Vehicle Inspection

[Kez_9]

I bought my car brand new from a reputable main Renault dealer in September 2001. I have never been  happy with it. My main concern, on then day I collected it the steering column was not fixed to the dashboard correctly and the indicator stalks were hanging out also. These problems were immediately rectified before the car left the garage. However, the car has just been for a service and the mechanic pointed out the car body work on the front driver's side wing is allbeit SUBTALLY different from that of the rest of the car. I am now convinced this car had some damage repair before I took it away from the garage where I bought it. I personally have never had any bodywork repairs on the car. Any ideas where I can get a cheap, formal and impartial bodywork check so I can take this matter further?

[spammylou]

I doubt that four years later you would be able to prove that this had not happened during the time of your ownership; normally upon purchase you have rights to return an item under the Sale and Supply of Goods Act (1984 I think) for it not being fit for the purpose of what it was sold for - during a certain timeframe, i.e one year?  If you check out the DTi website you should be able to find out what the Acts cover. Other than this, contact Trading Standards, they will be very able to help you. Good luck.  

[sddsddean]

Both the RAC and AA will do you one. Try their websites www.rac.co.uk www.theaa.co.uk but they wil be about �120 - �160.

[JANE.H]

I purchased a three year old Mazda MX6 from C D Bramall, who were at the time, Britains' second largest motor dealer.  Foolishly I paid cash for it, �11,000.  The car didn't feel right from the first minute I started driving it, although it had seemed fine on the test drive.  When I got it home I had a good look round it and noticed that the front n/s wing was not a colour match with the rest of the car.  The first breakdown, six days after purchase, was the first of nine during the first few months, 3 different Mazda dealers had the car in total for over a month.  They told me nothing was wrong with it, and assured me that the wing had been re painted after a minor accident.  Not quite,  For almost two years the car was in storage, I employed an independant expert engineer, got a solicitor for the trial and took C D Bramalls to court for selling me a vehicle that SHOULD have been written off, instead it had MAJOR front end damage, it had displaced the engine and was unroadworthy.  It also had outstanding H.P. taken out days before Bramalls had bought it!  I won my Court case, sadly I lost my job and two homes in the process.  Turns out that the front wing was probably the only original bodywork left.  Get an independant engineer to look at it.  Mine cost me �450 for the report. Worth every penny! Good luck, j