI has just been diagnosed with the failure of the ABS unit [G201 fault code]. I note your recent comments about VW covering the cost of replacing the pump, but from other comments...
Related models
Great to drive and superbly built. Wide choice of models, improved from 2007 with Efficient Dynamics. 118d is super economical.
Roomy cabin with a decent boot. Distinctive styling. Excellent crash test rating.
Longer than standard Altea. Very roomy inside and a huge boot. Decent amount of kit. Excellent crash test rating.
Stylish design. Excellent road manners. Roomy and well-equipped cabin. An easy car to live with and enjoy. Superb value. FR models are the best.
Well thought of by owners. Huge boot. Spacious and comfortable cabin. Reasonable to drive. Efficient Greenline TDI models.
Comfortable and quiet on the move, enjoyable to drive. Nicely trimmed with great attention to detail. 1.4 TSI sweeter to drive than a diesel.
Solid, small 7-seater with a comfortable ride. 2.0 TDI model is greatly improved by DSG autobox and gets 3 stars.
Comfortable, safe and enjoyable. Good looks, backed up by a decent drive.