Main Dealers Obligations

[sebandbay]

Hi,

I purchased a 1 year old 2nd hand car approx 6 months ago from a main dealer and it has become apparent that the car has been in an accident and has had most of the offside repaired or replaced. I asked the main dealer upon purchase if the car has undergone any repair work, they told me no.

I discovered that the car had been in an accident when having some minor cosmetic repair work carried out. The bodyshop informed me that the car had been previously repaired and to a very poor quality! i.e front bumper mountings out of line and poor quality rusty nuts and bolts used.

I would like to return the car as I am unhappy with my findings, am I entitled to do so?

[TonyV]

What does it say on the terms and conditions you signed when you purchased the car?

[chas2008]

it sounds like the bodyshop are finding fault in someone elses work, quite common, front bumper out of line is nothing serious but after 6 months of ownership it could be difficult to argue that it wasnt your fault, ie minor bump. Not sure what the rusty nuts & bolts are all about theres not that many of these visible on a repair and its common practice to use the old ones anyway.
I have to say it must of looked OK when you purchased it so why 6 months down the line all this has been brought up ? out of interest what vehicle is this ?

[TWR]

Advice is often given on here to take someone that knows the ins & outs of 2ND hand car purchase, with respect if you would have taken the advise the problem might have been detected.

[sebandbay]

Hi Tony, Chas & TWR, thanks for your input.
It is an 09 Renault Megane and it is in fact my mother in laws car.
After having a small bump with a rock !! and damaging the front bumper /spoiler etc i offered to sort it out for her with a very good body shop next to where i work.
It took them longer than they expected as all the fixings were slightly out of line and they asked me if i/she knew that it had had quite a bit of bodywork done previously, and that if they had done it would have been to a better standard.
The reason for me asking advice is that by buying from a Renault main dealer she should'nt have issues like this, and is there any recourse ?

[sigma]

I seem to remember watching a consumer programme, could have been Watchdog, where there would be documentary evidence if a vehicle had been damaged and repaired through the insurance. The garage would have a legal obligation to report this to a prospective buyer especially if they were asked.

[Arti]

Even if there is a 'sold as seen' type clause in the contract, the fact that you asked the question about the repair work and were told 'no', means you were mis-sold the vehicle and have a very good chance of recourse in a civil court, should it come to that. If it were me, I would do some investigating. Firstly I would do this:
http://www.cartextcheck.co.uk/
Then I would speak to the person who owned the car before the dealership. Once I was armed with all the information, I would go to the dealership and speak to the highest person there (find this out from the website first, so that you sound more informed when you ask for the person by name). Tell them everything you have found out and that unless you get a satisfactory outcome (think about what it is you want before you go there) you will be taking action against them. If you get nowhere with them, tell them that you are writing to Renault UK headquarters. If this still doesn't get you what you want, then do write to the top person at the Renault HQ (get their name and details from the web). Mark the envelope 'Private & Confidential' and send it recorded delivery, including in the letter all of the details, dates etc. It may sound a lot to do, but it will be minimum outlay and hopefully, you will get a favourable outcome without the need for civil action. Good luck.

[tim64cars]

you maybe on a sticky wicket, but give it ago if it was a main dealer they may be more sympathetic, but they don't like losing money stop using it and get a quality independent car check from the aa or rac, if it's written down you may have more behind you, otherwise it's Citizens advice for you, Good Luck, but the first thing to do is stop using it and don't leave it at the dealers,

[ladybirder]

And if you follow Arti's advice don't forget to keep a copy of every letter you write.

[TWR]

Sebandbay, I'm sorry if my reply was abrupt but I have seen too many people getting ripped off by so-called dealers It near happened to me many years ago but in the end " I won" when so-one is thinking of buying a 2nd hand car & is hopeless regards the workings of a car it is in the finacial interest of that person to put their pride up their @rse & seek help, if it cost you £20 for the check by a friend or in the UK the AA or RAC, a lot can be found by a mechanic BUT A LOT can be be hidden from a buyer as you have found out, the majority of people out there work hard for their money so the last thing you want is extra expense if the car you bye brakes down or is found that's its been involved in a bad bump, a lot of people when they go & see a car JUMP at the first sight of a model they want that, is the first mistake never ever make a decision in haste always do your homework, never take the price that is asked, never bye on a rainy day as this can hide a lot of factors, never hand over cash, once the cash is handed over you have a long haul to try & re coupe that money always pay by Cheque or other means that you can stop within a time limit, a visual check by yourself works to a point, Eg/ look at the gap when the doors close, lift up the rubbers around the front / rear screen, look for over spray on inner wings / under the wings, lift the carpets up, are the carpets fitted right, the list goes on but to a person that is used to buying / dealing / mechanic this is easy, please don't think that I or many on here are criticizing with their advice, it's advise given to stop people getting ripped off & believe me there are thousands that get ripped off everyday due to the fact that they have not taken heed, of bought in haste. Good luck.