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Hi there,

Long story short, I bought a car from a dealer that ended up having significant problems. The dealer has taken over a month to organise the repairs and have denied that full repairs as quoted needed to be carried out. They have only just started repair, 6 weeks after the car broke down, during which time I have been caused significant stress to organise alternative transport for my daily commute. I have just filed a claim under MVDT for a refund as the repairs have not been carried out in a timely manner. My question is, if the dealer gets two weeks to respond, and then it's another couple of months for a hearing, what am I best to do in the interim if the car is fully repaired within that period? If, by the time the case is heard, the repairs are fully complete, would I still be in my rights to ask for a refund, or do I have to just suck it up that it might have taken my car off the road for 6-8 weeks longer than necessary if they had just fronted up and paid for the repairs right away?

Hi there,
rejection of the vehicle becomes an option if the fault/ faults are classed as serious or a collection of minor faults has deemed the nature serious. The selling dealer has the first right of remedy and they can as they see fit, it would also be negotiated what is deemed their responsibility and what isn't. The repairs should be carried out within a reasonable time, if no timeframe is given (time would also depend of the factors of the repair, and what is causing delay). You also have the right to ask for a courtesy vehicle to get around while yours is off the road.
If the vehicle is repaired before your hearing, then you will need to rethink your claim, as they may be seen as fulfilling their obligation under the Act simply by having it repaired- if it fails again or is not repaired correctly , then your rights continue. https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/solving-issues-car-dealer/