Chrysler built a long time before it was registered

I purchased a 300C SRT demo with low mileage from Synter Group dealership on 7 October 2010.

V5 states "new at first registration 03/03/2010", noticed heavy rust on some bolt heads, not long after delivery had transmission problem which has just been replaced by Chrysler after 10 months.

While waiting for the transmission solution I looked on the Chrysler US website customer service section to check if there were any further recalls on my vehicle. On entering the last 8 digits of the VIN it came back with a full description of the car and said there were "no outstanding recalls"

It was then I noticed that the car was shown to be a "2008 Model Year" car. On further investigation I found that the car was built on 17/1/2008 !!!!

So 26 months had passed since date of manufacture and first registration, which means I don't for a moment think this could have been considered to be a new car.

What is the legal position of Chrysler as I consider them to have been fraudulent or at least guilty of misrepresentation.

I have written to the Synter Group Chrysler Franchise Director who expedited the transmission solution but fails to respond at all concerning the age of the car at first registration.

Asked on 5 October 2011 by terderry

Answered by Honest John

With low volume cars, this sort of thing is often the case. About a year ago there were a batch of E60 BMW 525SE autos assembled in Thailand in 2004/2005 and never sold there being sold in the UK as 'new', even though their emissions were way above a 'new' E60 at the time. Much will hinge on what you paid for the car. I am assuming you got something in the order of a £10k discount on 'list', in which case I don't think the courts will be sympathetic.

Tags: buying new cars legal issues

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