Used car - where do I stand almost 8 months later?

[adaM3]

We bought in August last year a 2016 Macan S, from a Caffyns Lotus. Fine. 2 year warranty - sweet.

We loved it. But within a week I noticed some issues, knocking noise, scraping noise, washers that weren't washing, and very poor communication with our phones. So it went back in, they had it for a few weeks, then we got it back with some but not all of the issues resolved. So it went back in, with a leaking sunroof now also added to the list. It came back, partially fixed. It went back in, now with yet another one on the list, they sent it to Porsche, it came back mostly fixed. Immediately it went back for something else, came back mostly fixed. I think they've had the car 4, possibly 5 times.

I gave up on the infotainment and paid to have Apple carplay added.

The sunroof is still leaking after they "sorted it" three times at least, and now the air con isn't blowing very cold.

I've told them not to bother with it, that I've had enough and I want them to take it back. On the one hand I think they'll politely laugh at me, but on the other hand why should I keep the crap car they sold me?? I want to ask them to buy it back at current retail price - I think that's fair.

Am I barking at the moon?

[OutInTheShed]

Aircon needing a re-gas is just maintenance on an 8 year old car.

Is there an independent technician who can sort the sun roof?
Would the warranty cover this?

Are these the only significant outstanding faults?

[Boxster5]

The leaking sunroof is more than likely blocked drains which if it’s been to Porsche, should have been sorted. It’s a well known issue (a bit like the drains on a Boxster).
I’d be more worried about the transfer box failing which again is a fairly common failure on Macans.
We had a Macan briefly but I couldn’t gel with it after having 3 Boxsters, now back in another Boxster.

[SFTWend]

I can't see the dealer offering you retail money, but maybe out of goodwill you might be able to negotiate somewhere midway between trade and retail. See what Motorway value it at and use that as a start point.

If the dealer has something in stock you like, that might get you more money for your car.

[blue al]

Getting a Porsche repaired at a lotus dealership sounds like a marriage made for the divorce courts

Yes I do believe on this occasion that your second name may be Osborn…

[samoht]

If the car's had a string of faults which started inside six months of purchase and still aren't all fixed, that sounds like it wasn't of satisfactory quality at the point of sale and, repair attempts having failed, that rejection is an option

https://www.themotorombudsman.org/knowledge-base/w...

The Motor Ombudsman said:

you have to give the selling dealership or garage one opportunity to repair or replace your car, with repair normally being the best option.

If this fails because the same fault persists, or a new inherent fault has developed, you’ve then got two options: a price reduction, meaning you keep the vehicle and get back some of the money you paid for it or, to exercise your final right of rejection

A refund would be minus an offset for the usage you've had, not sure how that would compare to current retail value.

[ZX10R NIN]

blue al said:

Getting a Porsche repaired at a lotus dealership sounds like a marriage made for the divorce courts

Yes I do believe on this occasion that your second name may be Osborn…

Lotus sent it to Porsche & they still haven't fixed it

[ZX10R NIN]

samoht said:

If the car's had a string of faults which started inside six months of purchase and still aren't all fixed, that sounds like it wasn't of satisfactory quality at the point of sale and, repair attempts having failed, that rejection is an option

https://www.themotorombudsman.org/knowledge-base/w...

The Motor Ombudsman said:

you have to give the selling dealership or garage one opportunity to repair or replace your car, with repair normally being the best option.

If this fails because the same fault persists, or a new inherent fault has developed, you’ve then got two options: a price reduction, meaning you keep the vehicle and get back some of the money you paid for it or, to exercise your final right of rejection

A refund would be minus an offset for the usage you've had, not sure how that would compare to current retail value.

As above you can get a refund but they'll take into account usage/condition etc, give them a call they should be sensible.

Did you buy the car outright or do you have some finance on it?

If it's the later then contact the finance company & explain the situation.

[adaM3]

ZX10R NIN said:

samoht said:

If the car's had a string of faults which started inside six months of purchase and still aren't all fixed, that sounds like it wasn't of satisfactory quality at the point of sale and, repair attempts having failed, that rejection is an option

https://www.themotorombudsman.org/knowledge-base/w...

The Motor Ombudsman said:

you have to give the selling dealership or garage one opportunity to repair or replace your car, with repair normally being the best option.

If this fails because the same fault persists, or a new inherent fault has developed, you’ve then got two options: a price reduction, meaning you keep the vehicle and get back some of the money you paid for it or, to exercise your final right of rejection

A refund would be minus an offset for the usage you've had, not sure how that would compare to current retail value.

As above you can get a refund but they'll take into account usage/condition etc, give them a call they should be sensible.

Did you buy the car outright or do you have some finance on it?

If it's the later then contact the finance company & explain the situation.

