Hi guys, not scared off, just a bit wary as I've more or less been threatened by a dealer for daring to post facts (and only facts) about them selling us a very worn out 110 as a Used Approved vehicle. Full story here:
Hi All,
Can anyone lend us a hand?
We've had some rather nasty issues with our Defender - had it independently inspected/serviced and a load of issues came up.
Basically it had a new clutch at 40k miles - they (Riders, Truro - our local dealer - we bought it from Harwoods, Croydon and had it delivered) did this under warranty.
Then after the service we found out the driveshafts were shot as well as a load of other stuff (including a snapped wheel bolt flange) - one issue (two engine oil leaks) has been sorted under warranty, the rest aren't being covered.
Briefly, it's clear that Harwoods sold us a poor condition vehicle - they serviced it regularly (a roofer owned it) and brakes were replaced very early so were clearly aware of it's condition.
It's at Riders in Truro and they want a grand for the driveshafts and have changed their minds THREE times about the gearbox - firstly "we think it's nearly failed, and told us it needs replacing," then changed to "needs replacing soon" then told us it's actually completely fine.
We have been sold a vehicle that does NOT satisfy the used approved promise and the warranty is clearly worth nothing.
Harwoods are offering us a mere £456.79 towards the cost of the driveshafts - this IMO shows admission of "guilt" They will only pay this if we have it repaired at a main dealer. We got a barrage of unhelpful comments for "daring" to use an indy to inspect/service it yet one of the oil leaks should have been spotted when the main dealer, Riders replaced the clutch. They have also changed their minds about the gearbox twice so our faith in them has gone.
We will fight this one but any help appreciated including:
How long should a clutch last under normal wear?
How long should driveshafts last under normal wear (we've done 6k light miles in it - we bought it as 37k)?
There are a string of other more minor issues too, mostly roof related - they took off a roof rack when they sold it and replaced the roof lining - again showing it suffered heavy wear.
We want an independent inspection (RAC?) paid for by them so there's no self interest and all the work paid for OR a full refund as it's in breach of the Sale of Goods Act 1979.
We would consider them buying it back off us (they fed us info fine when they sold it - it clearly wasn't) then being offered a new one at an EXTREME discount.
Thanks everyone else.
After a few helpful replies I added:
I think they just hope we'll give up. The Dealer Principle of Harwoods (who ignored emails to the Sales Manager, etc and only replied when I cc'd in Harwoods Group Sales Director to an email) was unhelpful on the phone - the usual "it's normal on those vehicles" (the dodgy gearbox), it's wear and tear, etc.
The fact is, we've paid well North of £20k in cash for a car that comes with the Used Approved Promise (ahem) AND a full warranty. It's been sold to us well below standard then the warranty appears to be useless. IMO the only thing excluded from the warranty that's on the Ts and Cs is the corroded headlamp surrounds (many have been done anyway under warranty) and the other outrigger bit. The rest is from excessive, very heavy use previous to the sale to us.
We're looking at £420 for the driveshafts (and a new hub as the sheared drive bolt can't be drilled out) from an Indy, plus an extra £1200++ for the gearbox once it dies - which it will soon. Then add up the other bits and you're looking at well over £2k. From a main dealer? Probably double that. And it's already had two oil leaks sorted and a new clutch under warranty- a vehicle needing £5k++ of work after 6,000 light miles of being sold is NOT fit for purpose or of satisfactory quality (to quote the Sale of Good Act!).
We've told them we want a refund. It was advertised with 31k miles. When we paid the deposit it was actually near 37k miles We nearly pulled out but accepted a £250 discount. We have "offered" them to buy it back for £250 less than we paid for it seeing as they seem to value 6,000 extra miles at that price.
Really we want a different 110. If we could get a sensible exchange price (unlikely) on a new one, we'd consider it.
I then had some replies from rather irate fellow Defender users and then got this "threat" from the dealership in question by email:
Good Morning Mr *****,
I wish to confirm that we are aware of your postings on the defender 2 website.
Any inaccuracies of any details posted will be referred to our company solicitors.
Yours sincerely,
Patrick Lake
(dealer principal)
Interesting approach to "customer service..."