Bought a used car from a small dealership/garage
Discussion
Hi all,
My first time posting here as I’m in need of some advice regarding a car I purchased a week ago. It’s a 1.2 Audi A1, 11 plate. It’s a temporary purchase as I needed a run around for a little while. However, I have stumbled upon a few problems.
When the car was delivered - I was told it had a service and an MOT. Advisories were: minor oil leak, loose rear heatshield, and a corroded exhaust. I was told they fixed the oil leak. However, the auto Electrican and mechanic warned me that the car had not been fully serviced for years. He also said the car should have failed its MOT based on the exhaust. I have added pictures below to get your opinions. The garage are now saying they will contribute some sort of payment towards the full service as they only do a “sales service” I was not told this when I asked. I was also told the oil leak was fixed - which it hasn’t been. Do you have any advice or what other steps I can take?
My first time posting here as I’m in need of some advice regarding a car I purchased a week ago. It’s a 1.2 Audi A1, 11 plate. It’s a temporary purchase as I needed a run around for a little while. However, I have stumbled upon a few problems.
When the car was delivered - I was told it had a service and an MOT. Advisories were: minor oil leak, loose rear heatshield, and a corroded exhaust. I was told they fixed the oil leak. However, the auto Electrican and mechanic warned me that the car had not been fully serviced for years. He also said the car should have failed its MOT based on the exhaust. I have added pictures below to get your opinions. The garage are now saying they will contribute some sort of payment towards the full service as they only do a “sales service” I was not told this when I asked. I was also told the oil leak was fixed - which it hasn’t been. Do you have any advice or what other steps I can take?
Edited by Del222 on Wednesday 14th April 18:22
If you took delivery of your car before viewing, they almost always come with a 7-14 day return policy? If I was you, I'd 100% be returning it and looking elsewhere. If they've been hiding these issues that you can obviously see, imagine what else under the bonnet they might not be telling you. From the sounds of it, oil leak and loose heatshield combined sounds like it may have been smashed over speed bumps or potholes, so wouldn't inspire me that the previous owners have looked after it very well.
You'll end up spending more overall in the long run with this than buying another car in better nick. Return and replace, I'd say.
You'll end up spending more overall in the long run with this than buying another car in better nick. Return and replace, I'd say.
You can reject the car no problem.
Your reasons can be
- false representation of repair work done
- fasle information on service
The problem buying used cars in lockdown sight unseen. Dealers are using it as an opportunity to get rid of s
t cars
Look into rejection of used cars on Google. All the info you need is there.
Your reasons can be
- false representation of repair work done
- fasle information on service
The problem buying used cars in lockdown sight unseen. Dealers are using it as an opportunity to get rid of s
t cars Look into rejection of used cars on Google. All the info you need is there.
That exhaust backbox has had it, needs replacing.
Is there any other major corrosion like that or is the rest of the underneath just basic surface rust in line with a 10 year old car?
Was it advertised as full service history?
If it hasn't got full service history but you plan to keep it, get a full/major service done as you have no idea when things were last changed.
We don't know how much you paid vs what these cars go for or what it was advertised with in terms of the service history etc but as you have had someone else work on the car, I am not sure if they are legally obliged to take it back under the distance selling regulations.
Realistically you have three options.
1. Return the car either under distance selling regulations or under the consumer rights act but as you have had work done already, I am not sure where you stand on these.
2. Replace the backbox (won't be too expensive) and use the money they are going to contribute to getting a full service done and just keep it.
3. Number 2 but sell it on instead.
I wouldn't put much emphasis on an MOT these days, especially if the tester was one the garage employs and they do them in-house as its hardly in their interests to fail them.
Is there any other major corrosion like that or is the rest of the underneath just basic surface rust in line with a 10 year old car?
Was it advertised as full service history?
If it hasn't got full service history but you plan to keep it, get a full/major service done as you have no idea when things were last changed.
We don't know how much you paid vs what these cars go for or what it was advertised with in terms of the service history etc but as you have had someone else work on the car, I am not sure if they are legally obliged to take it back under the distance selling regulations.
Realistically you have three options.
1. Return the car either under distance selling regulations or under the consumer rights act but as you have had work done already, I am not sure where you stand on these.
