Bought a car and it has issues advice needed

[ellie7x]

Hi everyone,
On the 26th of March I have bought an Audi a1 1.2 2011 with 82k miles on it.
I have bought this car from Chester le Street from a dealer and I live in Cannock. It’s a 3.5 hour drive roughly.
About a week ago it has developed a rattling noise so I took it to a nearby Vw audi specialist and they diagnosed a lot of issues. Firstly they said the timing chain is noisy on startup.
The turbo waste gate is rattling and the battery is on 22% charge (battery is from when the car was new). The alternator is overcharging at 16v. Stop start doesn’t work and there is some electrical issues with the dash going off.

I have called the place where I got it from and they said they want to look at it themselves. They have also said the car had a new timing chain done 2 years ago (told by the previous owners son) but there is nothing on this in the service history or anything.

The car has FULL service history from Audi since new every year. Turbo has been serviced at 14000 miles by Audi.

Issue is I can’t just get off work for how ever many days this may take them to resolve, and I’m worried they’re gonna say nothing is wrong with it although I have the report from the vw audi specialist. They say they can’t provide a courtesy car, but they said they have a car I could borrow but I have to insure it myself, which is a 2008 Astra.

What are my rights in this situation? Do they have to provide a courtesy car? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I'd say it's up to you to get it to the dealer.

Think of it from the dealer's perspective. It sounds to me like they are being quite fair?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I should say I used to be a dealer, so probably would side with them.

[ellie7x]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I'd say it's up to you to get it to the dealer.

Think of it from the dealer's perspective. It sounds to me like they are being quite fair?

I mean don’t they have to be quite fair? I’ve had the car 3 weeks and was told it has a full service history, no issues whatsoever and now there’s problems all of a sudden. I know because I’ve had ownership for less than 3 months that They’re entitled to fix it or give me my money back. I’d hate to have to have a week off work unpaid (can’t afford to do that) or use my holidays for me to travel up there, have the car fixed and then get back down home and then another problem emerges.

[carreauchompeur]

Yep, unfortunately the fact you’ve bought it from a long distance away is a ‘you’ problem….they have to be given a chance to fix it.

Big dealer, small dealer?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

ellie7x said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I'd say it's up to you to get it to the dealer.

Think of it from the dealer's perspective. It sounds to me like they are being quite fair?

I mean don’t they have to be quite fair? I’ve had the car 3 weeks and was told it has a full service history, no issues whatsoever and now there’s problems all of a sudden. I know because I’ve had ownership for less than 3 months that They’re entitled to fix it or give me my money back. I’d hate to have to have a week off work unpaid (can’t afford to do that) or use my holidays for me to travel up there, have the car fixed and then get back down home and then another problem emerges.

As said, that's why if you buy an oldish car you are better doing it locally. Cars do go wrong.

I know that's no help, sorry about that.

[ellie7x]

carreauchompeur said:

Yep, unfortunately the fact you’ve bought it from a long distance away is a ‘you’ problem….they have to be given a chance to fix it.

Big dealer, small dealer?

Small dealer. My mam and dad (who live nearer to the garage) bought the car for me. The dealers were aware I lived far away and they offered me a £500 warranty however the warranty company are saying they don’t cover the issues I have so it’s down to the dealer.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

ellie7x said:

carreauchompeur said:

Yep, unfortunately the fact you’ve bought it from a long distance away is a ‘you’ problem….they have to be given a chance to fix it.

Big dealer, small dealer?

Small dealer. My mam and dad (who live nearer to the garage) bought the car for me. The dealers were aware I lived far away and they offered me a £500 warranty however the warranty company are saying they don’t cover the issues I have so it’s down to the dealer.

How can the warranty company say that at this stage? I'd be challenging that. Anyhoo, I see your options as

1) Get the car back to the dealer somehow. (Are you in the AA or other breakdown?)
2) Get it fixed locally

Good luck. I hope it works out

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

If you do get it fixed locally maybe supplying dealer might make a contribution? These things do happen.

[ellie7x]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

ellie7x said:

carreauchompeur said:

Yep, unfortunately the fact you’ve bought it from a long distance away is a ‘you’ problem….they have to be given a chance to fix it.

Big dealer, small dealer?

Small dealer. My mam and dad (who live nearer to the garage) bought the car for me. The dealers were aware I lived far away and they offered me a £500 warranty however the warranty company are saying they don’t cover the issues I have so it’s down to the dealer.

How can the warranty company say that at this stage? I'd be challenging that. Anyhoo, I see your options as

1) Get the car back to the dealer somehow. (Are you in the AA or other breakdown?)
2) Get it fixed locally

Good luck. I hope it works out

Yes my car insurance includes breakdown cover but not sure which company exactly. I would have liked to have it fixed locally at the garage who I went to for advice in the first place however if the dealer won’t agree to that then 🤷🏻‍♀️ I just feel like the dealer has motivation to lie about the issues. They said they want to check the car but if they check it and say the Audi/VW specialists were incorrect then what then?

[Ryyy]

Temporary insurance wouldnt that expensive if you were to use cuvva for a week whilst they fixed it but I think there would have to be an understanding the cars needs to be done in a week to avoid further hassle, would certainly be a lot cheaper than the repair bill. I know its not the best solution but that's cars for you, especially out of town

I'd also ring citizens/consumer advice about if they were too back heel it.

Edited by Ryyy on Friday 22 April 17:43

[Muzzer79]

ellie7x said:

Yes my car insurance includes breakdown cover but not sure which company exactly. I would have liked to have it fixed locally at the garage who I went to for advice in the first place however if the dealer won’t agree to that then ??????? I just feel like the dealer has motivation to lie about the issues. They said they want to check the car but if they check it and say the Audi/VW specialists were incorrect then what then?

Think of it from the dealer's perspective.

You have gone to an Audi/VW specialist, whom the dealer won't know. How do they know that this specialist doesn't have a motivation to lie about the issues and create a job for themselves?

They naturally want to inspect it themselves. If you had sold something of value that had gone wrong, you'd want to inspect it before you refunded or repaired it, I'm sure.

As you are the one claiming that there is a problem, you ultimately need to get the car to them.

However, I would ask them that if you get the car to them and there is indeed an issue with it, they refund you the cost of transport to get it there - that is reasonable.

If they say they can't find anything wrong with it, it will be up to you to prove that there is something wrong with it. That will mean obtaining an independent engineer's report or similar.

[rikdogguk]

With the number of issues which have been identified and it being a small dealer I would think it unlikely it would be repaired to my satisfaction. Unless it was an absolute bargain I would be exercising my 28 day right to reject and dropping the car back at the dealer for a full refund. Much as that would be a pain in the arse and likely need a days annual leave and be out of pocket the travel costs.

Edited by rikdogguk on Friday 22 April 18:32

[bearman68]

rikdogguk said:

With the number of issues which I have identified and it being a small dealer I would think it unlikely it would be repaired to my satisfaction. Unless it was an absolute bargain I would be exercising my 28 day right to reject and dropping the car back at the dealer for a full refund. Much as that would be a pain in the arse and likely need a days annual leave and be out of pocket the travel costs.

I think this is sensible advice. These engines are pretty rubbish, so have a refund and buy something with a better reputation. You'll be better off all round.

[Canon_Fodder]

The right to reject is 30 days... The OP is perilously close to that expiring