TeamTaylor

Hi I thought I'd mention this experience to maybe save any other new arrivals pain. Migrating is tough enough without the hassle that we have had with the car that we purchased. We bought the car and since September 4th we have had it in our possession for 5 days in total due to multiple breakdowns. That's 5 days out of 56!!! I have been told by the dealer that they "don't know how things are done in the UK, but they don't do refunds". I don't want to bore people with the detail, but my diary of events is below if you want a look. I am speaking to consumer protection as not only am I concerned that the car won't break down, but I'm worried that it is unsafe. If the head lights weren't checked and the car can randomly decided to limit speed to 20 or 15kph then I don't want to put my children in it. ...and this wasn't a cheap 'banger' - it was a 115K kms Volvo. Still, the dealership is not willing to refund despite numerous requests and the car being consistently problematic. My advice to anyone is to be tough at the point of sale and state that you want the option to return the car should it turn out to be a complete lemon (ie, multiple serious faults). If they believe the car is a good car they should have no problem with this. ============================================================================= Late August: View the car and agree to sale once UK funds clear. There is a condition of sale that the rear seat that won't latch in position is fixed before collection. September 4th: Buy the car which immediately displays a gearbox fault on the way home from the car showroom. Independent specialist suspects pre-existence of fault since the car had fresh transmission fluid - ie it appeared someone had already tried to fix the fault. Also, the rear seat has not been fixed as promised. September 5th: Returned the car to the dealership. Late September: Previously difficult to operate ignition barrel fails and has to be replaced - meaning multiple sets of keys are required to manually open and start the car. October 9th : I'm told the car is ready for collection. I ask about the seat latch - and it still isn't fixed. The car is returned to workshop. October 16th: I pick the car up car after it has been worked on for over a month. It is dirty and has less fuel in it when it went. October 17th: Car displays intermittent indicator fault: safety issue. October 18th: I discover that when driving in the dark the headlights do not point at the road ahead. A serious safety issue obviously not checked pre delivery. October 20th: Car develops an engine fault and breaks down with my family on board. While talking to the dealership from the side of the road I am asked if I "need to discuss this now as there are people waiting to see me". I am able to restart it and return it to the dealership's nominated repairer. October 27th: I pick the car up car again. October 28th: After driving just a few KMs (only had the car overnight) the car displays a 'performance reduced' message and will not exceed 20kph after turning onto a busy road - with my family on board this was pretty scary - and dangerous. The car then refuses to start for 20 minutes. After a successful restart it allows us to get off the busy road before again failing and limiting us to 15kph for the journey home. Once home, I returned to the locked, unoccupied car to find the cabin fans running at full speed and they would not turn off until I had inserted the ignition key (fans were set to 'off' once ignition was on). October 29th: I am unwilling to drive the car at 15kph through the city so the car is collected by the repairer who is upset with me for not dealing with him directly as he has been given a tough time by the dealer. Compounded by various unreturned emails and phone calls I decide to pursue consumer protection for a resolution.