2. Replace the backbox (won't be too expensive) and use the money they are going to contribute to getting a full service done and just keep it.
3. Number 2 but sell it on instead.
I wouldn't put much emphasis on an MOT these days, especially if the tester was one the garage employs and they do them in-house as its hardly in their interests to fail them.
On the assumption that the ad did state full service history and that the car was genuinely sold as being in a far better state then it is then my approach would be...
It's a 10 year old, cheap car which the dealer appears to have misrepresented. Rather than going through attempting to get things resolved I would be taking advantage of your right to reject the car due to it being misrepresented in the original advertisement and taking your money elsewhere.Spend your money on something where you know more of the history and you're happy with, especially now that you can view cars again.
It's a 10 year old, cheap car which the dealer appears to have misrepresented. Rather than going through attempting to get things resolved I would be taking advantage of your right to reject the car due to it being misrepresented in the original advertisement and taking your money elsewhere.Spend your money on something where you know more of the history and you're happy with, especially now that you can view cars again.
Your repairs have added value and kept you safe. It was that or be caught by the Police. Even worse cause an accident with no functional tail lights. If they are unhappy with this you can offer to have it unfixed. It does not count as a modification either.
I would reject the car as previously stated. Misrepresenting a car. False advertising. If they refuse to take it back. Park it there outside their forecourt with window posters stating something and get on to the Motoring Ombudsman.
I would reject the car as previously stated. Misrepresenting a car. False advertising. If they refuse to take it back. Park it there outside their forecourt with window posters stating something and get on to the Motoring Ombudsman.
stevemcs said:
The exhaust would be pass and advise, its the outer skin rusting, the rear lights are common on VAG cars, mainly Audis and can failat anytime. The oil leak, maybe it has been fixed but they haven't cleaned the old oil up, start with that and monitor it.
Have to say I'm inclined to agree with this common sense.no signs of blowing from the exhaust.
electrical fault may not have been present at point of sale, garage will say MOT proves this was working ok.
Oil, well could be residual oil, clean the area up and monitor it or let them take a look.
None of the issues raised are much of a concern, its a 10 year old car at the end of the day and you probably wouldn't expect it to have been serviced by the book at this age.
not fully serviced could mean many things, what are they saying hasn't been done that should have been?
Heatshield has clearly had a repair, dont forget that it is the silver thing on the right hand side of the first image, you can see a fresh washer holding it on. The exhaust is fine. As for the other stuff, its a 10 year old used car, you can fix an oil leak and the it moves to leak elsewhere and you can chase them all over the engine. Monitor the oil leak and dont sweat the rest. That said does look like the rear pads could do with a change but could just be the angle of the photo
A quick trip to kwik fit or your local garage would get you a whole new cat back exhaust for no more than £150 even with labour. Probably less if you get the car serviced (not kwik fit for this) whilst you are there. Its a 10 year old car. Your going to have to be a big boy and do some ongoing maintenance.
It's 10 years old, it has a fresh MOT with advisories, advisories are exactly that "advisories", a car can still pass with them.
My daughters 2003 Micra has flagged up an oil leak as an advisory for the past 2 MOT's, I bought off work (trade in) a 2012 Corsa for the wife, late last year, it had a fresh MOT (done just before trading in and not by us), it had 2 advisories, 1 of which I got done (a top mount) the other an oil leak, I got a mechanic from work (who I trust implicitly) to look over the car, he said not to worry too much about the oil leak!
Your exhaust OP isn't (I assume) blowing, there is likely no actual structural rusting, it will be classed as an advisory so therefore has passed and rightly so.
Ultimately as far as the MOT goes, all is as it should be.
My daughters 2003 Micra has flagged up an oil leak as an advisory for the past 2 MOT's, I bought off work (trade in) a 2012 Corsa for the wife, late last year, it had a fresh MOT (done just before trading in and not by us), it had 2 advisories, 1 of which I got done (a top mount) the other an oil leak, I got a mechanic from work (who I trust implicitly) to look over the car, he said not to worry too much about the oil leak!
Your exhaust OP isn't (I assume) blowing, there is likely no actual structural rusting, it will be classed as an advisory so therefore has passed and rightly so.
Ultimately as far as the MOT goes, all is as it should be.
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