Renault Espace - Major Engine Fault after recent purchase - Please

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Tue 10 Jan 2012 20:20
Renault Espace - Major Engine Fault after recent purchase - Please - simmo192

Hi,

I recently purchased a Renault Espace diesel from a garage. It was a part ex that they had taken in and were selling on.

They advertised it as having a fault which was that it needed a new water pump. However when I came to purchase the vehicle they were very vague and said that they could not see a leak from the engine but that it needed topping up with antifreeze.

On the receipt it said that it was sold with a fault no warranty implied or given.

I drove the four hour drive home only to find that the head gasket has blown taking with it both heater matrices which were leaking from under the dashboard, clouds of white smoke and I am now looking at a £1000 repair bill. I only purchase the car two weeks ago.

Additionally the car was sold as having 75000 miles on the clock, however when I got the car home and read through the paperwork I realised that it had a new speedo at 43000 miles so the actual mileage is 118000. This was never mentioned at any point during the sale.

Since the car is now not drivable there is no way I can drive it four hours back to the garage.

I am about to take it to a local specialist to start on the repair work which will cost not much less than I paid for the whole car.

Please could someone tell me where I stand legally?

Do I have a leg to stand on?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Many Thanks,

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Tue 10 Jan 2012 23:42
Renault Espace - Major Engine Fault after recent purchase - Please - tony g
Hi ,
Simmo.

Garages can legally sell a car with a fault ,providing that they point out the fault to you, and for their own protection indicate in writing that the car was sold with a fault.
However they cannot legally sell a car as seen without warranty.

As they appear to have indicated a fault to you ,I don't think you can make a claim.

The mileage issue may allow you to return the car for a refund.if you can prove that the dealer advertised the car with 75000 miles ,or that they gave you an invoice showing 75000 miles. That would make the contract void ,the garage would be guilty of misrepresentation under the 1967 act.the act requires sellers to check the accuracy of any statements they make,to induce a sale.

It's easy for dealers to check though HPI and the direct gov /MOT history website.to see if a cars mileage is likely to be genuine.

Finally given that you appear to have paid approx £1000 ,for the car,and that you could probably sell it for £500 on e bay as a non runner,would you be better off cutting your losses and not having the car repaired.

Good luck with the car,

Please let the forum know the outcome.

Regards


Tony g
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