Buying Used Cars

[Daleybobs]

We bought a used car on 30th July.We have physically only had it for 8 days as the rest of the time it has been back to the dealers 3 times for an ongoing fault.They gave us a 1 month warranty.As this car was bought specifically to tow a caravan we decided we wanted a refund as the trust to tow has gone!! I want to know where I legally stand in getting a refund.In my opinion the car is not fit for purpose.As they have said they will get it right they say I cannot have my money back.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

What problems do you have with the car ?

[Daleybobs]

Hi

It originally started as the DPF filter getting 'blocked' or at least the light coming on to say it was,they took it in for a regen and all looked ok,told all there is to know about DPF filters now,however then filled up twice and everytime then the fuel filter lights came on and then the car goes into limp mode.Dealer took it over to Suzuki and they had it for a few days,tested everything,had new glow plugs in and siad filter defo not blocked. They filled it up to give it a run and went into limp mode again after about 5 mins ,so they drafted a diesel expert in who has fond a hole in the intercooler now,which they are replacing,but I now just have no faith in the car at all and I know Im no mechanic but would an intercooler make iot go into limp mode. They said it happening when filling up with diesel is just 'coincidence'. ??

[ToraToraTora]

OK diesels are a nightmare when this whole DPF game rasies it's head. Pound to a penny the dealership knew about it and probably tried to fix it but basically once they go it's a lot of money to fix properly, there are a few quck fixes that work for a short while I guess they did one of those and off loaded it to you.

Ok legally the car is not fit for purpose and you are entitled to a refund, they have had several goes at fixing it and failed so you are entitled to a refund. However hell will freeze over before you get one. Personally I'd demand a refund and then issue small claims proceedings when they refuse. All they'll do is keep having it in for repair and failing, then after a month they'll ignore you. Oddly enough the warrenty should start again after each repair but again you are struggling. We have no lemon laws so it is notoriously difficult to get a refund.

It's cold comfort but this is primarily why I won't touch a diesel with a barge pole.

Good luck

[ToraToraTora]

It depends on the car but the emmissions control system on a diesel consists of a multitude of sensors, the DPF itself, Elyos fluid, ECU units and and gawd knows what else. Tell me the exact make/model/year and I may be able to help. The intercooler is for the turbo and that is powered by exhaust gases, ie the opposite end of the process to the fuel system so that sounds like BS to me.

[Buenchico]

While there are obviously some differences, the same basic rules apply when buying a used car that also apply when buying any new item. Once you've legally 'accepted' the item you lose the right to a refund; you're only entitled to a repair or replacement. (The trader appears to be relying upon that).

However, since the fault obviously became known fairly soon after purchase, you never legally 'accepted' the car, so you retain the right to a full refund of your money. (The length of the pre-acceptance period isn't defined in law but you must be given sufficient time to check that everything is fully working before you're deemed to have accepted the goods purchased. In a test case, a court ruled that a woman who had purchased a car during the winter, but only found out that the air-conditioning wasn't working at the start of the summer, had never 'accepted' the vehicle as it would have been unreasonable for her to test the air-conditioning prior to that time).

Your local Trading Standards department should be able to advise you further, and may possibly be able to put some pressure on the dealer to offer a refund. Enter your postcode here to find the contact details:
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/

[Daleybobs]

The car is a 2009 Suzuki GV 1.9 ddis.

[ToraToraTora]

Ok this is a well know preoblem car, apparently it works ok if you do a lot of motorway driving! just google "DPF limp mode problems on a suzuki GV 1.9 DDIS" and you'll see things like this:
http://suzuki4u.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7304
etc

[TWR]

If this is a start to your new purchase, get rid as soon as, get your money back, the car is not fit for purpose, what would you have done / cost if this had happened abroad???

[gingejbee]

Am I the only one who'd be a bit suspicious of buying a used car with a ONE MONTH warranty?

[ToraToraTora]

I've bought lots of used cars usually with no warranty ging, I have a huge checl list at he top of which is NO diesel! Anyway a used car warranty is worthless usually anyway. Caveat emptor is the phrase here. Do your home work and due dilligence. A dealership/warranty has no meaning. You can buy a brand new car off a main dealer and still have the same problems, makers warrenty is good up to a point but even then it's hard to get a refund or replacement. Car dealers will resist giving a refund/replacement till the ends of the earth. The bigger the facade the bigger the crooks. Fortunately modern cars are hugely more reliable than ever so problems like this are geting rarer. Sadly for the OP he's bought one of the cars with known problems.

[chas2008]

as a point of interest ,

damaged/leaking intercooler or intercooler pipes will cause the management light to come and throw the vehicle into limp mode.
certainly not BS

[ToraToraTora]

yes it will throw it into limp mode in it's own right, but it's not a DPF issue.

[Robbbbo]

In answer to ToraToraTora, in my albeit limited experience, the 1527cc Peugeot / Citroén diesel engines as fitted to the 106 and Saxo are very good ,one mechanic friend said they were the best of their type, before the current "common rail" engines came along. I know there's no DPF to clog up. I am on my 4th such car in 15 years. What drew me to them was their frugal fuel consumption. 60 mpg is normal, on a long run it's even better. When it comes to replacing it if I can't find another then I will agree with ToraToraTora and find a petrol car.

[chas2008]

Robbbo im with you, had diesel Pugs for the last 14 years, 206/207 and currently a 308..(estate)
Never had a moments problem and as you say fuel consumption superb, best being the 206 1.4d 75+ on a sensible drive down the motorway.
People say some Fords are fitted with Peugeot engines but they never seem to achieve the same MPG

[avigau111]

Buying a used car is always a good idea to have a car at lower cost but every one should take guidance from in car expert for choosing right car in terms of performances. Thanks
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