Warranty issue. What would you do?

MBDevotee

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The warranty should have a clear list of what is and what is not covered.

Or it may simply have a list of exclusions....

A warranty is not "just a warranty" it is a very complex legal document that you need to understand just what the limitations are before you buy it.

Needless to say, most warranties specifically exclude glass and windows, but often include some electrics - so is this a glass issue or an electrics issue...?

Additionally, you have legal rights under the sale of goods act as amended by the sale and supply of goods act which states that:-

"goods must be of merchantable quality, fit for purpose and as described". The price paid is relevant to all of that - for example if you buy a 20 year old car for £100 the definition of "merchantable quality" and "fit for purpose" are different to if you paid £50k for a new one.

Essentially - read every word of the policy book, then decide if it's covered?
 
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Kylinski

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Er . . . um . . there was no policy booklet or document. Plaque on the office wall stating "one months parts and labour warranty". Probably sounds a bit shoddy but its a quite a large car forecourt.

Its a glass snd electricsl issue as the element is embeded in the glass.
 

whitenemesis

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I would check if the screen is getting power. If it is then check the connections. It may well be a simple break in the conductor edge.
Rear screen normally only "loose" one or two lines. If the whole thing doesn't work, it points to a supply issue?
 

Sue new MB owner!!

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Stand by your guns.... if you truly believe that it should be sorted out by them be persistant!!.... they will stall and try to put you off but be strong!! :)

Good luck :)
 

hawk20

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Are you bothered about it? My coupe rear window never ever worked and it never bothered me, i only use the side mirrors anyway (like most van drivers have to!).

If it's £1k for a new one and you aren't too bothered maybe they can give you £500 or £500 worth of something you do want doing (servicing, etc)?

Worth a try though knowing the dealers/companies it will probably be "computer says no" on such a common sense outcome.[/QUOT


Im not bothered as in 'its only a small cabin space and the heaters usually demist the rear screen quickly'.
I am bothered in that Im fanatical about everything working as it should and it should be working when I bought the car lol

Intresting though, my e mail to trading standards was returned saying I need to go through citizens advice first.

On looking through their help guide, it states " A trader does not have to replace or repair a fault if it costs too much"

WHAT A COP OUT!!!!

Perfectly fair IMO. If a dealer sells an 11 year old car and a fault develops which is worth a lot more than the market value of the car, it would hardly make sense for the law to force him to do the repair.
 

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Perfectly fair IMO. If a dealer sells an 11 year old car and a fault develops which is worth a lot more than the market value of the car, it would hardly make sense for the law to force him to do the repair.

Then it should have been stated that the window did not work, or the customer should have been told. The dealer should be more careful in what he buys and sells or he go into a different type of market.

The cost in this case is not more than the value of the car.
 

brandwooddixon

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I believe that the "warranty" here is the standard consumer rights protection regarding purchases from a dealer, rather than a proper after market warranty.

I believe that there is some leeway over what they must repair and what they can repair at their discretion.

Unfortunately, I fear that if this went to court then the ruling would be in favour of the dealer. The car is 11 years old, it cost £4200, they have already paid out for a PSE pump and the rear screen element doesn't effect the safety of the car nor does it render it unfit for purpose.

In any case if your car develops a major issue, even after the 1 month "warranty" period then they are liable.
 
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Kylinski

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I believe that the "warranty" here is the standard consumer rights protection regarding purchases from a dealer, rather than a proper after market warranty.

I believe that there is some leeway over what they must repair and what they can repair at their discretion.

Unfortunately, I fear that if this went to court then the ruling would be in favour of the dealer. The car is 11 years old, it cost £4200, they have already paid out for a PSE pump and the rear screen element doesn't effect the safety of the car nor does it render it unfit for purpose.

In any case if your car develops a major issue, even after the 1 month "warranty" period then they are liable.


In fairness the dealer did put a NEW PSE pump in at my insistance, though initially they sent it off to be repaired. No way was I prepared to wait for a second hand one to be fitted.
I would not however use their services again. Bad aftersales sevice with attitudes beyond belief!
 

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I believe that the "warranty" here is the standard consumer rights protection regarding purchases from a dealer, rather than a proper after market warranty.

I believe that there is some leeway over what they must repair and what they can repair at their discretion.

Unfortunately, I fear that if this went to court then the ruling would be in favour of the dealer. The car is 11 years old, it cost £4200, they have already paid out for a PSE pump and the rear screen element doesn't effect the safety of the car nor does it render it unfit for purpose.

In any case if your car develops a major issue, even after the 1 month "warranty" period then they are liable.

Yes and that would probably be the case, the dealer could have or should have pointed out that there were some defects in the car, then all would have been clear. If the customer was told it was all perfect and everything worked as it should, then another story
 
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Kylinski

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Yes and that would probably be the case, the dealer could have or should have pointed out that there were some defects in the car, then all would have been clear. If the customer was told it was all perfect and everything worked as it should, then another story

From past experiences, the dealer 'assumes' the buyer has checked the car over and is happy to proceed with purchase.
Ashamably, I dont press every button or switch, I just ensure the car drives as it should and looks ok. Something I will not rely on in future. I will research for common known faults and make sure everything works before I drive it away.
I think dealers dont check out vehicles minor probs knowing that some punters will return the vehicle (like me) and others are prepared to put up with things not working as they should.
 

Frontstep

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It does highlight the complex nature of the resulting Law in trying to be fair to both sides.
It has a window the dealer didn't check its function, perhaps he should have attempted to fix it.
Sometimes you have to go further than perhaps the Law requires to keep the customer happy even though the car is quite old.
Like most things in life it just needs two reasonable people.
 
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Kylinski

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It does highlight the complex nature of the resulting Law in trying to be fair to both sides.
It has a window the dealer didn't check its function, perhaps he should have attempted to fix it.
Sometimes you have to go further than perhaps the Law requires to keep the customer happy even though the car is quite old.
Like most things in life it just needs two reasonable people.


And 'keeping the customer happy' is what should be important me finks!
I would have been quite happy for this dealer, being local, to source and sell me a future R171, now I shall go elsewhere. Simples! :)
 


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