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Newly Purchased Car, Many Issues...

  • 17-05-2011 12:44pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,079 ✭✭✭


    Howdy all, just looking for a word of advice.

    Bought a second hand '06 Ford Focus Estate 3 weeks ago from a Dublin-dealer (I'm Munster-based). Car hasn't been NCT-ed and he said he'd fix any problems that arose for the NCT. He gave me a 6-month warranty also.

    In the 3 weeks since I've bought the car, I've come across the following

    1) Front headlights don't work
    2) Horn doesn't work
    3) Cigarette lighter/output stopped working after a week
    4) CD player doesn't work

    1/3/4 were like that when I got the car.

    I'm calling up next Monday and hope for him to fix all of the above, are these covered under the warranty?

    Do ye reckon they point to an underlying electrics problem or is it a result of the car being off the road for about 6 months?

    I'm hoping it's just a fuse problem.


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,025 ✭✭✭✭-Corkie-


    Sounds like a fuse or maybe two. Common enough problem TBH.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,615 ✭✭✭kildare.17hmr


    agree sounds like a few fuses, 6 month warranty and guarante for the nct is pretty standard with a car of that age and dealer seems to be playing ball with the small problems already so i wouldnt worry too much. is the focus petrol or diesel?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 838 ✭✭✭Wats_in_a_name


    I'd check out the fuses yourself before trekking to a garage. Could be a easy fix.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,079 ✭✭✭leakyboots


    I know what you're saying but I've got to head back up anyway to him for a couple of bits and bobs so might as well leave him sort the issues.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,238 ✭✭✭Ardennes1944


    go through the car carefully with someone else and check if there are any other faults that would not be obvious, best to get it done in one go


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 838 ✭✭✭Wats_in_a_name


    leakyboots wrote: »
    I know what you're saying but I've got to head back up anyway to him for a couple of bits and bobs so might as well leave him sort the issues.


    Thats fair enough then. I'd say it should be easy fixes and if he's playing ball you should be fine.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,456 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    Obvious question, OP, but what made you buy a car with non-functional headlights, horn or CD player? Surely that should've made you question the dealer's attitude?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    Also why is the NCT not done on it as it was due last year...

    When you get it done it will be due again as early as jan 2012 depending on when it was first registered etc.

    Oh and agree with others, check the fuses first for the lights and cigarette output as it sounds the likely culprit. Should be spare fuses there too and it'll be quicker and cheaper to pop into a local auto factors for them anyhow :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,079 ✭✭✭leakyboots


    Confab wrote: »
    Obvious question, OP, but what made you buy a car with non-functional headlights, horn or CD player? Surely that should've made you question the dealer's attitude?

    I went up with a mechanic and he checked over everything, once he was happy I was happy.

    To be fair, you assume a horn and cd player will work.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,102 ✭✭✭✭Drummerboy08


    leakyboots wrote: »
    To be fair, you assume a horn and cd player will work.

    Never assume anything works when buying a used car, rule number 1!


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,243 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    leakyboots wrote: »
    I went up with a mechanic and he checked over everything, once he was happy I was happy.

    To be fair, you assume a horn and cd player will work.

    I'd have words with your mechanic. A blown head light is relatively easy to spot!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Sofiztikated


    The horn is probably a VERY easy fix.

    If the Focus is anything like mine, over the winter, the connection between the wire and the horn contact corroded.

    Get in under the front bumper, see where the horn is, disconnect and give it a rub with some sand paper, and a blast of WD-40, and connect it back up again.

    About 5 minutes work.
    20 seconds to get on the ground
    2 minutes finding the horn
    1 minute sanding and WD-40
    2 minutes getting back up again, because you've been lying on a stone, and you're crippled!


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    yup about right Sofiz. Tbh it doesn't sound like an awful lot wrong with the car. More than likely a couple of fuses and maybe the wire connection for the horn. A bit of luck and that's all you have problems with.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 319 ✭✭mickob16


    Surely a "dealer" would check that something as basic as the main lights were working.

    Thats what p!"£es me off about these cowboys.My sister bought a car in Dublin last Jan and when we were looking at it he was asked if everything was working.

    'Oh definitely' was his reply 'i checked it myself.'.....turns out there was 3 bulbs missing and the passenger window didnt go down.

    The look on his face when she said she was going to look elsewhere was priceless!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,224 ✭✭✭barone


    is the car a english import? maybe was never nct'd in the first place


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,995 ✭✭✭Sofiztikated


    Yawns wrote: »
    yup about right Sofiz. Tbh it doesn't sound like an awful lot wrong with the car. More than likely a couple of fuses and maybe the wire connection for the horn. A bit of luck and that's all you have problems with.

    And the Focus does have a thing about cig lighters. Are you trying the lighter itself, or like a phone charger.

    A dirty cig lighter will blow the fuse consistantly. New one may be needed. Or they have a thing about melting wires. This is harder to fix, needs a while new setup.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    Confab wrote: »
    Obvious question, OP, but what made you buy a car with non-functional headlights, horn or CD player? Surely that should've made you question the dealer's attitude?

    Yep, never fork over the money until after the issues have been sorted out.
    At the time of viewing my car had no NCT and a whiny wheel bearing.
    Both issues where sorted before I bought it so could drive off with peace of mind.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,971 ✭✭✭teednab-el


    leakyboots wrote: »
    I went up with a mechanic and he checked over everything, once he was happy I was happy.

    To be fair, you assume a horn and cd player will work.




    Assumptions are the mother of all f**k ups. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,079 ✭✭✭leakyboots


    teednab-el wrote: »


    Assumptions are the mother of all f**k ups. :D

    Lesson learned, I know :p

    I'm calling back up to him on Monday so he'll sort out any outstanding issues, so hopefully that'll be that.


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