MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
A month ago I bought a fiesta for my wife from a [b]Ford Dealer[/b]. At the time they had a new-year sale on their warranties. The car is a 51-plate but the sale rep said he could provide a unlimited parts and labour warranty usual only available for cars less than 5 years, because this fiesta was low mileage. He also said all the cars were checked by the RAC and were service and MOT'd before sale.
We agreed to buy the car, paid a deposit and were told it would take a couple of days to bring the car to the garage and service it. We didn't see the car on the day we paid the deposit because it was at a storage depot. Normally I wouldn't have paid the deposit before seeing it but he assured us that it was RAC checked (else I would have got the RAC or AA to check it myself). On the deposit receipt it clearly say 'Premium warrenty', but nothing about the RAC check.
10 days goes by before the car is ready. When it is delivered it only has a limited warrenty, called 'plan B' (covering less and with £1000 limit). We phone to complain but the sales rep is on long term sick leave. Sales rep 2 says its impossible to administer the 'plan A' warrenty on this car and say we must have mis-understood. He offers us a free service instead. We then check the service log and it hasn't been serviced before we got it, so the they agree to service the car immediately (as well as the free service in a year).
Having driven the car around for a week we've noticed some unusual 'stuttering' when accerating in 4th + 5th (probably HT leads or ignition coil) and a rattling noise for the tapets. I checked the valve clearences myself (they were miles out!) and this has improved it slightly but having phoned the dealer it now turns out that it wasn't checked by the RAC (only their in-house mechanics). If I had know this I would not have bought the car.
I would expect these sorts of problems from a dodgey back-street dealer but this is a main Ford dealer. I'm tired of listening to excuses from their internal complains department. Surely there is someone we can report this to as a misleading sale? Any sensible advice?
Take it back and say fix it or i want my money back ?
Sorry but you give the impression you didn't see the car before paying a deposit and agreeing to buy it?
With regard service/RAC check/MOT/warranty, what was in writing and what was verbal?
Just bought a new used car ourselves; its a bloody minefield/lottery!
Did you get the assurance in writing at the time of sale?
Reject it. Lots, if not most, of garages have money back guarnatees these days. There's millions of used cars around and you can afford to be really picky
The warranty clear says 'Premium warranty' on the deposit form. Sale rep 2 says that means premium for that car ie. plan B.
2nd Peterpoddy reject it and report to trading standards
Apologises didnt read your original post properly. Pop into the branch as a 'new' customer and pick up some info on premium warranties. Get your mateto do this whilst you wait outside if your face is known. It'll strengthen your case.
Wait until they have lots of customers in then go and make a big loud fuss until they sort it.
[i]Lots, if not most, of garages have money back guarnatees these days[/i]
...usually with a time limit. OP says bought a month ago...whats the time period with money back guarantees?
[i]Sale rep 2 says that means premium for that car ie. plan B. [/i][i]
Sounds a bit sneaky
They may not be able to set up a premium warranty due to the age of the vehicle, however as you have this in writing, they have not honoured their contract which would give you grounds to reject the vehicle.
http://www.ford.co.uk/cs/ContentServer?cid=1204907557149&pagename=0_Wrapper&childpagename=UKEN_ENGInE%2FLayout4&c=Page
Hmmm its Gold that covers upto 5yrs/60k
Its not Arnold Clark is it?
No, Bristol Street Motors.
Phew
Wouldn't a Fiesta of that age have self adjusting valves?
I would expect these sorts of problems from a dodgey back-street dealer but this is a main Ford dealer.
HAHAHAHAHA! Main dealers are some of the dodgiest around. Small companies have nothing but their reputation to go on, whereas big ones get trade whatever. We've been really screwed over by main dealers before now - mentioning no Wessex of course.
Wouldn't a Fiesta of that age have self adjusting valves?
Zetec engines do but not the older style Endura engines (which are still in production I think)
My only experience of a Ford dealer, walked in..
'can we help'?
yes do you have more info on the Ford Fiesta?
'yes one minute'
..waits
'come this way'
Turned the corner to find the sales manager with a order form ready to fill in and the salesman stood next to him.
I asked if they were seriously cracked? All I wanted was a brochure and he said something about timewasters (but veiled it probably in a last ditch attempt to psychologically trap 'a leaver' into feeling guilty and staying longer).
I work in sales but that was pressure sales in motion. Shocked me.
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TBH it sounds like the salesman under pressure from his sales manager had been told to say anything verbally to complete a sale. 'Premium' was talked up in your case to get you to sign.
No time limit. Goods not as described / faulty - return to dealer and get your money back.
You cant just 'get your money' back.
Seriously, you wont get a correct answer asking on a MTB forum. Phone < http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/> who will offer you practical civil advice, and if there are further issues to look into will pass it to Trading Standards.
Zetec engines do but not the older style Endura engines (which are still in production I think)
Fair enough - was just a thought.... 🙂 (I know the Ka still used the Endura engine on the 1.3 model so I guess the smaller Fiestas were too...)
But surely a month later isn't too late when you have already brought up issues - them delaying/not helping doesn't absolve them of the responsibility - I would certaoinly look at speaking to Trading Standards as you had, in writing, a premium warranty and not a 'premium warranty for a car of a certain age'. What a crock.
usually with a time limit. OP says bought a month ago
Sorry missed that bit, but TJ is right too........
NW alps - sale of goods act applies to secondhand cars as well - it might be reasonable to have a small deduction in the amount of money you get back as you have had use for it for a month. 100% entitled to return it if it is not right. No question no quibble.
TJ - i am aware of the SoGA. I work for TS.... 8)