I've just bought a used Renault Clio which has a dephaser fault - is the dealer liable for repairing it?
In August I bought a Renault Clio from a used car dealer. The car is 54 reg and is on 44,000 miles. I paid £4,800 for it. I have covered fewer than 400 miles since the purchase and have now found out that the dephaser, which I am told runs the valve timing, is wearing out and due to this is making a loud knocking noise. I believe it is clear the fault was there when I bought the car, but as the car still runs and it is not a catastrophic failure am I still covered by the new consumer rights rules that would leave the responsibility for repair with the dealer?
Asked on 13 November 2010 by PB, via email
Answered by
Honest John
In theory, he is liable in law and the law is here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights. If you paid £4,800 in August 2010 for a 54-reg Clio you paid high retail money for it. No way this was a trade sale. But you would have to take the car back to him and give him the opportunity to fix it. If he then refused, that would be the point at which you could start to get legal. If you want further advice, consult: asklucy@honestjohn.co.uk
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