Car advertised and sold with wrong spec, what to do?
Discussion
Hi,
7 months ago my dad bought an Astra from the local Vauxhall dealer - a 2006 1.6 Active Estate. That's what it was advertised as and subsequently sold as and states it on the dealer receipt and paperwork.
He's just about to renew his insurance and has been on a few insurance comparison sites, as you do. Every time he's tapped his registration number in the details have pre-filled on the forms as a 1.4. As this happened a couple of times, he's had a look through everything he was given when he bought the car, which all state 1.6, except on the log book where, lo and behold, it states it's a 1.4, not a 1.6.
On finding that it's a 1.4, he called the dealership, who said they'll look into it, but said there's no difference in the selling price of a 1.4 and a 1.6.
He had the same reaction as me to this, which was b
ks.
At the moment he's contacting a consumer helpline of some description, but was wondering if there's any wisdom out here as to what he should do?
I've had a quick look at Parkers and there valuation between the two cars is about £300, which I think is the least he should be asking for, due to miss-selling.
Does anybody have any experience with dealing with something like this? It's been too long to ask for a refund or an exchange of car, but what do you think he should be expecting?
Cheers
Si
7 months ago my dad bought an Astra from the local Vauxhall dealer - a 2006 1.6 Active Estate. That's what it was advertised as and subsequently sold as and states it on the dealer receipt and paperwork.
He's just about to renew his insurance and has been on a few insurance comparison sites, as you do. Every time he's tapped his registration number in the details have pre-filled on the forms as a 1.4. As this happened a couple of times, he's had a look through everything he was given when he bought the car, which all state 1.6, except on the log book where, lo and behold, it states it's a 1.4, not a 1.6.
On finding that it's a 1.4, he called the dealership, who said they'll look into it, but said there's no difference in the selling price of a 1.4 and a 1.6.
He had the same reaction as me to this, which was b
ks.At the moment he's contacting a consumer helpline of some description, but was wondering if there's any wisdom out here as to what he should do?
I've had a quick look at Parkers and there valuation between the two cars is about £300, which I think is the least he should be asking for, due to miss-selling.
Does anybody have any experience with dealing with something like this? It's been too long to ask for a refund or an exchange of car, but what do you think he should be expecting?
Cheers
Si
My dad doesn't drive anywhere very quickly, so I'm not surprised he's not noticed it.
Consumer Direct have now said that sales of goods act covers this - it's been incorrectly sold and advertised as a higher spec model and as such should be compensated for.
Was wondering really if anyone else had had a similar situation and what the outcome was? I was thinking at least the cash or maybe the equivalent (or more?) in servicing?
Edited to add - the car was taxed when purchased, he's only had it 7 months so it's not needed renewing yet. When my dad insured it, he merely swapped the car on his current policy and told the insurance company it was a 1.6.
Consumer Direct have now said that sales of goods act covers this - it's been incorrectly sold and advertised as a higher spec model and as such should be compensated for.
Was wondering really if anyone else had had a similar situation and what the outcome was? I was thinking at least the cash or maybe the equivalent (or more?) in servicing?
Edited to add - the car was taxed when purchased, he's only had it 7 months so it's not needed renewing yet. When my dad insured it, he merely swapped the car on his current policy and told the insurance company it was a 1.6.
Edited by siwebster on Monday 10th January 14:51
siwebster said:
My dad doesn't drive anywhere very quickly, so I'm not surprised he's not noticed it.
He hasn't really suffered any detriment then has he?siwebster said:
Consumer Direct have now said that sales of goods act covers this - it's been incorrectly sold and advertised as a higher spec model and as such should be compensated for.
Was wondering really if anyone else had had a similar situation and what the outcome was? I was thinking at least the cash or maybe the equivalent (or more?) in servicing?
If a 1.4 is worth less than a 1.6, maybe they'll credit you a little of the difference, less the fuel cost they've saved your dad by selling him a more frugal car then he expected. . . . . Was wondering really if anyone else had had a similar situation and what the outcome was? I was thinking at least the cash or maybe the equivalent (or more?) in servicing?
