Used car breaks down. Tell me what you think

liz11

When i took the car for a test drive i noticed that the gears were strange i said it to him, he said it's because it's a different model than i am use to. I had my friend look at the car everything seem fine to the naked eye.

i had to bring it back the following week to get the timing belt fitted, i told him that while driving the car the steering wheel was shaking he said they will check it.
After the timing belt was fitted he said i had to pump the wheels and the steering would be ok. So i booked the car in for a pre NCT test in Advance Pit Stop in Naas the result were oil leak from engine and the inner tie rod was going so i contacted Carrera Cars the same day last Tuesday 26th of Jan 2010 i was told to ring them back this monday 1st of Feb 2010 to book it in for a service or so.

On Saturday evening at 5pm while i was driving through Naas just after going through traffic lights the car stalled which nearly caused a accident. The gear box fell out which since then i have been told that it was a second gearbox in the car which the car only has 67k miles strange.

I contacted Carrera Cars to be told push it off the road i said i would call them back which i did 5 times no answer. I contacted the Gardai in Naas to say i was broken down what should i do they called a tow truck for me, which i had to contact my insurance 123.ie and claim for a recovery. At 7.20pm i finally got the car back to my address. So next morning i contacted Carrera Cars again only to be told that it is up to me to get the car towed to dublin which i have no money and the tow trucks only does a area of 12 miles. Now i was told by Carrera Cars that the car was in prefect condition which it was not. I now just want the car moved from my house and my money back. I also taxed the car for 3 months and now i have a claim on my insurance for recovery €150.......

Since then they ave collected the car yesturday one day later i call them, car still not been loooked at noone knows the problem with the car they won't refund me what am i 2 do? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT WON'T DRIVE PUT IT INTO GEAR AND IT SOUNDS BAD. WHILE SHAKING THE GEAR STICK IT SOUNDS LIKE LOTS OF OLD TIN RATTLING.

I now just want them to keep the car give me my money back so i can by a decent car.

liz11

SORRY I MEANT I BOUGHT A USED CAR

Gary ITR

liz11 wrote: »

SORRY I MEANT I BOUGHT A USED CAR

Stop typing in caps, I've already edited the title. Typing in caps is akin to shouting, also could you edit your original post and put in some paragraphs please

Stevie Dakota

My head hurts, paragraphs would help.

Did the garage give you any kind of warranty? Are the with the SIMI? Buying a used car is a gamble unless to take measures at the outset, like an AA or mechanics inspection. But now that they have the car back I would keep the pressure on for a diagnosis and repair. Don't be fobbed off.

Sorry for your trouble.

cantdecide

Sounds like a bone rattler- shaky wheel, jumping out of gear, oil leaks.

Give it back and demand a refund or get it properly checked out (this time) and demand they fix everything. It hasn't become a horror story yet. Unfortunately, you now have to educate yourself.

Buyer beware. Be diligent becasue no one win when there's a dispute.

For starters, what car/ age/ mileage/ engine etc

rash0001

What was the make and model? I only viewed and test drove one of their cars and it looked, sounded, drove like it was a car from the scrap yard. It was a japanese car and they didn't show me the auction sheet or anything, a friend who I had taken along pointed out many mechanical faults. Did a car test on the japanese number of the car and it was a -1(I think) accident grade car, changed engine and gear box etc. You name the problem and the car had it! Worse was the guy there tried to sell it to me like it was a brand new perfect condition car.


EDIT - Was it sold "AS IS"? Check on the sale papers. They do not provide a 3 months warranty if it is sold "AS IS". But you can still do quite alot if you prove that they deliberately sold you a piece of junk which isn't too difficult to prove. Don't forget if they sold it to you at a huge discount more like half or less the marked value or so they can also state that you were aware of the faults and hence it was sold so cheap. If that is the case then I doubt you can do anything.

ronaneire

So much for your friend checking it over?
Maybe if you had from the beginning had gotten a mechanic to check it over he would have advised you not to buy it.
What were the terms of the purchase?

Gurgle

You bought a used car without getting it checked over first.
Then you brought it to a tyre / exhaust shop to be 'checked'.
Then it fell apart.

Hope you didn't part with too much money, because I can't see this ending well.

liz11

Ok 1st i am sorry about the caps and the no paragraphy new to this.

I got a 3mth warranty with the car, only bought it 3 weeks ago 13th of Jan.

It is a 2002 Renaukt Laguna 1.6
Manual Gearbox
67k.

The garage is a member of SIMI which i have contacted. I also contacted Consumer rights which both said ask for car to be repair as soon as r my money back. Which i did no good.

I was in Contact with my Soilictor who is sending a letter for the car to be fixed for 2m.

