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Hello,
I bought a car on thursday, a 2001 Ford Laser, an automatic. On the test drive it drove fine. I completed an AA check and the only thing that popped up was the fan not working on the car. The dealer fixed that issue so the car was bought.
On Friday night, i drove the car for about an hour - no problems at all.
Then after an hour, the car was sticking between gears. Basically, from a standing position, the car struggles to pick up speed. When it changes up the gears it sticks, then the Revs go through the roof and the car jumps forward quickly. I tested the car yesterday and it was the same problem.
I intend to take the car to my local mechanic tomorrow (not sure if he'll charge to diagnose the problem) - just that then i have some information with which to go back to the dealer with.
I should be covered by the Consumers Guarantee Act - but i am worried the dealer will try and wriggle his way out of it. 3 days is not good enough for a 5k purchase, even though its done 150k's.
I hope this doesnt get too messy - fromt the description of the issue i've described, do you think it counts as a pre-exisiting fault? The dealer didnt mention any transmission issues.
I just hope that because i had an AA check, which said no Transmission issues, that the dealer can get away with saying the car was fine.
I'll know more once my mechanic tells me the issue - i am not paying for any repairs!
If its serious - then i will try and reject the car and get a full refund.
Don't take it to your mechanic. Take it straight to the dealer for rectification. You should have no problem getting him to repair it as the problem has arisen so soon after purchase and he is bound by the CGA.
However, you also have obligations under the CGA too, and that is to offer the dealer the opportunity to put it right. The minute you break your obligation by having a third party (ie; your mechanic) become involved you are starting to erode your rights. I know you said you would only get an opinion from your mechanic and not have him do any work, but as it's so soon after purchase, going to the dealer is the best option.
Turns out it needs a new coil. Will take it to dealer this week and he is fixing it.
So hopefully no more issues after that. Will get a 6 month guarantee on it as well.