new car - recurring problem not being rectified by dealer

evillive

Hi all

i dont have the exact details to hand so wont name names/brands etc (it is all documented) but my mother bought a new car at start of 2010. (she's a good driver, no slouch at all and has been driving daily for 40 odd years)

6 weeks in she said it felt unresponsive one day and the oil light came on - brought it to the dealer and they say they changed oil and that car was fine -
she drove car home but said it still seemed off contacted dealer thay said it was fine -
oil light came on again, she brought it back to dealer, they said they would fix problem but wouldn't say what problem was - sounds like car is burning/losing oil for no reason - car is a diesel. 1.8litre saloon type

issue returned and she rang the manufacturers head office and left a message for cust care manager, and another, and another until 6 weeks later after leaving another message in which she mentioned legal action and hey presto 15 mins later a return call - manufacturer rep seemed ok and arranged for vehicle to be brought back to dealer again for repairs - still no elaboration on the exact nature of the issue - she has tried to get clarification a number of times from HO but no return call

2 weeks ago, contact again from dealer looking to bring car in to change some parts, no explanation why, now my brother will drop the motor down as mam has had enough of the bs from the dealer (i would so love to name them)

basically, in the event of a non-satisfactory outcome of this next 'treatment' of the car what should we do? -
personally i'd go local newspaper and internet name and shame followed up by solicitor action -

the most common sense response though imo would be for a new engine to be fitted or even a replacement motor although i dont think anyone in our family will be driving any of these cars again - based on their staff treatment in this case - we have had a number of used/new models in the family over the years to know this is not a general fault

would the warranty in the case of a recurring, apparently non-repairable issue demand a refund of price paid?? not looking for compo just a reliable motor

it is quite disgusting as my mother has upgraded car each of the last 4 years with this dealer - the new contact smells of an attempt to try and get a new sale in the new year for the slimeballs

any advice please?? or suggestions as to how to make the dealer ensure that the defect is at least satisfactorily fixed - can we bring this to another dealer??

thanks
mark

MagicMarker

Bollocks to a new engine, I'd want a new car or my money back.

Captain Slow IRL

Replacing the engine could be a waste of time, if the car's losing oil through a turbo or intercooler etc. Normally, when an engine's replaced, that's all that's replaced - a lot of items are swapped over from the old engine, including the possible defective component. No offence intended but don't go suggesting they replace items if you don't know a whole lot about it - they may do it to get rid of you without solving the problem and leave you back at square one.

See what the outcome of the upcoming repair work is and keep in contact with the dealership if the problem reoccurs. If there is any reluctance with them, get onto a solicitor to find out exactly where you stand.

-Corkie-

Tell them you want a new car.

ninty9er

Goods are unfit for purpose after numerous attempts to rectify. Talk to a solicitor. See what they say about getting a replacement.

R.O.R

Write a letter rejecting the car, and don't take no for an answer.

If the manufactuer, via their main dealer can't fix it in 3 attempts, it's a Lemon and it's always going to have problems. Get them to put your mother in to a temporary car while they order a new version of what she had.

I can't think of any 1.8 Diesel Saloon cars off the top of my head, unless it's a Mondeo. Any chance of letting us know what car it is?

Absurdum

R.O.R wrote: »

I can't think of any 1.8 Diesel Saloon cars off the top of my head, unless it's a Mondeo. Any chance of letting us know what car it is?

only ones I can think of are Mondeos or Mitsubishi Lancers....

evillive

thanks for the replies - mebbe i'm wrong about the engine size anyways- the motor is due to go back in the morning - i'll let ye know how things go - i'm thinking the legal route at this stage is best alright -

Biglad

Make your position very clear to both the dealer and the brand's head office/importer, no uncertain terms, mention that you will name and shame, go legal, radio, TV, the lot. It is very unfortunate but that apparently is the only way to get things moving...