Tweet
Hi all, would like some help please
01/08/2021 - Purchased used Mercedes for 9k from a Manchester-based dealer, paid using bank transfer. I did a test drive and looked OK so bought it. Car was advertised with a FSH and 7 stamps but were not present, dealer promised it existed and would mail it once they obtained it. Dealer wrote "Service history to follow" in contract.
03/08/2021 - Identified fault with parking brake, took to a garage that quoted £420. Dealer said to bring it back, I declined as I'm London based. I offered to take it to another local garage for a second opinion, or claim under the 3 month warranty that the car came with. In that week, the service history was sent to me by the dealer.
19/08/2021 - Parking brake fixed by way of replacing the assembly, claimed via warranty but left £100 out of pocket. V5C has now been received and I had requested Mercedes to provide a digital service history.
24/08/2021 - Mercedes provides service history, which is different to what the dealer provider. Both has 7 stamps, however the one from Mercedes indicates last service was July 2020. The ad stated "Last serviced April 2021". As service was overdue, I booked in for a service
28/08/2021 - Service completed by Mercedes, cost £433. Mercedes produced a report and identified an engine rattle.
09/09/2021 - Local garage identified engine rattle to be a stretched timing chain, approx £1800. Dealer wouldn't entertain it, suggesting it wasn't a fault as the car still drives. Warranty companied had a similar tune suggesting the chain had to break to be covered. I'm arguing that a stretched timing chain would lead to a blown engine and had I known about it, I would not have bought the car. Dealer also suggested this was normal for this car's age and mileage. Dealer eventually offered for me to bring it back so they could look at it and determine if any repairs are necessary. Due to my location, I declined as I didn't want to go all the way to Manchester for him to say there's nothing wrong, or on the flip side - do a shoddy repair that could take days. Timing chain is at the back of the engine and requires a full strip down. I said that bringing to them would cause significant inconvenience, which they declined and it was not negotiable that the vehicle had to return for any diagnostics. I offered to take it to a garage of their choosing, within 50 miles of my home, which they also refused.
I'm wanting to get the repair done locally and pursue them for the costs of the timing belt replacement + service + parking brake. Do I have the right to do this, or must it go back? I have also said that I want to reject the vehicle, but they have refused as it's outside 30 days and that I don't have a fault as the car still drives and therefore still "fit for purpose".
Thanks in advance.
01/08/2021 - Purchased used Mercedes for 9k from a Manchester-based dealer, paid using bank transfer. I did a test drive and looked OK so bought it. Car was advertised with a FSH and 7 stamps but were not present, dealer promised it existed and would mail it once they obtained it. Dealer wrote "Service history to follow" in contract.
03/08/2021 - Identified fault with parking brake, took to a garage that quoted £420. Dealer said to bring it back, I declined as I'm London based. I offered to take it to another local garage for a second opinion, or claim under the 3 month warranty that the car came with. In that week, the service history was sent to me by the dealer.
19/08/2021 - Parking brake fixed by way of replacing the assembly, claimed via warranty but left £100 out of pocket. V5C has now been received and I had requested Mercedes to provide a digital service history.
24/08/2021 - Mercedes provides service history, which is different to what the dealer provider. Both has 7 stamps, however the one from Mercedes indicates last service was July 2020. The ad stated "Last serviced April 2021". As service was overdue, I booked in for a service
28/08/2021 - Service completed by Mercedes, cost £433. Mercedes produced a report and identified an engine rattle.
09/09/2021 - Local garage identified engine rattle to be a stretched timing chain, approx £1800. Dealer wouldn't entertain it, suggesting it wasn't a fault as the car still drives. Warranty companied had a similar tune suggesting the chain had to break to be covered. I'm arguing that a stretched timing chain would lead to a blown engine and had I known about it, I would not have bought the car. Dealer also suggested this was normal for this car's age and mileage. Dealer eventually offered for me to bring it back so they could look at it and determine if any repairs are necessary. Due to my location, I declined as I didn't want to go all the way to Manchester for him to say there's nothing wrong, or on the flip side - do a shoddy repair that could take days. Timing chain is at the back of the engine and requires a full strip down. I said that bringing to them would cause significant inconvenience, which they declined and it was not negotiable that the vehicle had to return for any diagnostics. I offered to take it to a garage of their choosing, within 50 miles of my home, which they also refused.
I'm wanting to get the repair done locally and pursue them for the costs of the timing belt replacement + service + parking brake. Do I have the right to do this, or must it go back? I have also said that I want to reject the vehicle, but they have refused as it's outside 30 days and that I don't have a fault as the car still drives and therefore still "fit for purpose".
Thanks in advance.
I would suggest you consider using your rights under the Misrepresentation Act 1967.
Comment