Bought a car. Head gasket went after a week.

PaddyBomb

Girlfriend bought a car from a dealer who was recommended by a friend, has favourable reviews on google and also a member of SIMI. Dealer told us clutch, water pump and timing belt was just done on the car. Friend (who knows a lot more about cars than me) took it for a test drive and thought everything was running smoothly except that the coolant level dropped but said this is probably because the cooling system wasn't bled after the water pump was put in. So it was said to the dealer and he said the exact same thing what my friend said and told us driving it around will bleed it, just to top it up with coolant in a couple of days. Part of the sale is a 6 month warranty with an insurance company which covers all big things going wrong with the engine and can bring the car to any garage, not just them.

A week later, the car begins to overheat and it's noticed that the coolant level has completely dropped to the point where there was probably none in it. Rang the dealer and at first he said she be better off waiting for the warranty to kick in which takes 14 days to come into effect. Then he says actually bring it to a garage near her, get them to look at it and if it's a small job, let them do it and they'll pay but if it's a big job bring it back to them. That garage said it looks like the head gasket, so she's told to get it back to the dealer. The car then blows on the middle of the M50 and has to be towed by the insurance company back to the dealer.

So now she has a loaner car from them while they try to source a new engine for it.

Just wondering how would everyone approach this situation. Let them fix it and take the car? Or is she entitled to a complete refund?

Mini850

So the car was driven from the garage that diagnosed the problem with a known head gasket failure???

I'm sorry, but that problem went from being possibly just a head gasket replacement, to needing a full engine replacement due to it being driven by your GF. It should have been trailered back to the dealer, not driven.

If I was the dealer, id be annoyed

DamoKen

Mini850 wrote: »

So the car was driven from the garage that diagnosed the problem with a known head gasket failure???

I'm sorry, but that problem went from being possibly just a head gasket replacement, to needing a full engine replacement due to it being driven by your GF. It should have been trailered back to the dealer, not driven.

If I was the dealer, id be annoyed

If you told her to get it towed you'd be right to be annoyed.

If you just said bring it back over then totally on you.

BrianBoru00

Mini850 wrote: »

So the car was driven from the garage that diagnosed the problem with a known head gasket failure???

I'm sorry, but that problem went from being possibly just a head gasket replacement, to needing a full engine replacement due to it being driven by your GF. It should have been trailered back to the dealer, not driven.

If I was the dealer, id be annoyed

What would you be annoyed about? That the dodgy car you sold didnt wait 6 months before breaking down?
The warranty doesnt kick in is bull****. If the car is not of an expected quality she is entitled to a full repair, refund or similar car courtesey of the dealer

PaddyBomb

Mini850 wrote: »

So the car was driven from the garage that diagnosed the problem with a known head gasket failure???

I'm sorry, but that problem went from being possibly just a head gasket replacement, to needing a full engine replacement due to it being driven by your GF. It should have been trailered back to the dealer, not driven.

If I was the dealer, id be annoyed

OK, sorry I should have expanded on this. So she works in Waterford and the dealer is in Dublin. Firstly my girlfriend rang the dealer and said the Waterford garage said it's the head gasket. He said that he was talking to the garage said it's "possibly" the head gasket but will need to come to him for him to check. Firstly he said he'd get a tow down to get it and she said fine and will there be a loan car for her because she needs to get back to Dublin at the weekend. When he heard she was coming back up, he said drive it up, it'll be fine once the coolant is topped up. So it was the dealer that told her to drive it up, so any extra damage was due to the dealer telling her to drive it back up.

Turbohymac

Well with the water pump replaced. A car would usually only need max 1 litre of water to top up.. not constant top ups. I think first off the garage should have ensured that the cooling system was fully bled out and car was fit for purpose.. garage sold a lemon and probably had tried a quick fix before selling it..
I'd request full refund and get a proper mechanic to vet your next purchase.
A lot also depends on what type of car.age.mileage and your total spend to buy.. but in my opinion as a mechanic any garage selling a car and telling the buyer to keep coolant topped up says it all.

Cee-Jay-Cee

PaddyBomb wrote: »

So now she has a loaner car from them while they try to source a new engine for it.

Just wondering how would everyone approach this situation. Let them fix it and take the car? Or is she entitled to a complete refund?

What car/engine is it and what age is it? It really depends on those things. You are not actually entitled to a refund until they at least attempt to remedy the problem. If they cant find an engine then naturally your entitled to a refund.

Mini850

PaddyBomb wrote: »

OK, sorry I should have expanded on this. So she works in Waterford and the dealer is in Dublin. Firstly my girlfriend rang the dealer and said the Waterford garage said it's the head gasket. He said that he was talking to the garage said it's "possibly" the head gasket but will need to come to him for him to check. Firstly he said he'd get a tow down to get it and she said fine and will there be a loan car for her because she needs to get back to Dublin at the weekend. When he heard she was coming back up, he said drive it up, it'll be fine once the coolant is topped up. So it was the dealer that told her to drive it up, so any extra damage was due to the dealer telling her to drive it back up.

Its all on the dealer so. Silly thing for him to ask you to do so.

