General My GP Used Car Nightmare, advice needed

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General My GP Used Car Nightmare, advice needed

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Sep 12, 2014
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This is a long story, sorry about this. Would love some opinions on this, not a car buff so no idea what to do. Do i let them fix, or try to take action. I've owned it for just over 4 weeks.

I was looking for a car, found a 1.4 Active Sport, 56 plate, 77k miles. £2600. Lovely car to look at. I check everything I was told, not being a big car buff, everything looks fine. I ask about the history, told it's all good. Ask about a service history, don't see one but he says it's all good (I shouldn't have accepted this). Ask if it will have a full service, told yes. Not allowed to test drive it myself apparently, due to my age??? (18) Sit in the car while he drives, seems good. It will undergo an MOT before I buy.

I return, pay the rest of the car, drive home. On the way home, something in the window breaks. It won't roll up. It makes a crunching noise. Return it and he opens the door panel, says the cable has snapped, wedges it shut with a piece of wood for me to return to in a few days. Spent 4 days ish in the garage. Within the next couple of days, airbag warning light came on and message. One headlight wasn't working, heaters stopped working, the brakes started creaking/thumping, relevant to speed and a high pitched squeeling on a cold start. Also when turning on, temp gauge would shoot up then go back down, and sometimes would not turn on at all.

I take it back to the garage, the window is fixed, lights all working, new fan belt apparently, heaters were fixed, brake noise and air bag warning still preset. Over next couple of weeks, lights going often and working again. Brake lights, tail lights, number plate lights. All very dodgy.

I was referred to an auto electrician regarding the air bag light. I take it there and after a few hours he tells me that one of the air bags (passenger side) is not connected, he says this is very unusual. When I take it back to him he will be replacing some of the wiring.

Since I had it there has been a small patch of oil on the road, which was presumed to be from my neighbours banger. When it rained we saw a big slick coming from my car. I return to the dealer, they send me to their "sister" garage. They look at the brakes, fix the noise and also inform me I have a cracked sump. 120 quote to repair, not covered in warranty like everything else, due to this being my fault (remember this). They put bitumen on it, say it should be repaired urgently. I go home to get some quotes. Book it in to that garage for saturday.

Since taking it back, the brake noise has returned, weight sensor in passenger seat is faulty, heaters packed in again (resistor I believe), boot light doesn't work.

The car passed an MOT in the sister garage with no advisories. I did an MOT check online. Has a bad history of MOT's, 2 fails due to wrong tires, parking brake issue, wipers being poor, many lights not working, this "Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)" no idea what it means. These are back in 2010 and before. Since then, a lot of advisories, regarding brake pads, corroded coils, rear brake cable has wires broken. In 2012, an oil leak was reported, same in 2013. In 2013 a corroded sump was reported!! So it must have already been there?

It's current MOT done by the sister garage has no advisories, surely it can't have a faulty airbag, so many light problems, brake issues, corroded sump, corroded springs (definitely not new ones), and not have a single advisory? Could the MOT be fake, just made to sell the car?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, I'm not happy with the car, so many things going wrong and I don't feel safe in it. I need it as much as I can due to work and college. Sorry for it being so long.
 
Call citizens advice.
Also find out if the garage subscribe to the motor industry code of conduct.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/general-advice/motor-industry-code-of-practice.html

And be quick, as your statuary warranty has just about expired, unless they gave you an extended one.

I was told I have a 3 month mechanical warranty. I'm seeking some advice from a university lecturer I know in commercial law, hopefully he can help. I'm taking it to a local garage tomorrow to get it evaulated independently, ie if the sump is corroded or cracked, new or old etc
 
First thing I'd do, is highlight any issues you had when you bought it that haven't been resolved, ie airbag light, rear lights etc.
If you brought these to their attention and they haven't resolved it, then they should.
Just keep taking it back, complaining it's not fixed.

