Used van problems - repair or return?

[Edward146]

Hi all,
So I bought my t6 last month, from a dealer in Essex.
On the way home the coolant light came on. Topped it up and it happened again a week later.
I’ve just had a Vw specialist look at it and this is his diagnosis
“Removed front EGR connecting pipe and visually inspected with endoscope, EGR cooler heat exchanger showing signs of coolant loss internally. Advise replacement EGR cooler and associated parts. Removed intake pipe from charge air cooler and visually inspected via endoscope, also found signs of coolant in charge air cooler. Advise replacement charge air cooler and associated parts.”
He says I could be looking at a bill of around £3,000 (haven’t had the written quote yet)

I spoke to the dealer and he is basically saying I’m trying in on and it left him in perfect condition.

My questions are
1. Do I just accept we bought it from a dodgy salesman and move on?
2. Is £3,000 about right to repair with genuine Vw parts?

 

[Bav]

No idea about the cost, but deffo don't just accept it. If the fault(s) existed at point of sale, then the dealer is liable to fix or refund (subject to a deduction for mileage).

The law is so heavily weighted in the consumer's favour that the dealer practically has to prove the faults weren't present at point of sale, which, with those faults, in that time frame, is virtually impossible (especially given the coolant light lit up on the way home ffs!!!).

Stand your ground, quote the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and demand full fix at their cost or for the deal to be undone.

EDIT: Be aware that the dealer gets just 1 attempt to fix - no more.

 

[Edward146]

Q

No idea about the cost, but deffo don't just accept it. If the fault(s) existed at point of sale, then the dealer is liable to fix or refund (subject to a deduction for mileage).

The law is so heavily weighted in the consumer's favour that the dealer practically has to prove the faults weren't present at point of sale, which, with those faults, in that time frame, is virtually impossible (especially given the coolant light lit up on the way home ffs!!!).

Stand your ground, quote the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and demand full fix at their cost or for the deal to be undone.

EDIT: Be aware that the dealer gets just 1 attempt to fix - no more.

Thanks for the response.
The problem I have is it is just by a few days outside of the 30 days.

 

[bubbadubba]

I'm not up on the law side of things but it has to be fit for purpose and as descibed surely and it wasn't when you bought it if the light came on on the way home!
I would talk to citizens advice and see what your rights are........don't back down.
Sounds like the dealer is trying it on not you.

 

[Bav]

Q

Thanks for the response.
The problem I have is it is just by a few days outside of the 30 days.

You have 6 months. In fact, you have longer, but your rights are severely diminished after 6 months.

 

[Edward146]

Thanks everyone, managed to get a bit of money back that will go towards the repairs needed.

 

[Bav]

Thanks everyone, managed to get a bit of money back that will go towards the repairs needed.

I'm guessing that payout won't cover the full cost of the repairs, in which case the dealer principal and the salesman must have been high-fiving each other when you agreed to that.

 

[T6Paul]

I'm guessing that payout won't cover the full cost of the repairs, in which case the dealer principal and the salesman must have been high-fiving each other when you agreed to that.

Agreed, worst case is a new engine and ancillaries at circa £12k

 

[Edward146]

Absolutely, I spent most of the day in correspondence trying to point out that losing coolant is a known issue that can cause serious damage, but he absolutely would not accept there was anything wrong with the van and the Vw specialist report was just trying to ‘upsell’ as he called it.
Thankfully the specialist (that I do trust) doesn’t think it’s a head gasket or worst. So booked in for EGR and charge air cooler. Until then it sits patently on the drive as he advised me not to drive it!

 

[Bav]

What the dealer thinks/feels/is willing to accept is not realty relevant - the law is (was) on your side and (subject to what you've posted here being accurate) the courts would have enforced in your favour. The dealer knows this and, had you stood your ground, they would have caved.

 

[Salty Spuds]

What the dealer thinks/feels/is willing to accept is not realty relevant - the law is (was) on your side and (subject to what you've posted here being accurate) the courts would have enforced in your favour. The dealer knows this and, had you stood your ground, they would have caved.

Exactly this^^^^^^ You get what you settle for. I'd have returned the van for a full refund, end of.