Issues with used car recently bought from dealer I trusted

Adnerbia

Lads,

I'm a car novice who is in over their head and would love some advice.

Bought a used car from a dealer my self and my family have used before. Felt like the steering was a little heavier than my old car but figured I was just adjusting to the car which was an upgrade in size and engine capacity. Also new car is diesel and old car was petrol so just felt a bit different overall.

A week and a half into having it I was slowly turning into my drive when I tipped the edge of the wall that flanks my steps. There were some bumper scratches and I was so confused as to how it it happened. It felt like something was out of sync when it happened but I just thought it was me.

Took it to a body shop next day to get the scratches seen to as it was in immaculate previously. As they drove it into the garage to look at the scratches I could see them shaking the steering wheel back and forth. A few of the other lads came around the car to check it and they told me the steering is defective, way too much drag on it, like the front tyres were half flat. I was shocked but also kind of relieved that maybe I hadn't just randomly forgotten how to drive and hit the wall of the drive I've been using successfully for 7+ years.

Contacted the dealer who came and drove it and said there was nothing wrong, it was just how the car handled. I told him someone in a garage had driven it and wasnt happy with the steering at all. He asked what garage and I told him. After that he said he'd send it for assesement and ultimately the power steering motor was changed.

When I went to pick it up no one official was there even though theyd told me someone who could go through the work that was done. I had to ask the guy who valets their cars if he knew anything. He did not. I asked him to get someone who did know to call or meet me. One of the owners rang and said the car had been seen to and was good to go. I told him I was going to have it assessed independently as I clearly wasn't a reliable witness as to the efficacy of the steering and I had no one else to guide me. They agreed.

Straight to a mechanic who came back to say the heaviness had improved but that steering was still not right, the steering rack would need adjustment if not replacing.

Told the dealer this and he offered to have it sent to a specialist.

Is it unreasonable to refuse a second repair or to have expected an issue with the steering rack to have been caught when they changed the power steering motor and presumably assessed the steering overall?

In the interest of fairness the 2 main guys from the garage have been on holiday since just after they took my car for repair but they also told me it was repaired in their absence and that it was safe to drive.

At this stage I feel like just cancelling the sale. Car was sold with a new NCT for 2 years, shouldnt at least the inital steering issue have been caught at that time?

What would you do? I dont want to be unreasonable but also dont want to be taken for an absoulte fool either. I already feel foolish enough finding myself in this position and writing this post.

If you got to the end of my too long, admitedly, ill informed post and have advice at all, it would be appreciated.

User1998

Well they’ve already replaced the power steering pump so maybe give them a chance to rectify the steering rack issue. If its still not resolved then you could look at rejecting the car. It obviously wasn’t a reason for failure in the NCT

Adnerbia

Thank you, I feel this would be more reasonable if I didn't have cause to mistrust them after the last repair but it's definitely an option.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122734394#Comment_122734394

You haven’t got much of a choice really. I don’t think you can just hand the car back as of yet.

mickdw

It's not a kia or hyundai is it

Adnerbia

It's not, it's a Renault. I find myself missing my old reliable Skoda which never gave me an ounce of problems for 7 years. Lol

PsychoPete

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122735645#Comment_122735645

When you get heavy steering on the Renault or Dacia it can be hard to tell if it's the pump or steering rack. Normally end up changing both