PCP, Faults & Warranty

[Loplop]

Morning All,

Potentially a bit of a long winded one.

Back in May, SWMBO picked up a 20 plate 1.2 Astra Ultimate from Arnold Clark Stoke, sales experience was great, everyone was friendly etc... And during their inspection, the mechanics deemed that the car needed a replacement clutch, so the delivery was pushed back a week.

Upon taking delivery of the car everything seemed great, for the first week or so. Then she started getting an EML and reduced power, limp home would clear after a quick on and off, but the EML would stick around for a week or so provided limp home wasn't triggered again. It got booked in at Arnold Clark, they had a it for a day, 'couldn't find a fault', but acknowledged that it might need to go to Vauxhall and booked us in at our local main dealer. After a full day in Vauxhalls, they assured us that even after a 'thorough test drive', no fault could be found, and sent us away.

Thus ended the 'warranty' with Arnold Clark. However, since that time, the car has thrown numerous EMLs, reduced power, and having driven it myself a number of times, I've noticed the clutch feeling a bit off. Deciding enough was enough, I ordered a little OBD reader, and used the Torque app on my phone. PO299 (something to do with underboosting) and another one relating to the active radiator flap. A quick google presents tales of everything from dirty MAP sensors, to fault turbo wastegates for the 299 code, and detailing that theclutch can feel 'off' particularly when cornering has lead me down the rabbit hole of end float, which Vauxhalls of this era, with any engine appear to be notorious for.

Bear in mind, this isn't my car, so the 'just get rid of it' answer, likely won't fly, but I'm a bit stuck at how best to proceed. The Arnold Clark 'warranty' ran out in August, an extended Warranty is available through Vauxhall for £300 a year, and from what I can tell would even include a full replacement engine. But I know that even then, they're going to try and do everything they can to avoid paying out to repair it.

My big thought is that the car is on PCP, and thus is owned by the finance company, it could be an old wives tale but I believe there has been cases where this has been used as leverage, and the finance companies have a vested interest in pressuring sellers/manufacturers to resolve faults on their property.

So I ask PH, what would you do?

[Loplop]

Anyone?

Apologies if this is better suited to a different area of the forum...

[POIDH]

In writing reject the car as not fit for use.

The fault appeared early enough and was not resolved.

Your legal rights to a working car supercede any Warranty or Arnold Clark shenanigans.

Bail now. Better cars are out there.

[Loplop]

I seriously doubt rejecting the car is a viable option this late in the game.

Besides, I could see my partner just looking for the same car elsewhere, so I think chasing repair would be better for piece of mind

[Trevor555]

Loplop said:

I seriously doubt rejecting the car is a viable option this late in the game.

Besides, I could see my partner just looking for the same car elsewhere, so I think chasing repair would be better for piece of mind

You had the Eml light come on within 30 days of ownership.

You're still having problems with the car relating to the Eml light coming on, albeit 7 months later.

Call citizens advice, you might be surprised what they tell you.

[Loplop]

Trevor555 said:

Loplop said:

I seriously doubt rejecting the car is a viable option this late in the game.

Besides, I could see my partner just looking for the same car elsewhere, so I think chasing repair would be better for piece of mind

You had the Eml light come on within 30 days of ownership.

You're still having problems with the car relating to the Eml light coming on, albeit 7 months later.

Call citizens advice, you might be surprised what they tell you.

We'll give Arnold Clark a go first, then pursue this maybe.

[Sir Bagalot]

Loplop said:

So I ask PH, what would you do?

I'd advise you to read up on the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in relation to cars sold by a dealer.

Loplop said:

I seriously doubt rejecting the car is a viable option this late in the game.

Besides, I could see my partner just looking for the same car elsewhere, so I think chasing repair would be better for piece of mind

Go back to AC and tell them of the problems still experienced. You are covered by CRA 2015 despite what their warranty says.

Is the car financed?

[Loplop]

Sir Bagalot said:

Loplop said:

So I ask PH, what would you do?

I'd advise you to read up on the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in relation to cars sold by a dealer.

Loplop said:

I seriously doubt rejecting the car is a viable option this late in the game.

Besides, I could see my partner just looking for the same car elsewhere, so I think chasing repair would be better for piece of mind

Go back to AC and tell them of the problems still experienced. You are covered by CRA 2015 despite what their warranty says.

Is the car financed?

Yeah the car is on PCP through BMW Financial Services weirdly

[samoht]

There are two separate things here.

The EML is clear cut. The car would fail an MoT if the EML is on, so arguably it's not roadworthy and certainly not fit for purpose. The EML issue showed within a couple of weeks of purchase and still hasn't been fixed. Arnold Clark Stoke need to either fix the car properly so the EML doesn't appear, or replace it.

The 'clutch feeling odd' is hard to quantify. If you think it's end float, you could try and get a garage to check and get a measurement saying there is or isn't a problem. There is some value in getting this measured and reported to the garage within six months of purchase (ie soon!). If a problem arises within six months of purchase it's assumed to be present at the point of sale unless the seller can prove otherwise.

[Loplop]

samoht said:

There are two separate things here.

The EML is clear cut. The car would fail an MoT if the EML is on, so arguably it's not roadworthy and certainly not fit for purpose. The EML issue showed within a couple of weeks of purchase and still hasn't been fixed. Arnold Clark Stoke need to either fix the car properly so the EML doesn't appear, or replace it.

The 'clutch feeling odd' is hard to quantify. If you think it's end float, you could try and get a garage to check and get a measurement saying there is or isn't a problem. There is some value in getting this measured and reported to the garage within six months of purchase (ie soon!). If a problem arises within six months of purchase it's assumed to be present at the point of sale unless the seller can prove otherwise.

My theory with the clutch, is that if it is end-float (which, if we need to, we'll check with a local Vaux Specialist), it is the reason that the clutch was replaced the week before delivery. They thought the clutch was bad and replaced it.

[thelostboy]

Loplop said:

Yeah the car is on PCP through BMW Financial Services weirdly

This will be through Alphera, BMW's brand so it doesn't look so weird.

Out of interest, did they offer an extended warranty at point of sale?

You have consumer rights that last for longer than the week or two deadline that you mentioned, so that strictly speaking shouldn't have been the end of your 60 day warranty.

[Sir Bagalot]

Loplop said:

Sir Bagalot said:

Loplop said:

So I ask PH, what would you do?

I'd advise you to read up on the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in relation to cars sold by a dealer.

Loplop said:

I seriously doubt rejecting the car is a viable option this late in the game.

Besides, I could see my partner just looking for the same car elsewhere, so I think chasing repair would be better for piece of mind

Go back to AC and tell them of the problems still experienced. You are covered by CRA 2015 despite what their warranty says.

Is the car financed?

Yeah the car is on PCP through BMW Financial Services weirdly

If the dealer won't play ball then the finance company certainly will