Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 08:36
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - Chris nancekivell

Recently purchased my focus second hand from my local car dealer,upon checking through the paper work at home I discovered that a tow bar has been fitted which was a bonus as I planned to put one on anyway- however I've been unable to find the detachable swan neck bar which should have been there. Phoned the dealer who were unaware that it had one, but would try and trace the towbar through the previous owner, but to no avail. They then said that they would try and find one for me by finding out the serial no.on the towbar mounting on the car,this has proved to be not the case, but they said that a new one could be put on the car but I would have to pay for it!. Now prove me wrong but I was led to believe that because the towbar is already on the car- whether or not they knew it was on the car when they sold the car to me in the first place- they should honour the fact that the towbar is missing and should be with the car therefore they should foot the bill for replacing the towbar?. I'm currently waiting on them to find out if they will replace the towbar.

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 09:50
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - RichardW

If it wasn't advertised as having a towbar, and you didn't make it clear that the sale was conditional on the same, then I think you don't have a leg to stand on.

We had similar on our current C4 Picasso - discovered a tow bar shortly after purchase, but removable part missing. I wrote to the previous keeper (see the V5) and he still had it so I got it off him (well I had to buy it off him, but I got 2 number plates as well, which nearly covered the cost!).

Edited by RichardW on 02/02/2018 at 09:51

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 14:12
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - Palcouk

Your assumptions are incorrect, you will have to pay for it

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 16:03
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - RobJP

Your assumptions are incorrect, you will have to pay for it

As said. It was not advertised to you as having a towbar, and it was most certainly not a deciding factor in your purchase. As such, you have no rights to make any 'demands' over it.

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 17:15
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - skidpan

upon checking through the paper work at home I discovered that a tow bar has been fitted which was a bonus

So when you got the car home and looked through the paperwork you discovered the car had, at one time, been fitted with a towbar. Before you spotted that info you were blissfully unaware of the fact.

Now you expect the seller to fit you one for free.

Dream on.

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 20:54
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - Bromptonaut

As others say you discovered car has tow bar basics, presumably including electrics, already fitted. You're just missing the detachable bit which, if you cannot get it from previous owner, you could probably source from a caravan dealer or towbar specialist such as Witter.

Cost me £700 to get a dealer fit detachable towbar and modern single electrics on my Berlingo. Even if the cast steel swan neck bit costs you £200 you're quids in compared with a standard car with nothing.

As to dealer providing you're in a dream world.

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Fri 2 Feb 2018 21:00
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - RT

If it's a Witter towbar, they'll sell you the detachable part, around £150 last time I enquired - if you've got the rest for free you've still got a good deal.

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Sat 3 Feb 2018 13:54
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - SLO76
Unless they specifically mentioned (and you can prove it) that it had one then no I don’t see how they can be held at fault for something that was added by a previous owner. If the car is otherwise ok then you’re no worse off than you would’ve been and you haven’t paid extra for that tow bar. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect the dealer to pay however if I had sold it to you I’d do a tow bar at cost to meet you in the middle and possibly keep a punter sweet.
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Sat 3 Feb 2018 19:53
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - KJP 123

Most 2nd hand buyers are probably more concerned that regular towing of something heavy has put extra strain on the car: hence visible part of expensive accessory is removed, probably by previous owner rather than dealer. But I don’t think I’ve told anyone anything new.

And I don’t think that the dealer is responsible either.

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Sat 17 Feb 2018 22:03
Ford Focus 2011 - Towbar- missing - Dvh

Double check right under the car, some are retractable towbars, which are released from within the boot. not just a removeable swan neck

Had one on my c max, there should be a round cover in the boot area, remove and there will be a large red control knob with a key in the middle if one is fitted.

my towbar was only visible if you went right under the car and looked up under the bumper

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