Purchase Car

[Kaz559]

Good afternoon,

My nephew purchase a car from Stofer Garage on the 17th of January a week after having the car the engine light came on . When we phoned the garage they told us that the car was bought with no warranty and he can not help us. We then took the car to a local garage and they did a test which showed a fault code P0011, the mechanic explained that it looks like the cambelt has been put on incorrectly and caused damage. We then contacted Stofer Garage via email to tell them that we have Consumer Rights and that they must come and collect the car as we do not feel it safe to drive from Northampton to Coventry. They have refused to come and collect the car and have said that we must bring the car to Coventry so they can inspect it. We have sent numerous emails stating that we do not want to drive the car this far.

They have now replied with "Please note that fault code P0011 (camshaft timing over-advanced) is not, by itself, a definitive confirmation of a mechanical failure. This fault can be triggered by a number of non-mechanical factors, including oil condition, oil pressure variations, historic adaptation values, or temporary operating conditions. For this reason, the presence of this fault code alone does not automatically indicate a current or active mechanical defect. As part of standard and correct diagnostic procedure, this fault code should first be cleared, and engine adaptations reset, followed by a controlled test drive. This allows us to determine whether the fault is genuinely active and repeatable. We therefore request that the fault code is cleared and engine adaptations reset, after which the vehicle should be driven to our workshop for inspection.
If the fault reoccurs during the journey, this will significantly assist us in diagnosing the issue accurately and efficiently upon arrival. This approach represents a reasonable, safe, and industry-standard diagnostic method and allows us to assess the vehicle based on current, live data rather than historical fault memory. Please confirm once the reset has been carried out and advise when the vehicle will be brought to us so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

We have asked at who's cost will this before and they have ignored this and just said that we are unwilling to let them look at the car.

Could I please ask for some advise.

Thank you,

[Frank1]

Under CRA 2015 Section 20 (7)(b) if there is no agreement for the consumer to return rejected goods, the consumer must make the goods available for the trader to collect at no cost to the consumer.
20 (8) Whether or not the consumer has a duty to return rejected goods, the trader must bear any reasonable costs of returning them
Does the car manual state the car should not be driven if the engine management warning light comes on?

[Frank1]

I meant to add that as the delivery date is less than 30 days away, your nephew has the right to reject under 22 (3)(b)

[des8]

What outcome is your nephew seeking?
Does he want to reject the vehicle or just have it repaired?

Stofer's explanation of the fault code implications is correct.
How did your local mechanic come to his conclusion that the cambelt had been put on incorrectly and caused damage?

Assuming your nephew wants to retain the vehicle I would be telling Stofer that if Stofer wants the the fault code is cleared and engine adaptations reset, Stofer need to instruct a dealership near your nephew and agree to pay for the work, whereupon the vehicle can be returned to them for a full diagnostic check.
Tell them that if they decline your nephew will have no option than to reject the vehicle, which they will then have to collect.

How was the vehicle purchased? cash/ bank transfer/ credit card /debit card/ finance?
What was price paid?
What make & model, year & mileage?

[Kaz559]

Good evening,

Thank you for you reply. We have request them to pay for this. The last reply was:
Thank you for your email.

Our position has been clearly set out and remains unchanged.
We are willing to inspect and diagnose the vehicle at our premises, at no cost to you.
We will not authorise or cover any third-party diagnostic or transport costs.
To proceed, the vehicle must be delivered to our workshop. Until the vehicle is made available to us, we are unable to take any further action.
We now await delivery arrangements.

The local mechanic did a diagnostic test and the fault showed P0011 on checking saw that the Campbeltown has been put on incorrectly.

The vehicle was £2750
This was put on a credit card
Peugeot 308, 1.2 THP
It is a 2014 model
Mileage 91344

[des8]

So What outcome is your nephew seeking?
Does he want to reject the vehicle or just have it repaired?

[Ellzy]

Does it have warranty? Did you test it there and then? If not escalate it. Usually cars are sold 'as seen' and by the description they put up. If the description says it's spotless/good runner' then use that in your complaint.

[Kaz559]

He would have liked to keep the vehicle but we have no trust in Stofer Gauge anymore. So the best option for us would be to reject the vehicle because they have clearly stated that they are not going to pay for the local garage and they are not going to collect the car.
Could I seek advice on how to reject the car and if we have full legal rights to do so.

[Kaz559]

Yes they said in the ad that it has had the cambelt changed and full service. No there was no warranty on the car.

[Kaz559]

The ad said:
New Timing Belt, new oil service (oil, oil filter, air filter and alternator belt)

[Ellzy]

The ad said:
New Timing Belt, new oil service (oil, oil filter, air filter and alternator belt)

Exactly, but you still went ahead and bought it. What was it a cat d?

[Ellzy]

Yes they said in the ad that it has had the cambelt changed and full service. No there was no warranty on the car.

So the ad said exactly what they fixed? You didn't get warranty or they didn't provide it. I'm sorry, they aren't at a loss, you are.

[des8]

He would have liked to keep the vehicle but we have no trust in Stofer Gauge anymore. So the best option for us would be to reject the vehicle because they have clearly stated that they are not going to pay for the local garage and they are not going to collect the car.
Could I seek advice on how to reject the car and if we have full legal rights to do so.

So he needs to write/email the dealership along the following lines:

Dear Sirs

RE Peugot 308 vrm XXXXXXXXXX

I purchased the captioned vehicle from you on dd.mm.2026 for the sum of £2750.

As already reported to you the Engine Management Light came on shortly after purchase.
A local mechanic reported that diagnosis showed a fault code P0011, which indicates a possible number of problems.
I offered you the chance to repair the problem, even though this is not required by The Consumer Rights Act 2015 CRA2015)
By refusing to collect the vehicle you declined this offer, which is now withdrawn.

Accordingly, I regret to advise you the vehicle is of unsatisfactory quality and I am exercising my short term right bestowed under CRA2015 to reject this vehicle.

As per CRA 2015 the vehicle is available for your collection by prior arrangement at (put address here)
I require a full refund to be made to me via the credit card which was used to purchase the vehicle as mandated by CRA2015

Yours faithfully


Don't expect the dealer to roll over without disputing the matter
He could well receive letters from quasi legal firm acting for the dealer
However a credit card was used, so if your nephew is getting nowhere he could initiate a chargeback, but there are time limits (generally 45 days from purchase but check with the credit card issuer)

As a matter of interest, when purchasing the car did your nephew (or anyone at all?) check the vehicle?
I'm not referring to the paint work but lifting the bonnet to see if there were any indications that the belt had been changed and the oil was nice and new.
If hr's not mechanically minded, on his next purchase it could be worth investing in a mechanic doing a check

[Kaz559]

Hello Dez8,
Thank you so much for your advice. You have been so helpful, we really appreciate it.

[Kaz559]

We did have a look under the bonnet and it looked fine to us but none of us are experienced and to us the engine looks okay and the vehicle drove well for a week until the engine light came on.