Thanks you two, that's exactly the sort of thing I'm hoping for. In this day and age we always have some sort of right don't we?

I'm hoping they will make contact with me today, as he was on annual leave yesterday. The service manager said he'd look to get the car booked in again to which I said thank you, but I am no longer interested in having it fixed.

We paid retail for it (£28k), (no finance), I will expect a retail offer for it (say £24k). They made a profit selling it the first time, they shouldn't make another profit on it at my expense, all things considered. Can't see it being an easy battle but I'm up for giving it a go.

[adaM3]

samoht said:

If the car's had a string of faults which started inside six months of purchase and still aren't all fixed, that sounds like it wasn't of satisfactory quality at the point of sale and, repair attempts having failed, that rejection is an option

https://www.themotorombudsman.org/knowledge-base/w...

The Motor Ombudsman said:

you have to give the selling dealership or garage one opportunity to repair or replace your car, with repair normally being the best option.

If this fails because the same fault persists, or a new inherent fault has developed, you’ve then got two options: a price reduction, meaning you keep the vehicle and get back some of the money you paid for it or, to exercise your final right of rejection

A refund would be minus an offset for the usage you've had, not sure how that would compare to current retail value.

I look forward to quoting that later, thank you

[adaM3]

So he didn't really argue, said he'd speak to his director and come back to me. Which he did, saying they would buy the car back at £22k. I said thanks but no thanks, on the basis that I shouldn't suffer a £6.5k loss in 8 months, as well 8 months of aggro.

Essentially I need enough from them to replace with a like for like car, which is £24k. See what tomorrow brings.

Cheers.

[ZX10R NIN]

adaM3 said:

Thanks you two, that's exactly the sort of thing I'm hoping for. In this day and age we always have some sort of right don't we?

I'm hoping they will make contact with me today, as he was on annual leave yesterday. The service manager said he'd look to get the car booked in again to which I said thank you, but I am no longer interested in having it fixed.

We paid retail for it (£28k), (no finance), I will expect a retail offer for it (say £24k). They made a profit selling it the first time, they shouldn't make another profit on it at my expense, all things considered. Can't see it being an easy battle but I'm up for giving it a go.

That's their business model & they WILL be coming into it with the intention of making a profit,

You suffer the worst of the depreciation in this situation, if you're expecting 24k I think you'll be disappointed expect 21-22k at best, you may be able to get them to 23k but I wouldn't hold your breath.

See if they have one within their group that meets your requirements & that may help smooth the process.

Good luck.

[adaM3]

ZX10R NIN said:

That's their business model & they WILL be coming into it with the intention of making a profit,

You suffer the worst of the depreciation in this situation, if you're expecting 24k I think you'll be disappointed expect 21-22k at best, you may be able to get them to 23k but I wouldn't hold your breath.

See if they have one within their group that meets your requirements & that may help smooth the process.

Good luck.

Thanks.

Yes, I get that, but, in business there are always headaches, and these often come at a cost. Anyway, I will tell them I need enough from them in order to replace the car like for like - which is £24k. I reasonably hopeful.

[OutInTheShed]

adaM3 said:

So he didn't really argue, said he'd speak to his director and come back to me. Which he did, saying they would buy the car back at £22k. I said thanks but no thanks, on the basis that I shouldn't suffer a £6.5k loss in 8 months, as well 8 months of aggro.

Essentially I need enough from them to replace with a like for like car, which is £24k. See what tomorrow brings.

Cheers.

That's not an extra-ordinary loss for owning a 'prestige car'.

Has everything apart from the aircon and sunroof been fixed?

It's an 8 year old car, stuff will go wrong.
Is it really beyond the wit of man to make the sunroof work properly?

[adaM3]

After considering their options and speaking to the ombudsman, they have offered me £24k, so we will take it and return the car. Result, so to speak.

[samoht]

adaM3 said:

After considering their options and speaking to the ombudsman, they have offered me £24k, so we will take it and return the car. Result, so to speak.

Well done, good stuff.

I think you've been fair and reasonable about the situation and it's good to hear that they've reciprocated.

New car shopping time?

[nobrakes]

24? You did well!

[SFTWend]

Well done, that's a great result.

[coldel]

Great example of a dealer playing ball, by the book, and working with the customer.

And good work OP on working it through!

[adaM3]

samoht said:

adaM3 said:

After considering their options and speaking to the ombudsman, they have offered me £24k, so we will take it and return the car. Result, so to speak.

Well done, good stuff.

I think you've been fair and reasonable about the situation and it's good to hear that they've reciprocated.

New car shopping time?

Yes, another Macan I think. We did love it, so to speak. Hopefully the next one won't be a Friday afternoon car...

In all of this my wife was disgusted at how much cars lose. Good job we didn't buy new!!! I'm thinking an older Aplina XD3 may hold its value more ;o)