So... my "new" car has some problems

Sp00n

Sp00n

Sp00n

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
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Brighton
Saturday it jammed the gearbox all by itself and I've had to get it recovered this morning and looked at by a garage.

My question isn't really related to the problems but more on what and if I have any rights as I have only owned the car about a 6 weeks, or am I just stuck with the repair bill?

The car was purchased from a trade dealer.
 
Sorry, it's a 2003 Golf GTI 1.8T, 65k on the clock.

I keep reading stuff about a 3 month statutory warranty but can't find any concrete definitions.
 
Yes they have an obligation to sort it out for you as it probably wasnt fit for purpose when they sold it to you.

In reality how much joy you get will be a lottery and depend on the trader.
 
Sp00n said:
Saturday it jammed the gearbox all by itself and I've had to get it recovered this morning and looked at by a garage.

My question isn't really related to the problems but more on what and if I have any rights as I have only owned the car about a 6 weeks, or am I just stuck with the repair bill?

The car was purchased from a trade dealer.
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Take it back, although the gearbox could be seen as a wear and tear issue, no doubt it was on its way out when you bought it though
 
Ok, so is it worth me waiting for the current garage to come back with the report or should I just get hold of the trader I bought it from and see what they want to do, if indeed they will do anything at all.

What happens if they refuse?

The recovery guy got the car out of gear pretty easily by using the selector and me pulling back on the gearstick (it was stuck in first) and then it was drivable after that but I don't want it happening again.
 
Sp00n said:
Ok, so is it worth me waiting for the current garage to come back with the report or should I just get hold of the trader I bought it from and see what they want to do, if indeed they will do anything at all.

What happens if they refuse?

The recovery guy got the car out of gear pretty easily by using the selector and me pulling back on the gearstick (it was stuck in first) and then it was drivable after that but I don't want it happening again.
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Ring them and explain what has happened.

Without doubt if they want to do anything to help you they will want it to go to their usual mechanic for a cheaper rate.

If you get no joy you can threaten them with a claim in court, its up to you how far you want to push it really.
 
OK well the garage has just got back to me and said that they can't recreate the problem and they can't see anything wrong other than the clutch plate squeaking a little bit.

Nothing I can do with it which is quite irritating, I guess if it happens again I will leave it in place and see if I can get it lifted so they can see how its jammed.

Thanks for the advice anyway peeps.
 
If the fault cannot be recreated then it is more difficult but ensure that you record the event and write a letter to the dealership who sold you the car outlining what happened and any costs you incurred as part of it.

Make sure it is in writing and keep a copy for yourself incase it happens again. You are protected by SOGA as a consumer and by alerting them to the fault now if it happens again in a few weeks time you strengthen your case.

www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk for advice on what to do next in the event of a repeat fault and wanting to have it repaired or reject the vehicle. As a consumer the onus is on the dealership to prove that the fault was not present at point of sale for first 6 months of you owning it. That means if it fails at 5 months and cannot be repaired then they need to prove you caused the fault otherwise they will have to repair at no cost to you or refund you for the vehicle.

Whilst the car is working now you cannot go down this route but make sure you remember your rights if something goes wrong later on.
 
my post didnt post.

basically it sounds like immanent clutch failure. the clutch failing to disengauge is a class sign, which is odd for a 60k mile car, mine lasted 100k longer than that

clocked??
 
Matt82 said:
my post didnt post.

basically it sounds like immanent clutch failure. the clutch failing to disengauge is a class sign, which is odd for a 60k mile car, mine lasted 100k longer than that

clocked??
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A failing clutch wouldn't normally jam the car in gear; it might make it difficult to change if it's dragging, but I read the OP's problem as the gearbox was jammed in gear even with the engine not running.
 
Yup jammed with engine off, the recovery man said if it happens again I can rock the car to get it out as it required 2 of us when he did it earlier, mempulling back on gearstick and him mount the selector.

It's all been 100% fine for 5/6 weeks then it just jammed up on sat.
 
Matt82 said:
which is odd for a 60k mile car
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It really isnt, it might be a 60k mile car but its also 8 years old - years of driving around town every day hence the low mileage. In 10 miles of town driving I use my clutch more than when I drive 180 miles to the Midlands..

This is why low mileage on older cars is a waste of time and not worth paying the extra for.
 
Dogbreath said:
A failing clutch wouldn't normally jam the car in gear; it might make it difficult to change if it's dragging, but I read the OP's problem as the gearbox was jammed in gear even with the engine not running.
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jump into your car (engine off), select a gear, take off handbrake and let the car roll until it stops, then try and take it out of gear. it will get stuck
 
[TW]Fox;18567703 said:
It really isnt, it might be a 60k mile car but its also 8 years old - years of driving around town every day hence the low mileage. In 10 miles of town driving I use my clutch more than when I drive 180 miles to the Midlands..

This is why low mileage on older cars is a waste of time and not worth paying the extra for.
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i still think it was odd. the 1987 E mk2 golf i had on 196k miles, i had it at 21 years old, so average to low yearly mileage yet still on original clutch
 
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