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Recent second-hand purchase from dealership - lots of problems

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  • 13-04-2021 10:35am
    #1
    gmannix1000
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭


    Hi All,

    Wondering if anyone has been in this situation before and could advise on the situation below?

    Bought a 2013 car from a car dealership in Dublin (not SIMI affiliated) last month and been having issues with the car - heavy smoke from exhaust, coolant levels dropping consistently, engine lights coming on dash. We're in Kerry and had it dropped it us after a car inspection by an independent firm as we couldn't travel. Nothing significant came from the inspection (mainly visual and a short test drive) so we proceeded with purchase. Turns out the piston rings, timing chain kit, head gasket need to be replaced/engine rebuilt. To me, this seems like an extraordinary amount of work given we've only had the car a few weeks.

    At first the dealership refused refund and only offered repair. The car in currently in their garage after being assessed and they want to put the claim through the warranty they provided us to cover as much as the claim will allow.

    I honestly would prefer a refund and walk away at this stage but they are adamant that they will only do the repair at their cost. We're going on almost two weeks without a car. I've spoken to CCPC (who basically said that they are meeting their obligations by repairing and failing that would need to go to court) and have a call with FLAC clinic this evening (to discuss the situation and what options I currently have)

    Has anyone been in this situation before, or have any advice what to do? It seems to be a significant amount of engine work.


Comments

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    #2
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,619 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Who did the independent inspection?


  • Options
    #3
    gmannix1000
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭gmannix1000


    Henry Ford III wrote: »
    Who did the independent inspection?

    Was recommended a car inspection firm in Dublin to carry it out a prepurchase inspection.


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    #4
    Henry Ford III
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,619 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    gmannix1000 wrote: »
    Was recommended a car inspection firm in Dublin to carry it out a prepurchase inspection.

    Go talk to them too I'd suggest.

    What make and model is it?


  • Options
    #5
    BlakeS94
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭BlakeS94


    gmannix1000 wrote: »
    Hi All,

    Wondering if anyone has been in this situation before and could advise on the situation below?

    Bought a 2013 car from a car dealership in Dublin (not SIMI affiliated) last month and been having issues with the car - heavy smoke from exhaust, coolant levels dropping consistently, engine lights coming on dash. We're in Kerry and had it dropped it us after a car inspection by an independent firm as we couldn't travel. Nothing significant came from the inspection (mainly visual and a short test drive) so we proceeded with purchase. Turns out the piston rings, timing chain kit, head gasket need to be replaced/engine rebuilt. To me, this seems like an extraordinary amount of work given we've only had the car a few weeks.

    At first the dealership refused refund and only offered repair. The car in currently in their garage after being assessed and they want to put the claim through the warranty they provided us to cover as much as the claim will allow.

    I honestly would prefer a refund and walk away at this stage but they are adamant that they will only do the repair at their cost. We're going on almost two weeks without a car. I've spoken to CCPC (who basically said that they are meeting their obligations by repairing and failing that would need to go to court) and have a call with FLAC clinic this evening (to discuss the situation and what options I currently have)

    Has anyone been in this situation before, or have any advice what to do? It seems to be a significant amount of engine work.

    First of all, I wouldn't ever buy a car without seeing it in person, pre purchase inspection or not. But we're past that. The work involved in fixing the repair is huge, as you've said its basically an engine rebuild, if its not done by someone who is completely confident in carrying out head gasket repairs and pulling pistons from cylinders then you could still have issues even after they've done the repair. I would argue that they knew the car had major faults like that before they sold it. I'd keep pushing for a refund and get in touch with a solicitor for more clarification


  • Options
    #6
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,382 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Would you qualify for distance selling cooling off period?


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  • Options
    #7
    newmember2
    Registered Users Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭newmember2


    colm_mcm wrote: »
    Would you qualify for distance selling cooling off period?

    Would think that's expired by now if they have the car a few weeks.


  • Options
    #8
    colm_mcm
    Registered Users Posts: 73,382 ✭✭✭✭colm_mcm


    Might depend when it actually got delivered, if that was arranged by the garage.


  • Options
    #9
    Goose81
    Registered Users Posts: 4,170 ✭✭✭Goose81


    BlakeS94 wrote: »
    First of all, I wouldn't ever buy a car without seeing it in person, pre purchase inspection or not. But we're past that. The work involved in fixing the repair is huge, as you've said its basically an engine rebuild, if its not done by someone who is completely confident in carrying out head gasket repairs and pulling pistons from cylinders then you could still have issues even after they've done the repair. I would argue that they knew the car had major faults like that before they sold it. I'd keep pushing for a refund and get in touch with a solicitor for more clarification

    TBF that's absolute bread and butter basic stuff for any mechanic to do, if the garage want to fix it I don't see what other recourse the op has.


  • Options
    #10
    fryup
    Registered Users Posts: 18,069 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    gmannix1000 wrote: »

    Bought a 2013 car from a car dealership in Dublin (not SIMI affiliated)

    we're talking a second-hand dealership then?


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    #11
    Mintoe
    Registered Users Posts: 340 ✭✭Mintoe


    Op should look up the sale of goods and supply of services law to see exactly what their rights are.... firstly the dealer has right to repair and if same problem exists afterwards then they may be entitled to refund....up to 12 months warranty should apply to the repair
    Like what’s been said before, purchasing 8 year olds car unseen without test drive is always a big risk.... lesson learned maybe.... what car is it? Why not purchase locally or ask local dealer to source for you???ðŸ‘


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    #12
    road_high
    Registered Users Posts: 19,385 ✭✭✭✭road_high


    Wasn’t a Naas road job by any chance?


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    #13
    GSBellew
    Registered Users Posts: 679 ✭✭✭GSBellew


    Did they sell you an additional insurance warranty which is what they are proposing to use to cover the repair cost?

    That's the only way I can see them pulling any sort of stroke.

    Either way, repair would be the first port of call, unless you can establish that they were aware or should have been aware of faults, the pre purchase inspection you commissioned will not help your case, unless they were recommended to you by the garage themselves.


  • Options
    #14
    gmannix1000
    Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭gmannix1000


    Hi All,

    Just had an update on this, we dropped the car off almost three weeks ago now for repair. Initially we were told 4-5 days and then an additional week as they had to wait for parts and now, on the third week, they won't answer the phone or emails to let us know the status of the car or when it would be ready for collection. So frustrating that we have to deal with this and go for a third week without a car.

    It is very inconvenient now for us to be without the car this long and with no end in sight, this is turning into a gongshow. Has anyone any advice on what I can do? I'd like to give them an ultimatum of a date by when the car needs to be repaired by (end of the week) and insisting on a refund after this but I know they'll just ignore it.


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    #15
    bazz26
    Registered Users Posts: 51,112 ✭✭✭✭bazz26


    The problem is that they are in Dublin, they know you are not and probably won't be able to bug them in person due to covid restrictions. So they are just ignoring you which is easy to do over the phone and by email.


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    #16
    fryup
    Registered Users Posts: 18,069 ✭✭✭✭fryup


    how far are you into your warranty OP??

    seems like the dealer is dragging his heels on this so as to have the car out of warranty when he returns it to you


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    #17
    beauf
    Closed Accounts Posts: 22,651 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    fryup wrote: »
    how far are you into your warranty OP??

    seems like the dealer is dragging his heels on this so as to have the car out of warranty when he returns it to you

    Exactly this. They have no intention of fixing that car properly, if at all.


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