My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

[Bricktop]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

It could actually be the "Flywheel" yep so a costly job!!

For info

A flywheel is the part the clutch bolts to. The flywheel will not be the problem, however it could be damaged by a faulty clutch.

The usual time a flywheel goes faulty is if it is a dual mass flywheel and the coupling has excess play, car will sound like a bag of spanners when letting up the clutch if that is the case.

But the gearbox needs to be removed in any case, the authority for g/box removal should have been asked for a while back and the job proceeded with imo.

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Thank you Bricktop

Yep I remember some time back when we had our Focus flywheel replaced, that involves clutch etc, it cost us directly with the Ford dealer just over £1250, we did have a bit of a discount though, so we never actually paid all that, thankfully.

Right an update, the garage where my son is keeping the car, the guy was actually speaking directly to the dealer (in front of hubby) as my son is on call, so hubby went to find out what is going on. The guy at the garage was actually or practically having a go at the dealer, and said it should be the dealer lending out the car and not them (even though they didnt mind, coz we actually know the guy who works in the garage as well, so that helped).

It's now in the hands of the finance team, where its been said they are to take the car apart (where necessary) to see what the problem could be, as this time they MUST get it right. We should have some news on Monday now, so fingers crossed. (So flywheel, clutch or whatever really, best to get it thoroughly checked) before getting the job done!

Apparantely the guy at the garage said he's had a few issues with the dealer now and had enough, more sharp words were said, best not to repeat them really lol, but as long as the job gets done properly then there be it. My son has had hardly any use of the car since he had it.

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Hubby working afternoons today, so he decided to check to see what is going on with my son's car. My son is working away for a few days, so unable to deal with it, but he did contact me yesterday to say he been leaving messages with the garage on answer-phone to ask for an update but no-one getting back to him, so I tried later in the day yesterday too, again no joy.

So with that, hubby decided to take a trip there himself, so he can see for himself.

What the owner/boss said who has my son's car is that, he did speak to the finance team on Monday, and they said to go ahead by taking this apart etc, around the clutch area I assume, and then as soon as they done that, they have to contact the finance team in order to send the accessor to them.

Now this isnt my thing, but does any of you folks know if this how it works? (Remember this is not going to be dealt with under the warranty) but as my son have had 3 breakdowns in less than 2 months of having the car, something is not right, so it could be the fact that "it may not be fit for purpose" but apparantely its no longer drivable at this stage, despite the fact he managed to get back from London, that was pushing it too.

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

I think this is going "tits up" to be honest!!

Will update later. Think its time I stuck my nose in lol!

[SA Gold]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Hi Di,
I have just picked up on this thread, sorry to hear of your sons agro with this.

As a time-served (main dealer) mechanic i can say that this really depends on the warranty company and level of cover.

With regards to the clutch master cylinder failing three times, it is highly likely this is because of a fault further down the line (as suggested).
I suspect what is happening here is a warranty claim is taking place on the master cylinder via the manufacturer and not the three month warranty for the car so to speak.

If you want to send me a copy of the warranty policy i will take a look over the weekend and come back to you.

3rd party warranties and companies are very good at covering nothing, and also getting out of things too im afraid to say.

Cheers
Missy

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Hi Di,
I have just picked up on this thread, sorry to hear of your sons agro with this.

As a time-served (main dealer) mechanic i can say that this really depends on the warranty company and level of cover.

With regards to the clutch master cylinder failing three times, it is highly likely this is because of a fault further down the line (as suggested).
I suspect what is happening here is a warranty claim is taking place on the master cylinder via the manufacturer and not the three month warranty for the car so to speak.

If you want to send me a copy of the warranty policy i will take a look over the weekend and come back to you.

3rd party warranties and companies are very good at covering nothing, and also getting out of things too im afraid to say.

Cheers
Missy

Hi Missy

Thank you for that ;-)

My son has hold of his details at the moment, but will get them from him to get them up on here.

I did speak to Trading Standards last week (sent them a copy of the advert) excellent conditon etc, all the high comments made on the car of when it was sold, and details of the situation, who did say they are used to dealing with these matters, and it does sound like my son has a good leg to stand on, but at first we need to see what happens once the car is stripped and assessed and go from there.

Its just taking some time at the moment. The awful thing about it is he not had it long and the fact that its already been changed 3 times and I think the garage should have checked the problem more thoroughly before it happened again.
However with the time going on the warranty will be due to run out by the start of next month.

I will post up details when I have them from my son, thanks again ;-)

[Bricktop]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

As a time-served (main dealer) mechanic i can say that this really depends on the warranty company and level of cover.

Given the short length of time even if the warranty didn't cover it (which I suspect it won't) this should fall under the sales of goods act 'fit for purpose' should it not ?

[SA Gold]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Given the short length of time even if the warranty didn't cover it (which I suspect it won't) this should fall under the sales of goods act 'fit for purpose' should it not ?

Quite possibly. I don't know much about the sale of goods act although i know of lots of people p!ssed off with warranty companies. Warranties with a new car from the manufacturer are far more comprehensive than the ones used car sales and third party companies use sadly.

[Bricktop]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Used car warranties cover against 'sudden mechanical failure' - when a used car has done 60K+ miles that sudden mechanical failure is more often than not down to wear and tear.

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Thank you for your input folks.

Today my son was sent pics of the car taken apart, the "Pressure plate" doesnt look good, he has to see them tomorrow, see what they say over the garage if he can get away from work.
So basically, he not had the car for a fortnight when it broken down then again 2 weeks on and so........not good for that to happen is it? With 3 clutch parts already changed, two by the same garage and the other in London. You would have thought thorough checks the second time round would lead to the mechanics to find the problem of it happening again, after all my son is not a mechanic.......LOL!!

Right some pics......

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

What do you think of the pressure plate condition pic above guys please?

Link here to Sales goods of act etc..
http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/markets-work/cars

[SA Gold]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Hi Di,
Pressure plate (first picture) looks pretty tired and battered. Is this the original clutch i take it?

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Hi Di,
Pressure plate (first picture) looks pretty tired and battered. Is this the original clutch i take it?

Yes I think so Missy. We were working it out, he had it for just one week when it first broke down and out of almost 3 months of having the car, he's had about almost 4 scattered weeks out of it.

[SA Gold]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

Yes I think so Missy. We were working it out, he had it for just one week when it first broke down and out of almost 3 months of having the car, he's had about almost 4 scattered weeks out of it.

What a nightmare! Let us know if you think i can help.

[di30]

Re: My son's consumer rights buying used car/recurring problems

What a nightmare! Let us know if you think i can help.

Thank you Missy I appreciate it big time.

My hubby is over the garage now to check things out before he goes to work, as my son is not in office with his job today, and at a meeting, so I shall keep you updated, thank you again ;-)