Dear all,
Any one had experience of this ?
Basically to cut a long story short I purchased a SEAT Leon 2 weeks ago from a dealer, with the car as part of this scheme.
Over the last few days having had a chance to go over it with a fine toothcomb, it seems clear that the car has had an accident and probably had both nearside doors replaced, along with other miscellaneous faults - including strange window markings previously posted on the technical forum.
I will be having a forceful discussion with the dealer tomorrow morning therefore.
The terms and conditions of the scheme make reference to a "No quibble, 30 day, unlimited mileage exchange". I intend to take this up therefore.
Any thoughts/experience ?
Cheers,
Steve
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Steve, sorry to hear of your problems. I bought a Seat approved used car with no problems at all - not much help to you though. There is a couple of dedicated Seat owners websites, the actual addresses escapes at the moment, but there is a link from HJ's car-by-car breakdown. Maybe they could give you some help ?
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Thanks Robert.
Car is booked in to dealer tomorrow afternoon to hopefully resolve these issues. I intend to reject the car under the terms of the scheme. Obviously I am hoping for a full refund but may be forced to accept an exchange car.
Anyone rejected a (used) car outright and had a refund under similar circumstances ?
Steve
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I bought my new shape diesel Ibiza from a dealer under this scheme. It's been fine, other than when the alternator went when it snowed last winter.
Under the terms of the scheme I suspect you'll be able to exchange it for another car, not the piile of money you handed over.
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Matthew Kelly
No, not that one.
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"Under the terms of the scheme I suspect you'll be able to exchange it for another car, not the pile of money you handed over."
...and indeed you were right. Exchanged for an almost identical (in the right way) Leon 110 TDi. The constant rain doesn't help matters when trying to go over a car, time will tell however.
Refund was not an option.
Thanks all,
Steve
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Good for you - pleased you got it sorted.
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Cheers PU.
Dealer tried to make out that the problem with the windows (in the Technical forum) was tree sap .... I pointed out that no sap I had ever seen before had scarred and pitted windows, and rusted!!!
After taking them round the rest of the problems on the car however, he had no excuse and immediately offered a substitute.
Steve
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Kind of makes you wonder why they had it for sale in the first place.
If the problems were obvious to you and the dealer, were they just hoping that they could pull the wool over the eyes of someone less diligent ?
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Matthew Kelly
No, not that one.
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Of course they were - wouldn't you?
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Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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I was somewhat surprised that I had managed to pick such a le(m)on in the first place...
Hopefully the replacement will be better, and I did spend a lot longer going over the car (albeit in the rain). Now with a better eye for what to look at. Will have no hesitation however rejecting again if necessary.
One of the replacement cars I test drove yesterday afternoon had clearly warped front disks. Braking was a disaster from any speed. The dealer obviously doesn't inspect/drive their stock before putting them up for sale on the lot.
Steve
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Not many dealers do, why spend a fortune on new brake discs if the car is going to sit on a forecourt for weeks and need new ones again anyway?
I seem to remember Honda brake discs being terrible for this they would rot in a matter of weeks and need replacing.
Blue
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Forget the SEAT Scheme and rejuct it under the new consumer protection laws.
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Which laws and why would you recommend statute (or statutory instrument) over a contract Mark?
It's much, much easier to point to a specific term in a contract than to argue that a car isn't as decribed (e.g., if it's not promised to be accident free, you can't really imply that it was promised it would be), not fit for purpose (it almost certainly is, albeit not very good) or not of satisfactory quality (probably the best argument you could use here under the general law).
However satisfactory quality is subjective, and while you can have a strong subjective argument, it's much better to have a black and white one in contract. That's not to say that a contractual provision supercedes your statutory rights and I wouldn't condone a dealer's doing this, but contracts should be less open to interpretation than trying liken your particular case to case law.
In any case, the deal is done now and Steve seems happy with the result.
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hmmm ... only time will tell if Steve is happy with the result. There's nothing like washing a new car to spot the imperfections. I don't intend to be obsessive over it of course, however another 30 days starts from pick up which I will use again if necessary!
I did think about exploring the statute option, however I just wanted rid of the Le(m)on quickly without weeks of wrangling.
Expect to pick it up next week.
Steve
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You got the right result using the correct process. Why make it hard for yourself eh ?
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As a recent SEAT owner, I can say that the product is good (for the money) but the dealers simply don't have enough product knowledge.
Take a look at seatcupra.net - the forums are quite interesting. Basically (my view) is that the product is loved (not just liked) but the dealer service has much to be desired.
Hope the new car turns out OK - the Leon is great to drive!
El Dingo.
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This is so true about almost every retail operation these days. If I was in the retail business I would offer extra pay for product knowledge.
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This is so true about almost every retail operation these days. If I was in the retail business I would offer extra pay for product knowledge.
Motor factors, DIY stores, builders merchants.....
I quite agree PU
H
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Agree also.
The '03 plate SE model is being replaced by a '53 plate SX model - now on Wednesday.
Salesman didn't have a clue about the badge change - SX has exactly the same features as the earlier SE model, with the inclusion of colour coded lower bumpers and aluminium type trim inside.
Turns out the '04 SE model has been upgraded to the 130 bhp PD TDi (seen the current thread in Technical), with a few more features (upgraded alloys etc).
All this was 'discovered through own research, not an informed discussion with the dealer ...
Steve
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