Used car dealers: Am I being unreasonable?

[Merlin8r]

Hi guys,

A few days before Christmas last year my wife and I bought our first VW, a Mk. 4 2 litre Golf. On Saturday the 19th of December we agreed on the trade in and purchase price of the Golf, and we signed all the paperwork. At the time we noticed a few things wrong with the car (interior light fitting broken, power mirrors didn't work, a blinker didn't work, and we asked to have the roof racks removed). This was noted on the sales paperwork, and we told the dealer, Sydney......., of Five Dock, that we would be back "early next week" to finalise payment and collect the car.

On Tuesday the 22nd of December we rang the dealer to let them know we were coming. Shortly after they rang back to say that they hadn't done ANY of the repairs yet. Well, we needed the car! It's just a few days before Christmas!

We collected the car, and agreed to return it within the 3 month warranty period to have the repairs completed. That night I discovered that almost EVERY light didn't work!

On Christmas Eve the car pretty much died, with a faulty MAF sensor and choked up O2 sensor the culprits. Attempted to call the dealer, no answer. Our local mechanic was gracious enough to make the repairs for us, and get the car running.

After Christmas we confronted the dealer, who said he was expecting us "on Thursday" (how is that early in the week in anyones book?). We told him we tried to call on Thursday anyway, and he says "well we aren't here Christmas Eve(!!!). That dealer again, is Sydney ....., of Five Dock.

After some debating he grudgingly signed a cheque for the cost of parts, but not labour.

In the new year we took the car back to our mechanic for a complete going over to check it out within the warranty period. He found (in addition to the ealier faults):

1. The left headlight was missing the lower fixing screw, so it flopped about.
2. The right headlight top fixing straps were both broken, so the light flopped about.
3. The front left foglight does not work.
4. Boot light fitting completed corroded and not working.
5. The 5 screws under the front grill holding the bumper on were missing.

Took the car and this list to Sydney Prestige, of Five Dock, and told them they could have the car for a week.

They kept it for 4 days, and all that has been fixed is the interior light fitting, the power mirrors and the boot light fitting (which still does not work!). Though they said they fixed everything else but the headlights.

The lights, they claim, is "wear and tear", and not covered by warranty.

Now, am I being unreasonable to assume these problems should be fixed? Or should I bring down the full wrath of the Department of Fair Trading along with any demons I can summon up? I have never, ever had to deal with such a stereotypical used car dealer before.

Apologies for the wall of text, but I've been jumping through hoops for these clowns.

[brodzta_GTI]

its very unreasonable that they've made you jump through hoops, but unfortunatly too get your repairs done your dealing with 2 departments. sales and service..it may turn out to be ( and 9 times out of 10 ) its a case of the sales department not wanting to pay for the issue to be fixed or they might just ask sales to patch it. ( ive heard of some places doing this )

the car should of had a used car check over when it got to the dealership anyway..

before you bring in the cavlery, have a chat to the sales manager, service manager and D.P.. if you dont get a result then bring in the cavlery

[Merlin8r]

I have been dealing entirely with the owner. There is no service department as such, just a mechanic they use.

The owner actually yelled at my wife over the phone for questioning him!

[JVLR32]

mate if u want to win or get compensation....the ombudsman is ur friend! go straight to the top....

[sydVR6]

All the issues you have mentioned are covered by the statutory warranty on used cars sole by dealer with under 160,000km, under 10 years old, for 3 months or 5,000km from purchase.

If the dealer refuses to fix these items or gives you the run around, go to the Department of Fair Trading.
If you play your cards right, the dealer will fix your problems, because they won't want you going to Fair Trading.

I know that these problems are extremely distressing, but you are covered by the laws and statutes concenring the sale of used cars by licensed dealers in this state.

As for 'wear and tear' - Sounds more like the car has been in a frontal collision and repaired - hence the missing screws, headlight fittings, etc.

[Merlin8r]

As for 'wear and tear' - Sounds more like the car has been in a frontal collision and repaired - hence the missing screws, headlight fittings, etc.

Exactly what I thought. I know that these things are covered by warranty, as I'm sure he does. It's just an expensive fix and he doesn't want to pay for it. But that's not my problem.

[JustCruisn]

As for 'wear and tear' - Sounds more like the car has been in a frontal collision and repaired - hence the missing screws, headlight fittings, etc.

X2.
When a headlight takes an impact the strap bits on top snap.

[Jmac]

X2.
When a headlight takes an impact the strap bits on top snap.

Yep pretty much one of the 1st thing i check on a pre purchase inspection.Look if it is repaired right well thats ok, but really sounds like crap service and crap follow up imo
Jmac

[Merlin8r]

The truly ironic thing is that we bought from a dealer for the extra cover you don't get when buying privately. If these issues had of cropped up after a private sale, well caveat emptor. But we paid the dealer the premiums they want for a warranty.

Since then we have bought a Mk. 4 GTI from a forum member privately, and couldn't be happier. He even answered questions about the car post-sale.

[dylan8]

I took my car back to the dodgy brother dealer i got it from within the 3month period, i had had it checked locally and was put down to the MAF sensor, got down there, they were happy to replace it, at my cost! My old man almost lost his ****. In the end they gave in, and replaced it with a MAF sensor from another car they had in the yard (with already 20,000km more then my car)..
Know what your going through dude! and youve had more of a run around then me. Your not being over the top, fair enough if a globe had blown, but parts like that broken and not working from the word go is unfair.
Hope you get it all sorted!