Nuw

In fairness to the dealer, they look like they're doing their part, give them a chance to fix their mistake, see how it goes. She has a loaner car in the meantime, no loss as of yet apart from the inconvenience.

colm_mcm

Any dealer who says topping up coolant will fix a problem twice is a cowboy. End of story.

PaddyBomb

Nuw wrote: »

In fairness to the dealer, they look like they're doing their part, give them a chance to fix their mistake, see how it goes. She has a loaner car in the meantime, no loss as of yet apart from the inconvenience.

Yeah this is how I feel towards the situation too.

I'm also wondering about that insurance warranty that was sold with it. I'm wondering if they'll claim back the work and parts from that insurance. Then it will seem like they sold it knowing something would go wrong but it be covered by the insurance so it wouldn't cost them anything.

pearcider

All dealers are con men and cowboys. I'd love to know the make model of car though.

colm_mcm

pearcider wrote: »

All dealers are con men and cowboys. I'd love to know the make model of car though.

They really aren’t.

Sleeper12

PaddyBomb wrote:

Just wondering how would everyone approach this situation. Let them fix it and take the car? Or is she entitled to a complete refund?

I've been told before that it's up to the garage. They decide if they will repair or refund.

pearcider wrote:

All dealers are con men and cowboys. I'd love to know the make model of car though.

I don't believe ALL are. Many are but this guy seems to be stepping up to the mark so far without trying to wiggle out of it

clfy39tzve8njq

pearcider wrote:

All dealers are con men and cowboys. I'd love to know the make model of car though.

That's a sweeping statement and untrue

pearcider

You're a fool to go to a dealer unless you're buying new or nearly new. People do it for convenience and because they offer credit. Used car salesman buy bad cars for cheap money. It's a cliche because it's true. This forum is littered with stories of people buying lemons from cowboy dealers. These conmen buy cars for peanuts because nobody can get rid of them and stick on a huge profit and then hope some fool bites. The cars they stock usually either have issues and haven't been looked after properly or serviced. Most of them will actually have major issues that the dealer is actually aware of. Good luck getting them to honour their crappy warranty when something goes wrong. They will make a huge song and dance about it and it will be major hassle for you. Some cars will be pure lemons that should in fact be scrapped. A person who has looked after their car from new will sell privately if they sell at all. Only fools go to dealers. Note I am not talking about main dealers here. I am talking about cowboy dealers on done deal who sell in the sub 10k range.

smelly sock

Mini850 wrote: »

So the car was driven from the garage that diagnosed the problem with a known head gasket failure???

I'm sorry, but that problem went from being possibly just a head gasket replacement, to needing a full engine replacement due to it being driven by your GF. It should have been trailered back to the dealer, not driven.

If I was the dealer, id be annoyed

The girlfriend is neither a mechanic or car deal, bought a car in good faith and a week later it is wrecked. Totally faultless.

Sleeper12

pearcider wrote:

You're a fool to go to a dealer unless you're buying new or nearly new. People do it for convenience and because they offer credit. Used car salesman buy bad cars for cheap money. It's a cliche because it's true. This forum is littered with stories of people buying lemons from cowboy dealers. These conmen buy cars for peanuts because nobody can get rid of them and stick on a huge profit and then hope some fool bites. The cars they stock usually either have issues and haven't been looked after properly or serviced. Most of them will actually have major issues that the dealer is actually aware of. Good luck getting them to honour their crappy warranty when something goes wrong. They will make a huge song and dance about it and it will be major hassle for you. Some cars will be pure lemons that should in fact be scrapped. A person who has looked after their car from new will sell privately if they sell at all. Only fools go to dealers. Note I am not talking about main dealers here. I am talking about cowboy dealers on done deal who sell in the sub 10k range.

This is nonsense.

Had op bought privately they would have no warranty.

By buying from a garage op has a warranty and the dealer seems quite happy to stand over the warranty.

Are you actually reading this thread at all. Garage is standing over the warranty

Mintoe

pearcider wrote: »

You're a fool to go to a dealer unless you're buying new or nearly new. People do it for convenience and because they offer credit. Used car salesman buy bad cars for cheap money. It's a cliche because it's true. This forum is littered with stories of people buying lemons from cowboy dealers. These conmen buy cars for peanuts because nobody can get rid of them and stick on a huge profit and then hope some fool bites. The cars they stock usually either have issues and haven't been looked after properly or serviced. Most of them will actually have major issues that the dealer is actually aware of. Good luck getting them to honour their crappy warranty when something goes wrong. They will make a huge song and dance about it and it will be major hassle for you. Some cars will be pure lemons that should in fact be scrapped. A person who has looked after their car from new will sell privately if they sell at all. Only fools go to dealers. Note I am not talking about main dealers here. I am talking about cowboy dealers on done deal who sell in the sub 10k range.

What a clown you are..... you clearly have no understanding or knowledge of the motor trade or how it works..... you’d rather tar all dealers with the actions of the few...... it’s people like you that negatively influence other people on useful forums like this one..... the op posted a situation they’re experiencing in the hope of getting some decent, useful advice so your comments/opinion is pointless and inaccurate..... btw I’m not a dealer or connected in any way to any.... just someone who has some knowledge of the workings of motor industry.... of course you’re entitled to your opinion but when it’s untrue and potentially negatively influencing others that’s when, in my opinion, you’re opinion becomes harmful!!!!!!