Just because the logbook says 1.4 doesn't mean it is.
You need to, and by this the garage you bought it from needs to determine what engine is in the car.
It could turn out the log book is what is wrong, and hence the DVLA info which is what the insurance companies would use as reference.
If it really is a 1.4 then you should either haggle to get the value lost plus good will gesture back, or a trade in to the correct or newer/better model.
You need to, and by this the garage you bought it from needs to determine what engine is in the car.
It could turn out the log book is what is wrong, and hence the DVLA info which is what the insurance companies would use as reference.
If it really is a 1.4 then you should either haggle to get the value lost plus good will gesture back, or a trade in to the correct or newer/better model.
CraigyMc said:
siwebster said:
My dad doesn't drive anywhere very quickly, so I'm not surprised he's not noticed it.
Didn't he read the V5?For those of you that think he should have checked the V5 - it would have arrived a couple of weeks after he'd taken the car, all of the paperwork from the dealership (and the advert) stated it was a 1.6.
He's not a petrolhead, the car is a tool for getting from one place to another, so it doesn't hold a great deal of interest. As it was from a major franchised dealer I guess he took it as gospel that what they repeatedly said was correct.
Anyway, I'm not really interested in how this managed to go undetected, more about what to do know, can anyone point me in the right direction?
300bhp/ton said:
Just because the logbook says 1.4 doesn't mean it is.
You need to, and by this the garage you bought it from needs to determine what engine is in the car.
It could turn out the log book is what is wrong, and hence the DVLA info which is what the insurance companies would use as reference.
This.You need to, and by this the garage you bought it from needs to determine what engine is in the car.
It could turn out the log book is what is wrong, and hence the DVLA info which is what the insurance companies would use as reference.
All it takes is the wrong code to be entered onto the AFRL system and it will show wrong.
markmullen said:
300bhp/ton said:
Just because the logbook says 1.4 doesn't mean it is.
You need to, and by this the garage you bought it from needs to determine what engine is in the car.
It could turn out the log book is what is wrong, and hence the DVLA info which is what the insurance companies would use as reference.
This.You need to, and by this the garage you bought it from needs to determine what engine is in the car.
It could turn out the log book is what is wrong, and hence the DVLA info which is what the insurance companies would use as reference.
All it takes is the wrong code to be entered onto the AFRL system and it will show wrong.
Is it a good idea to get the garage who sold the car to determine what size the engine is though? Would they not find in their favour regardless - not saying they are dishonest, but why would they make a call against themselves? They already tried the 'there's no difference in price' line...
First thing to do is establish what engine is in the car. Doesn't the VIN number contain some reference to the engine? On an MX-5 for example, a VIN beginning NA8C will indicate a 1.8, NA6C is a 1.6.
Once that's established, I'd update the insurance accordingly and forget about it. If it is a 1.4, any minor amount that the dealer would have overcharged by claiming it was a 1.6 has probably been recouped in fuel savings.
Once that's established, I'd update the insurance accordingly and forget about it. If it is a 1.4, any minor amount that the dealer would have overcharged by claiming it was a 1.6 has probably been recouped in fuel savings.
The Spruce Goose said:
I would edge onto getting them to offer some free services etc. than taking them to court for under the sale of goods act. As it only 0.2 cc and he you dad is happy, go along this route.
This seems a fairly realistic route to me and would probably be best for all concerned. It's a major dealership, so I'm not as concerned as others with the idea that they wouldn't necessarily do a good job - after all, it won't be the sales and admin staff servicing the car will it?This would also avoid any money claim of any sort, but I do think he's entitled to something, why should the dealership get to keep his hard earned cash?
The Spruce Goose said:
I would edge onto getting them to offer some free services etc. than taking them to court for under the sale of goods act. As it only 0.2 cc and he you dad is happy, go along this route.
You would have to claim for losses incurred, the sum is likely to be negligible and not worth going to court over.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff