garage lied about engine size

bigred1986

just a quick question my mate bought a opel astra, the garage told him it was 1.4. however he got the log book back today after 7 weeks and its only a 1.2,he is going mad is there anything he can do

Guy:Incognito

An astra with a 1.2 engine? Doubt it.

Alanstrainor

bigred1986 wrote: »

just a quick question my mate bought a opel astra, the garage told him it was 1.4. however he got the log book back today after 7 weeks and its only a 1.2,he is going mad is there anything he can do

Opel astras don't come in 1.2's afaik?? anyone more knowledgeable care to clarify?

drunkmonkey

he could take out the back seats, he'd have about the same power then..

colm_mcm

Astras did come in 1.2

think it was only 3dr GL models.

To be honest, if he was happy with the way the car drove until now when he found out the car was 1.2, then there isn't a huge problem is there?

crosstownk

colm_mcm wrote: »

To be honest, if he was happy with the way the car drove until now when he found out the car was 1.2, then there isn't a huge problem is there?

Agreed - plus it'll be cheaper to tax.

bigred1986

cheaper tax and insurance is exactly wat i said to him, he is just pissed of been lied to

crosstownk

bigred1986 wrote: »

he is just pissed of been lied to

Maybe it was a genuine mistake. What did the dealer say when he brought it to their attention?

bigred1986

he is going back tomorrow garage was shut by time he got back from work

colm_mcm

My guess is the garage presumed it was 1.4 - Most people would. there's no 1.2 badge on the back of them.

The 1.2 doesn't have the same problems with head gaskets that the 1.4 has so I wouldn't be too upset.

Alanstrainor

If you want, i can throw this over to consumer issues as it probably will fit better over there, as the car was not "as described". It's up to yourself OP.

colm_mcm

I'd say how successful your friend will be will depend on how much information was written on the SIMI order form that your friend signed. If there is no mention of engine size (there is a part of the form that asks engine size) then his/her case will be pretty weak.

bigred1986

ill be seeing him tomorrow and ill ask him does he wanna do anything about it, i just put it on this to c if anyone else had any similar experiences, thanks for replys

foxinsox

Did it say on any sign/paperwork in the garage that it was a 1.4?

Did the salesperson tell him it was a 1.4?

Consumer Law applies to secondhand cars the same way as if you buy a brand new fridge/stereo anything..

It must do what it says on the tin, and must operate/perform in the manner it was designed to do.

So in my girlie opinion a 1.2 is not a 1.4 Size does matter!

I would advise your friend to check his rights on consumer affairs website first. Then call the garage "calmly" and just explain the situation. See what they propose to do for him and then take it from there.

fox

newmills

Jesus lads would you not be píssed off if you'd been done like that. Imagine the difference in price between a smaller engined motor and a larger one. Also if he'd insured it as a 1.4 and had an accident and it turned out the insurance company found out it was a 1.2!! They'll do anything to wriggle out of a paying out. He should go back and demand an explanation.

wingnut

Doubt the garage lied intentionally. Its hard to miss, the displacement would be on the tax disc on the car and the VLC.

colm_mcm

newmills wrote: »

Also if he'd insured it as a 1.4 and had an accident and it turned out the insurance company found out it was a 1.2!!

A 1.2 Astra will never go fast enough to be in an accident

newmills

colm_mcm wrote: »

A 1.2 Astra will never go fast enough to be in an accident

Downhill with a breeze behind it?????;)

testicle

wingnut wrote: »

Doubt the garage lied intentionally. Its hard to miss, the displacement would be on the tax disc on the car and the VLC.

indeed. Did he not look at this?

crosstownk

newmills wrote: »

Downhill with a breeze behind it?????;)

It would want to be some hill and some breeze

colm_mcm

If the VLC took 7 weeks to arrive, I assume it wasn't present when the OP's friend was collecting the car.

crosstownk

testicle wrote: »

indeed. Did he not look at this?

I assume you mean the customer. So I have to ask - did the dealer not see this too?

Zonda999

colm_mcm wrote: »

A 1.2 Astra will never go fast enough to be in an accident

I believe they were 80bhp afterall though, despite only being a 1.2(The 1.4 was 90). Thats the same as you currently get in a basic petrol focus or golf, i guess they cant be that bad!:)

colm_mcm

Zonda999 wrote: »

I believe they were 80bhp afterall though, despite only being a 1.2(The 1.4 was 90). Thats the same as you currently get in a basic petrol focus or golf, i guess they cant be that bad!:)

I've driven one, and they're pretty sluggish.

They were actually 73bhp with 110nm of torque. which equates to 0-60 in 15 seconds.

Blue850

First thing he should do is get it insured correctly as a 1.2

Tipsy Mac

Did he not check the cc on the tax disc?

Zonda999

colm_mcm wrote: »

I've driven one, and they're pretty sluggish.

They were actually 73bhp with 110nm of torque. which equates to 0-60 in 15 seconds.

O right, i assumed they would have had the same 80bhp 1.2 you got in the Fiat Stilo around the same time.

0-60 in 15 second does sound pretty bad in a C segment car alright:)