When i contacted the garge today they said noone has looked at it yet and i won't be getting a refund,

So i don't know what is wrong with it plus it won't be ready until God Knows.

Guy:Incognito

liz11 wrote: »

When i contacted the garge today they said noone has looked at it yet and i won't be getting a refund,
.

Is that two seperate things or related? ie are they flat out refusign to offer a refund or saying they wont just hand a refund out until someone has looked at the car?



YOu'd imagine a garage would fix really obvious stuff like oil leaks and worn suspension components, if for nothing else than just not to have people straight back to them. Doesnt say much for the garage in question. Especially as it had no NCT , they had to know these things wouuld be picked up on.


Did the gearbox literally fall out? Surely a mechanic should have noticed that? I doubt it was an issue that just happened all of a sudden.

liz11

My friend is a mech to the naked eye it was grand engine dry and all.

But when the cover under the engine was removed gearbox was leaking oil plus inner tie rod just gone..

Why i brought it to the advance pit stop because it does FREE PRE NCT test.

So when it fail i contacted Carrera Cars as it is under warrenty

liz11

What the garage say is noone has looked at it yet they are very busy. When they get time the will deal with the car.
And i cannot have a refund i will get the car back when ever the fix it.

Which i have no car now and need one for work asap.

Guy:Incognito

Can't imagine you losing any case for a refund here if it goes further (legal route) . They quite clearly sold a car on that has loads of issues.

The fact that they did'nt attempt to fix anything before selling it on would be enough to not want it back after they had fixed it and not want a different car off them either.

eden_my_ass

liz11 wrote: »

What the garage say is noone has looked at it yet they are very busy. When they get time the will deal with the car.
And i cannot have a refund i will get the car back when ever the fix it.

Which i have no car now and need one for work asap.

They are entitled by law to attempt to repair it....

...however if the repair is not up to a satisfactory standard you are entitled to a refund, hopefully they'll fix it. Then the famous Laguna electrical problems are all you have to worry about.

rash0001

How much did you pay for it? Is that your first car in Ireland? Seems strange you bought a car without an NCT, did you at least tell them to have the car run through the NCT test or have it ready for the NCT test or what?

adamshred

To be fair, you sort of brought this on yourself by not having the car fully checked out by a mechanic prior to the purchase. I would never in a million years part with a large sum of cash without being completely sure that all was right with the product in question.

You must remember that many car dealers are in it for one thing only. A quick buck. An honest car trader is something which does not appear too often. Some shallow research into the subject of buying used cars could have saved you a lot of time and money and hassle.

With that said, you definitely deserve the car to be returned to you in complete repair or a total refund plus any costs that were incurred upon you as a direct result of the malfunction of the car.

Whatever you do, don't let this go without a fight because the only way that the dealers will ever change is if they realise that makes more sense to sell a properly functional car than to sell a dodgy one and deal with the repercussions.

If you do somehow receive a refund, rather than buying from another dealer, try looking on websites like DoneDeal.ie for cars available through private sales as these are generally cheaper due to people selling for reasons other than profits. I recently purchased a car this way and have had no problems with it as of yet and I bought it for a very reasonable price so there is a lot to be said for private sales.

I genuinely hope that everything goes well with your plan of action and definitely keep us updated as to what happens.

liz11

rash0001 wrote: »

How much did you pay for it? Is that your first car in Ireland? Seems strange you bought a car without an NCT, did you at least tell them to have the car run through the NCT test or have it ready for the NCT test or what?

I paid €2800 for the car not my 1st car plus it does have nct until next year on it.

But for my own peace of mind i put it through the pre nct to see was there any problems with it. Like with it having a 3mth warranty i though i get it check so if any problems it would be sorted by the garage. The garage even replaced the timing belt for my a week after i bought it remembering that for a 2002 car it only has 67k on the engine. Plus i also have the history of the car it was serviced every year plus everything that need to be done on it has been done over the years.

rash0001

eden_my_ass wrote: »

They are entitled by law to attempt to repair it....

Small faults are fine but in this case I think the consumer has a right to a refund as it was not sold road worthy in the first place. Major engine and gear box problems are not included in the right to repair during the three months warranty. Suspension, electrical faults, lights etc which are comparatively small things are included in the "right to repair". I was told this when I bought a second hand car 2 years ago. I'll aslo try to get the warranty on the repairs extended to 3 months from the repair date. As its possible that they fix it a day before the warranty ends and then the next day when it breaks down again they say that it is out of warranty!

