1. Cars home
  2. Motoring Rules & Regulations

Ask an expert

jpberdux
By jpberdux | AA Member | 1 Post | 3 August 2012 at 1:48pm

Hi,

I bought a 1999, NZ New, Toyota Camry 2.2 Petrol automatic 2 months ago from a dealer.

Before buying it, I asked if the cam belt needed doing and it did, the dealer accepted to fund the replacement.

The dealer had otherwise no history of what servicing had been done in the past.

I also purchased 2 years AA Advantage mechanical breakdown insurance cover from the dealer at the same time for peace of mind.

Now I recently checked the servicing stickers on the windshield and noticed that the car was due for an oil change and wheel alignment about 12 months ago.

I therefore went to book a service and alignment (car was slightly pulling to one side) with my local AA service center.

After the service it turns out the car still needs the following:
- Seal at coil pack because of a slight leak at back of head
- Full Transmission Service
- Fuel filter change
- Brake fluid change due to high water content
- Coolant fluid change due to test results being weak.

Now, I am not very familiar with NZ law but was wondering if any of this should have legally been checked or done by the dealer before selling the car to me ?

Also I could only potentially see the head leak being covered by AA Advantage, and even then there would be a $125 excess.

Any advice much appreciated.

ABayliss
By ABayliss | AA Expert | 2169 Posts | 6 August 2012 at 10:39am

Unfortunately, most (if not all) of the items you mention are service and maintenance items, so you don't really have any come-back on the dealer. These are the sort of things that can be negotiated at the time of purchase but not faults as such, which would be covered under the Consumer Guarantees Act or your Warranty Insurance.