stripe Posted April 27, 2006 Posted April 27, 2006 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 Posted April 27, 2006 Posted April 27, 2006 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 Posted April 27, 2006 Posted April 27, 2006 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 Posted April 27, 2006 Posted April 27, 2006 What a nightmare [] hope you get it sorted out soon.
andy Posted April 27, 2006 Posted April 27, 2006 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 Posted April 27, 2006 Author Posted April 27, 2006 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 Posted April 27, 2006 Posted April 27, 2006 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.
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