I know that you want to get this sorted fast but try to correspond with them through letters or emails, get something in writing. And give them a deadline to fix the car etc...

eden_my_ass

rash0001 wrote: »

Small faults are fine but in this case I think the consumer has a right to a refund as it was not sold road worthy in the first place. Major engine and gear box problems are not included in the right to repair during the three months warranty. Suspension, electrical faults, lights etc which are comparatively small things are included in the "right to repair". I was told this when I bought a second hand car 2 years ago. I'll aslo try to get the warranty on the repairs extended to 3 months from the repair date. As its possible that they fix it a day before the warranty ends and then the next day when it breaks down again they say that it is out of warranty!

I know that you want to get this sorted fast but try to correspond with them through letters or emails, get something in writing. And give them a deadline to fix the car etc...

I'd agree this is substantial repair work, but as the OP suggests the gear box problem was not even visible to another mechanic, so it seems everyone missed it. I'm not sure whether theres a standard clause on what is or isn't considered "repairable" or "refundable" under warranty or as a condition of sale but I guess the point I was making to the OP was that regardless of what the garage says, they have no right to state there'll be no refund, they don't make the law at the end of the day

liz11

the car was on DONEDEAL.IE i also contacted them about this who said they were very sorry and i should contacted my solicter asap as i did.

I don't mind if i get the car back fixed but the garage knew all since last Saturday and nothing is still done.

I thought that if i buy from a garage a member of SIMI with a 3 mth warrenty i would be doing ok.

I have bought cars from garages before never had a problem until now. plus my mech friend has always helped me buy.

Guy:Incognito

liz11 wrote: »

I paid €2800 for the car not my 1st car plus it does have nct until next year on it.

But for my own peace of mind i put it through the pre nct to see was there any problems with it. Like with it having a 3mth warranty i though i get it check so if any problems it would be sorted by the garage. The garage even replaced the timing belt for my a week after i bought it remembering that for a 2002 car it only has 67k on the engine. Plus i also have the history of the car it was serviced every year plus everything that need to be done on it has been done over the years.

Did you check the history with the garage(s) in the book?

TBH I'd be taking a different mechanic with you next time when looking at a car, there just seems to be too many issues to have missed all of them.

If everything seemed in order service history wise, has it been checked for crash damage? It's possible it might have been fine mechanically up until it got a knock, then taped back together as cheaply as possible.



Things like tie rod ends I would'nt be overly worried about , they are wear and tear items but for the garage to sell it without doing such a simple job and havign it properly checked is just bad form and enough to make me say with certainty I wont be going near them if I'm looking for a car. But sayign things like "pump up the tyres and it'll be fine " isnt on. Even if it was the case that the tyres needed air, if they knew this why would'nt they just pump the tyres themselves? It costs nothing.

The rest of the issues arent excusable. It sounds like they either never lifted the bonnet between taking it in and selling it on or worse, knew about the gearbox and just hoped you wouldnt notice till after the 3 months.

Did they definately even bother changing the timeing belt?

rash0001

liz11 wrote: »

I paid €2800 for the car not my 1st car plus it does have nct until next year on it.

But for my own peace of mind i put it through the pre nct to see was there any problems with it. Like with it having a 3mth warranty i though i get it check so if any problems it would be sorted by the garage. The garage even replaced the timing belt for my a week after i bought it remembering that for a 2002 car it only has 67k on the engine. Plus i also have the history of the car it was serviced every year plus everything that need to be done on it has been done over the years.

Ok, sorry about sounding harsh regarding the NCT... Sounds like its just plain bad luck with the car. I don't blame you for falling into the dealers trap as the car ticks most boxes with a FSH etc.

Stekelly wrote: »

If everything seemed in order service history wise, has it been checked for crash damage?

Best do a car check on it now, and if it was in an accident then you have more legal options. While the dealer has to tell you if it was in an accident some dealers state that they weren't asked.

liz11

I have it in writing that 3 mth warranty is for engine, gearbox, labour and parts.

Consumer right have emailed me saying that i tell the garage about the car see what they do, if not to my satsifaction i am intitled to let them keep the car and refund my money. If they don't do this contact my solictor then she sends the a letter with the punch line when i get the car back fixed.

If this doesn't happen the i take them to court for my money.

rash0001

liz11 wrote: »

I have it in writing that 3 mth warranty is for engine, gearbox, labour and parts.

Consumer right have emailed me saying that i tell the garage about the car see what they do, if not to my satsifaction i am intitled to let them keep the car and refund my money. If they don't do this contact my solictor then she sends the a letter with the punch line when i get the car back fixed.

If this doesn't happen the i take them to court for my money.

Tell you what, just tell them look the car has too many problems and its in everyones interest that you refund my money. If they don't agree tell them that you are sending them a written letter stating that if the car still has a problem after being repaired you will take them straight to court for not only the price of the car but also other losses you suffered due to it as you already gave them a chance to refund the amount when you were aware that the problem with the car was too much. Don't forget to ask them to extend the 3 months warranty from the repair date.

liz11

So you see if i do get the car back gixed i will still have to bring it to a good reg mechanic to check it over plus as u say did they even changed the timing belt r just tipex the miles on it..

