Hello

I recently purchase a 3 month old Ford Fiesta with less than 400 miles on the clock. It was from a non-franchised dealer. In the showroom there were a number of posters on the wall that said if the car they sold only had one car key then that is all they could supply. Because of those posters I specifically asked whether the car I finally decided upon had 2 keys and the salesman said yes. I then paid a deposit.

When we came to pay and collect the car the following weekend there was no 2nd key and the salesman said that it was probably filed away in the office and they would have to wait until Monday to find it. I got up to leave and said that when they found the key I would come back and complete the deal and take the car away. The salesman asked me not to do that and reassured me that with their 30 years of being in business and lots of repeat custom because of their aftersales service that they would 'sort something out' with regards to the missing key.

In hindsight I wish I stuck to my guns because after a number of phone calls I am told that they are still searching the office, or some other office, and as of yet have not found the key. The last time we spoke I was asked whether I had received a cheque from them. The salesman said they had sent me £50, and were still looking for the key.

The following day in the post a letter arrived with a refund to the debit card that I used to purchase the vehicle. The letter mentions a refund but no reason.

I don't want this gesture to be considered a payment in lieu of the missing car key. I would simply like the 2nd car key that I was originally told would come with the car. After a bit of research it looks like a new key from Ford is about £250, plus losing the car for 1/2 day. I know there are cheaper alternatives.

To me this is a case of principles. My question is do I have any legal leg to stand on with regards to getting the dealer to supply me the key, or a new key? Do I need to continue the discussion by letter stating that I am not accepting the payment if it is meant to be in lieu of the 2nd key. Or am I being unreasonable here and should just accept the money and get my own key sorted out?