REALLY NEED YOUR HELP FOLKS

[stripe]

Well, after a month of Scooby ownership, disaster. Few days ago, the car broke down coming home from work. I got my dad to tow me home. Contacted Arnold Clark Grangemouth where I bought it, who so helpfully pointed out that my 1 month warranty had expired 4 days previously, however said they would recover the car for free, and have a look at it and "help with the costs of repair" as I am, after all still an Arnold Clark customer.

Well, just had a phonecall, during which I was told all compression has been lost on Cylinder No 1, and looks like a melted piston or valve. A new engine was mentioned, and apparently they have a low miles one down in England, however I am het for the bill for it, they will do as much as they can they say, but most of the cost will be down to me.

Is there anything I can do guys, as I Cannot afford a hefty repair bill, never mind a new sodding engine. Arnold Clark are really good to you when they are taking your money, however when you have a problem they are not interested one bit. Does anyone have any suggestions, help is very much appreciated [:'(]

[jobg]

Hi,

 

As far as I am aware, all used cars bought from a trader, should have a minimum of 6 months warranty as per a European ruling last year. The trader must also be able to prove that the fault was not present at the time of delivery. Better check with you citizens adice or trading standards.

In your case it will most likely be a MAF sensor fault that will have developed over the last few months.

 

Good luck

[dougster]

Sorry to hear this Stripe.

I'd follow some of the advice given my jobg and good luck.

P.S. we all know the horror stories about Arnold Clark so please keep things factual if anyone else posts on the thread.

[vicki]

What a nightmare [] hope you get it sorted out soon.

[andy]

Crappy situation. Arnold Clark is a member of the Scottish Motor Trade Association. Their website can be found here. The consumer rights page is offline atm, but they're the people I'd be getting in touch with. 

Their code of practice doesn't mention mandatory warranties, but this is the section on Used Car Sales. did you see and were you given a copy of a checklist saying that a check had been carried out to a standard "approved by the RMI or SMTA"?

4 Used Car Sales

4.1 Used cars sold to consumers must conform to legislation affecting

the construction and use of cars and should, where appropriate,

be accompanied by a current Department for Transport Test (MOT)

Certificate.

4.2 Members must bear in mind that sales of used cars are subject

to the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and attention is specifically drawn

to the conditions of satisfactory quality and fitness for purpose.

If, however, defects are specifically brought to the attention

of consumers or consumers examine the car before a contract is

made there is no condition of satisfactory quality as regards those

specific defects or ones that examination ought to reveal. Members

should therefore reveal defects on an approved checklist (see 4.5

below). The format of the checklist is determined and/or approved

by the RMI or SMTA as appropriate. Members should provide reasonable

facilities to enable prospective consumers or their nominees to

carry out an examination of the car prior to sale, in order that

any defects which ought to be revealed at the time of sale are

made known to both parties.

4.3 If a printed guarantee or warranty is not used, then any specific

promises which the

Member is willing to make in relation to the used car should be

set out in writing and be in plain and intelligible language.

4.4 Used cars must be offered for sale in a roadworthy condition.

The Member will carry out a pre-sales inspection in accordance

with a checklist approved by the RMI or SMTA. The checklist must

be completed and either prominently displayed on the car or shown

to a prospective purchaser of the car before it is sold. A copy

of the checklist shall be given to the purchaser on completion

of the sale.

4.5 All descriptions, whether used in advertisements or in negotiations

regarding the sale of used cars should be honest, truthful and

not misleading. Terms which are likely to be misunderstood by consumers

or which are not capable of exact definition must be avoided.

4.6 Relevant written information provided by

previous owners regarding the history of cars must be passed on

to consumers. This may include service records, repair invoices,

inspection reports, handbooks and warranties, as applicable.

4.7 Reasonable steps will be taken to verify

the recorded mileage of a used car and

Members will use reasonable endeavors to obtain a signed statement

from the previous owner as to the car's mileage. Members must pass

on any known facts about an odometer reading to prospective consumers.

4.8 Unless the Member is satisfied that the quoted mileage of

a used car is accurate, such mileage must not be quoted in advertisements,

discussions or negotiations or in any documents related to the

supply of the used car. Where cars' mileage cannot be verified,

consumers will be informed. The law requires that any disclaimer

used must be as bold, precise and compelling as the car's mileage

reading itself and as effectively brought to the prospective consumer's

attention.

4.9 Finance on Part Exchanges

Members are obliged to make reasonable efforts to ensure they give

good title (eg by obtaining a statement from a finance checking

house) by checking and discharging existing finance on cars they

sell. Also, whenever possible, Members will check whether any

outstanding recalls exist on a car.

[stripe]

Thanks guys.

Andywrx, I certainly wasn't give or shown any PSI checklist, not at any point. My Finacee is just off the phone to them, they say that they understand how bad the situation is (To be fair the guy was brandnew) and according to him, they will more than likely be covering the whole cost of any repairs or, most likely, the new engine. I have also been given a courtesy car, which I pick up tomorrow, which I have been given for the duration of the work. Looks like they may have seen the light, and are now really trying to put the problem right, fair play to them if they are true to their promise[]

If they do turn round and give me anymore grief about it, thanks to the info you guys have given me I will be better equipt to deal with it, appreciate it folks []

[andy]

Sounds promising. If you have any hassles, I'd suggest insisting the vehicle is inspected by an INDEPENDENT (i.e. outwith the Arnold Clark Group!) authorised Subaru dealer or an independent expert (AndyF?) who could give a fair and honest evaluation as to whether the underlying cause of the problem could have existed at the time of purchase. Even if you had to pay for that if things got legal it could prove very worthwhile.