This is gonna cost me money after money. Which never happen before.

I would advise every never Use CARRERA CARS

I even check up on the internet about the garage their are supposed to be a family run garage over 20 years with excellent mechanic.

suzy5978

Hiya,a friend of mine had awful trouble with that company only a few months ago!

Same thing,was sold a ****heap,broke down a few days after she bought it.They promised to fix it,when she got the car back absolutley nothing had been done with it.

The company then said my friend would have to pay the guts of 500 to get it fixed by them!!

She ended up just getting her dad and boyfiend to go up,they threatend legal action,in the end she got her money back.

rash0001

Don't forget to demand bills, invoices or written letters which state what work was carried out.

Do you have any proof of the timing belt change? If you do then don't be too worried as even if it breaks after the warranty is out and you can prove that the invoice etc is fake as they didn't actually change it then you can take them to court there...

liz11

I know how ur friend felt. My dad and my 4 brothers want to go up and ask for my money back but i said wait untill CARRERA CARS recieve my Solictor letter 1st to see what happens.

They never stamped the service book yet for doing the timing belt but they said when i collect the car when ever it is repaired they will stamp everything.

But at this stage i don't thrust them

rash0001

liz11 wrote: »

I know how ur friend felt. My dad and my 4 brothers want to go up and ask for my money back but i said wait untill CARRERA CARS recieve my Solictor letter 1st to see what happens.

Do you mean you are a girl/lady? If so I can understand why they are behaving that way... sometimes talking face to face is better then a solicitors letter. Let your dad or brother take it up from here. If I was in your place I would stick to asking for a refund. Or else tell them fix it but also pay the towing and other charges you had to pay...

Edit- Sorry only saw your user name now! So the first part of this post doesn't apply!

liz11

rash0001 wrote: »

Do you mean you are a girl/lady? If so I can understand why they are behaving that way... sometimes talking face to face is better then a solicitors letter. Let your dad or brother take it up from here. If I was in your place I would stick to asking for a refund. Or else tell them fix it but also pay the towing and other charges you had to pay...

Edit- Sorry only saw your user name now! So the first part of this post doesn't apply!

No worries Rash yeh i am a woman in my early 30's i went face to face with the garage and told the sales lad Jim he had 2 option refund r car or i want the car in working order he said he will fix it asap. However today on the phone he said i am not getting a refund that when his mechanic has time they will look at it to see what was the problem and then they will fix it when i don't know.

cantdecide

OP, life's short. Legal wranglings are stressful and soul destroying and in theory you have a case.

Before I log off for the evening, my recommendations are:

1) let them fix the car. for €3k, it's not reasonable to expect perfection- other people are told to F-O. At least they're undertaking to fix it.

2) Make it very clear to teh garage that you're not happy and that if the car has to go back to them again, you WILL want a refund

3) when you get the car back, spend some time vetting a good mechanic who knows Renaults to look the car over VERY thoroughly and report back all the faults that he will find to the garage concerned.

Good luck

liz11

I did a full check on motorcheck.ie everything is fine with the car the only thing 2 week after it passed the Nct in 2008 the car was not taxed for 6 mths so to me it must have been off the road. As whrn i bought the car there iss a 2nd hand gearbox in it so maybe this was the problem why it was not taxed.

Just got a call from CARRERA CARS mechanic is working on it now the suppose problem is the gearbox mounting is broke so they said that they will replace it and then i can collect the car.

It all sounds 2 good but look we will see.

Thanks all for the replies.

mondeo

Hope it works out well for you and give it to someone afterwards to check it over to make sure the work was done on it especially the timing belt..

Absurdum

liz11 wrote: »

I have it in writing that 3 mth warranty is for engine, gearbox, labour and parts.

don't worry about what warranty they claim you have been given

see: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/motors/2010/0106/1224261723440.html

The case raises an interesting question about the nature of warranties and the level of responsibility a dealer has to the buyer. Under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, a car must be in roadworthy condition when sold and has to be fit for purpose. If it’s not, the buyer has comeback, irrespective of any get-out clauses the dealers may think they have.

islander35

recently saw any article in a local newspaper, similar story, car purchased from dealer lots of problems with it in the first 6/7 weeks, the girl went to the Small Claims Court (I think it costs about 9 euro to put in a claim), judge looked at all evidence and ruled that money paid to the dealer should be refunded as car was unfit for purpose. Might be of some help. As far as I know problems included car cutting out, having to get the brakes done etc. I would definately not take this car back, guaranteed you will only have more problems in the future with it!!