[AJ651]

Hi,

I've had my new Guilietta for 7 days, its a 61 plate, only done 74 miles and the cam belt has snapped. the garage haven't assessed the damage yet. I really feel that I would like a new car rather than a repaired one as i've only had it for a week and paid for a brand new car - not a repaired one. Has anyone had this experience or got any thoughts about what is likely to be offered.

thanks
AJ

 

[ronan]

New car or a refund..nothing less !!!!!

 

[159Bob]

I had many problems with mine (all my other Alfas where great and so is my new one) my dealer Lookers where superb and did most of the chasing for me. Email or write to AR customer care stating that you reject the car, get your dealer to help you.

 

[GV27]

You only have to write to your dealer as he sold you the car. Make it clear you are rejecting the vehicle. I have done this once, several years ago. I wrote in advance to say when and why and the cheque was waiting for me. I had no problem whatsoever. Your case is clear, nailed on. Just make sure you put it in writing.

 

[davidjwbailey]

Definitely reject - cam belt failure will have caused problems throughout the vehicle

 

[PR]

I thought (and I may be wrong here) that you must give the dealer chance to fix any problems before you can reject?

 

[ronan]

Check this out : Buying a New Car: Your Rights - Consumer Rights Expert

 

[David P]

I thought (and I may be wrong here) that you must give the dealer chance to fix any problems before you can reject?

I believe you are correct & it's not just one chance either but a reasonable chance ( I think three is what is considered reasonable ) to fix a specific problem/issue before considering going down the rejection route.

Of course there are exceptions & a co-operative Dealer is also helpful.

 

[GV27]

I believe you are correct & it's not just one chance either but a reasonable chance ( I think three is what is considered reasonable ) to fix a specific problem/issue before considering going down the rejection route.

Of course there are exceptions & a co-operative Dealer is also helpful.

An item must be fit for purpose.
This isnt a squeeky seat, its the heart of your purchase.
£20k and broken?
Reject it.

 

[Keithy]

There is a template rejection letter actually on a BBC website

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/txt/new_car_letter.rtf

If it is brand new and suffered such a severe failure I believe you can (and should) reject the car. The three strikes rule relates more to second hand vehicles and "niggles".

Get shot right away, you will NEVER be happy with it.

 

[eded]

Sorry for being a bit off-topic, but isn't the 1.4 equipped with cam chain rather than belt?

 

[AJ651]

Thank you - broken cam belt advice on brand new car

Thank you everyone for your advice - it has given me the confidence to move forward. I'll let you know how I go. Maybe it will be straight forward - fingers crossed.
Although just called the dealer and there's no-one available to discuss it at the moment (I'll give them the benefit this time).

I'll prepare the template rejection letter (excellent... thank you)... sometime feel being a girl means you don't get the same service with cars, so forewarned is great.

In terms of the cam belt, I was told that the 'problem with the cam belt' had now been sorted out in the new cars... obvioulsy not. all I can say about it being a chain... it is still made of some kind of material, but it does have grooves - a bit like caterpillar tracks.

thank you and I'm sure it will be straight forward (fingers crossed)

Angie

 

[AJ651]

First contact with dealer - not good

Hi,

The first contact with the dealer has not been good - firstly the salesman who was going to call me today doesn't work on Mondays.

the person who did phone me has tried to fob me off saying if I want to reject the car I have to go to the manufacturer... correct me if I'm wrong but don't they have to sort it out as part of the consumer act.

Not got a good feeling about this one... any advice is appreciated.

Angie

 

[159Bob]

the contract is with the dealer and NOT Alfa, arrange a meeting with he service manager, Lookers helped me all the way and infact apart from sending the email to ARUK and speaking to Alfa on two occasions that was it, they are trying to bury there head in the sand

 

[In_The_Pass]

Rather like that thread with the rejected MiTo, it sounds like the dealer is intent on making their problem the customers and doing all they can to side step the issue.

 

[ronan]

I hope this isn't gonna be another dodgy dealer story.:rant:

Why don't they just accept responsibility and do the right thing ?

What are they gonna lose...apart from some very bad PR if they don't sort it out ?

It beggars belief !!!!

 

[In_The_Pass]

'Hello Alfa dealer, why exactly are you making your problem mine?'

I am starting to wonder if they all need a go on the Moatie taser to sort themselves out.

 

[159Bob]

a few months ago Autoexpress had a very good article about rejecting cars, i think it was either May or June isue??

 

[MongrelMike]

This happened to a friend of mine with a brand new VW Golf. He had a brand new replacement engine fitted and is still driving the same car 8 years later having covered many many miles without issue.

Angie - seems a bit early to be talking about rejecting the car before letting your dealer come back with their proposed solution?

 

[philbean]

Angie - seems a bit early to be talking about rejecting the car before letting your dealer come back with their proposed solution?

Disagree.

If you bought a kettle and it broke after 7 days you'd expect a refund or replacement.. not a repair.
If you pay £20K on a brand new car you expect the same level of service or better.