Evans Halshaw, Warrenty?

[JoeF1]

Hey guys.

Just a quick one, bought a used Astra from Evans Halshaw on Finance just under 3 months ago now and i have just noticed when i put the clutch in there is quite a loud tapping noise.

When i test drove the car i did complain how stiff i found the gearbox and asked numerous times for them to have it checked before i picked it up. They said nothing was wrong, cut to the present the gearbox is as i would expect a whole lost 'looser' but there is this noise.

What i'm asking is can this be fixed under warrenty? I am trying to get in touch with someone about this and they say they will call back but you know, they just aren't.

Thanks guys.

 

[JoeF1]

Good luck! I struggled...a lot with them.

Know how you feel, soon as i told them i wanted a third party finance company involved they turned very poor. Would never recommend this place, worst experience buying something ever.

It should be fixed free of charge under the Sale of Goods Act. If a fault develops within the first 6 months of your ownership, it's their duty to prove that the fault did not exist when you bought the car - not yours.

This is backed up by the stiff clutch pedal so I'd say you're on firm ground here.

Presumably the clutch bearing/plate has been worn out by the description of the issue?

Just gone down because they failed to call me again this morning and the earliest time they can even look at it is next Monday. Just worried the clutch could fully go. People are saying it could be the thrust bearing or something.

Thanks.

 

[JoeF1]

It is almost certainly the release bearing, I'm also almost certain they will say its wear and tear. If they refuse to fix it you can try SOGA but I expect you will have a tough time as there is no way of proving how you have driven it over these last few months and a clutch is a serviceable part (unless you have it in writing about the gearshift issue at when it was bought?)

Probably better off making yourself a nuisance and threatten bad publicity if they dig their heels in.

Argh, this is how i thought it would go. Have been given advice to pay for it if they do say its wear and tear then take them to the small claims? This is of course if they will categorically refuse to do this under Warrenty. No writing at all. I had a tough time actually picking the car up, i didn't even think to do this

 

[JoeF1]

Hi guys, thought it would wack a little update on how i am getting on with this.

So i went to Evans yesterday booked in for 1PM. They couldn't find my booking at first although it seemed to re-appear 10 mins later when i showed them the email from them. 50mins later the mechanic took the car to which i thought he was just going to listen to the tapping noise this must have been a long look because i didn't hear back until quarter past three.

It turns out they 'suspect' its the flywheel. Although this mechanic insisted i have to book it in for them to take the whole gearbox out just to 100% confirm it is this. This kind of confused me somewhat because he wanted the car for 6 hours @ £75.00/ph just to clarify its the flywheel. This when went into the whole warranty argument from the advice in this thread.

I then brought up that i specifically told the sales rep that i would not buy the car unless he had someone look at the stupidly stiff gear box for me. Unexpectedly he admitted that i did ask although he then dropped the laughable news that he just asked a mechanic to take a peek without raising a job card for proof and the mechanic just 'drove it around the block' and said everything was fine. Going in circles i was getting abit annoyed if im honest because he just wouldn't move and finishing the line with i won't help you because you didnt buy more warrenty i asked to speak to someone higher just so i could ask the same questions really. Apparently his manager was on holiday although he was conversing with a guy outside while he made me wait in his office. Obviously discussing what to do with me. I asked to speak to him, yet he wouldn't come in the office. Although he heard him say ' what does he expect he's over his 1 months warrenty'.

I understand that i'm over my warrenty although i believe that the issue was there before i bought the car although hidden with the gearbox stiffness problem. I have no idea about cars so i don't know if the two are related. Anyway long story short the service dept manager which was on holiday should be calling me today although i expect no help at all. They kind of made me feel stupid whist asking about the 6 months SOGA saying that doesn't count for much.

I asked to look at my car history which they do when they had the car. I noticed that they added new brakes and front shocks which if fair enough, and then i noticed that they did a full service open getting the car ready for me. Although my inspection light is on... Don't want to jump the gun but i am starting to doubt they even serviced the car. They wouldn't forget to cancel off the inspection light right?

Sorry for the essay. What would you guys do now?

Thanks

 

[JoeF1]

Thanks guys i will write the letter tonight!

They promised to ring me at 12pm and its 30mins over so i have no faith in them actually contacting me today.

Sucks that i wanted to settle this reasonably and i have to write letters which in my mind should be a simple open and shut repair.

 

[JoeF1]

Just wrote the letter thank you Chanjy as this post made the process a lot easier.

I'd start with a letter...

 

[JoeF1]

Update:

So i sent a 3 page letter yesterday via email to Pendragon group and the dealership themselves. Within a hour Pendragon replied saying that it will be escalted to the top level and today Evans Halshaw's rang me today for me to talk through whats happened because 'its easier than to read through a letter'... Anyway went through it all again. He asked me what he would like me to do... Which i thought must have been a trick question due to the obvious nature of my letter.

Anyway he did quote the 1 month warrenty although agree'd to have the car booked in and for the gearbox to be removed to identify the fault free of charge with courtesy car while its in. Only problem the earliest slot they have for me is 2 weeks on Friday so a long 'tappy' wait. I suppose its progress although i am now worried they will conveniently identify something that is a 'new' problem just so they don't have to replace. I did remind him that i offered to pay half on Monday when i went in and this could have all been sorted on the Friday its booked in to which i withdrew the offer because of how awful they have treated me.

Also mentioned the service being on the booking out list which he asked me to describe the piece of paper i saw. This threw me a little like he thought i was trying to get a free service or something. He told me the car shouldn't of had a service before it left. This is where im struggling to believe anything they say as i was told the car is serviced with vauxhalls compulsory inspection which they do to every car. Albeit this confirms the car was not serviced and he will re-check the sheet which he thinks i misread. (Which i didn't).

Thanks for your advice guys.