what are considered 'Reasonable' repairs on 1997 car
I bought a second hand car (1997 Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD) from a dealer. When I bought it, there were leaks underneath which I had noted, and was assured they would be fixed. Being a lay person I don't know what the leaks were.
To date I have had to have:
Rocker cover replaced
Head gasket replaced
No 1 injector replaced
There is still oil in the radiator (which I'm told is due to the gasket changing .. 'it will take a while to clear out')
I now have only very luke warm heating
The power steering failed 2 weeks ago
It still leaves leaks from the engine everywhere I park.
The battery had a use by date of March 2010 on it, so I've got a new one.
I paid £400 towards the cost of the head gasket ... although talking to other people the fact it still seems to be leaking suggests it could have a cracked head which is about £1500 plus worth of work.
The garage has quoted me £200 for the power steering (other garages have quoted £500+)
Having only had the car 5 months I know that there could be a claim via the sale of good act 1997. However because of the age of the vehicle Consumer Direct have said I have to consider what is reasonable ...
I don't think that over £2000 of work on a car I paid £2000 is reasonable and feel that the car is not fit for purpose. I had bought it with the intention of being able to tow a caravan (on paper an easily achievable task for this car), and to be safe in winter.
Until the head gasket was repaired the car could barely get itself up a small hill let alone take a caravan. And since the weather has turned colder it has not started once of it's own accord - instead relying on friends / AA to get it started. Again totally useless to me.
On Friday the 'check engine' light came on again... which is what it did when the head gasket went and the car also refused to start again after an 8 mile journey. The AA have told me that it looks as if the alternator has now failed (another £200 repair bill)
Can you please advise what my options would be when taking it back to the garage again tomorrow. I really would like to just take it back and get my money back - but I don't know if this is a realistic option?
To date I have had to have:
Rocker cover replaced
Head gasket replaced
No 1 injector replaced
There is still oil in the radiator (which I'm told is due to the gasket changing .. 'it will take a while to clear out')
I now have only very luke warm heating
The power steering failed 2 weeks ago
It still leaves leaks from the engine everywhere I park.
The battery had a use by date of March 2010 on it, so I've got a new one.
I paid £400 towards the cost of the head gasket ... although talking to other people the fact it still seems to be leaking suggests it could have a cracked head which is about £1500 plus worth of work.
The garage has quoted me £200 for the power steering (other garages have quoted £500+)
Having only had the car 5 months I know that there could be a claim via the sale of good act 1997. However because of the age of the vehicle Consumer Direct have said I have to consider what is reasonable ...
I don't think that over £2000 of work on a car I paid £2000 is reasonable and feel that the car is not fit for purpose. I had bought it with the intention of being able to tow a caravan (on paper an easily achievable task for this car), and to be safe in winter.
Until the head gasket was repaired the car could barely get itself up a small hill let alone take a caravan. And since the weather has turned colder it has not started once of it's own accord - instead relying on friends / AA to get it started. Again totally useless to me.
On Friday the 'check engine' light came on again... which is what it did when the head gasket went and the car also refused to start again after an 8 mile journey. The AA have told me that it looks as if the alternator has now failed (another £200 repair bill)
Can you please advise what my options would be when taking it back to the garage again tomorrow. I really would like to just take it back and get my money back - but I don't know if this is a realistic option?
Asked on 11 December 2011 by akamilly
Answered by
Honest John
The problem is that this is a 14 year old car for which you originally paid £2,000. What you describe is to be expected. It is unreasonable to expect a 14 year old car that originally cost £20,000 and was bought for £2,000 to be in the condition it was originally.
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