Regarding the leaking sump, show them the previous MOT certificate advisories, and explain that this fault must have been on the car when you bought it.
Again, they have a duty to resolve this, if you brought it to their attention early enough.
I'd suggest that it's not classed as a mechanical fault, but if you can prove it was there when you bought it, then id say you have a case to argue.

Do you have legal advice on your car insurance. ?
You may find that these guys will assist you.
 
Just got off the phone with CAB and VOSA, I will take it to them and ask them to repair it, if they refuse, contact them in writing. I've printed off all the previous MOT's, which isn't a fun read. The CAB gave me a lot of help, thank you for recommending them. I do have legal advice, I will ring them later.

I believe the heaters packed in again due to the resistor left hanging out, and not screwed back in after the repair, could this overheat as it's not in the air vent?
 
SteveKeith said:
I believe the heaters packed in again due to the resistor left hanging out, and not screwed back in after the repair, could this overheat as it's not in the air vent?


the resistor gets very hot and sits in the flow of the air fan to keep it cool if as you say it's not put back properly it will burn out very quickly!

Look at the wiring to the resistor it easily become damaged by heat which may also explain why it keeps failing

Some of the mot issues are probably things that have been fixed in the past so don't be too hard on the car brakes do squeal it's not the end of the world and the temp gauge going to the top and down again is a common fiat gremlin which isn't a problem but it does sound like there are still a lot of issues and given you paid top prove for the car you have a right to expect it to be perfect.

Some of the issues I wouldn't expect to see on a 77k mile car, does the mileage all add up on the MOTs and does the interior look overly worn ?
 
the resistor gets very hot and sits in the flow of the air fan to keep it cool if as you say it's not put back properly it will burn out very quickly!

Look at the wiring to the resistor it easily become damaged by heat which may also explain why it keeps failing

Some of the mot issues are probably things that have been fixed in the past so don't be too hard on the car brakes do squeal it's not the end of the world and the temp gauge going to the top and down again is a common fiat gremlin which isn't a problem but it does sound like there are still a lot of issues and given you paid top prove for the car you have a right to expect it to be perfect.

Some of the issues I wouldn't expect to see on a 77k mile car, does the mileage all add up on the MOTs and does the interior look overly worn ?

The interior is very good, carpet is a bit worn but that's it, pedals, seats, all fine. Looking at the mot's the mileage all seems legit, doing from 7 to 15k each year. I understand that there will be issues, it's just the amount of them in the short time frame. The resistor and wiring doesn't really look burnt but sure does smell like it. I'm taking it to an auto electrician today to look at the airbag, heaters and seat sensor.
 
The interior is very good, carpet is a bit worn but that's it, pedals, seats, all fine. Looking at the mot's the mileage all seems legit, doing from 7 to 15k each year. I understand that there will be issues, it's just the amount of them in the short time frame. The resistor and wiring doesn't really look burnt but sure does smell like it. I'm taking it to an auto electrician today to look at the airbag, heaters and seat sensor.



TBH it sounds like a straight used car.. not necessarily Neglected - or cherished.
however the garage sounds pretty clueless..


glad you're getting somewhere ..!!,
Charlie
 
TBH it sounds like a straight used car.. not necessarily Neglected - or cherished.
however the garage sounds pretty clueless..


glad you're getting somewhere ..!!,
Charlie

I'd agree with you there. I feel that they may have temporarily patched the sump, sold it to me, then claim it was my fault. If this independent evaluation says it is corroded and not impact caused, I will refuse to pay for it
 
Wow, I'm about to buy a 1.4 Active Sport and this has scared the living daylight out of me. I don't know what to do now, any other 1.4 Active Sport owners out there had as many faults as OP in a short amount of time? Should I just got for a Corsa D instead? Hmm..
 
I've got a 1.4 active sport, which really hasn't had any proper care over the years apart from servicing, as a result it's had a number of issues such as the heater wiring but this is pretty common on all cars that use this set up not just fiat.

I certainly wouldn't buy a Corsa over a Punto, especially as they are essentially the same car under the skin.
 
Wow, I'm about to buy a 1.4 Active Sport and this has scared the living daylight out of me. I don't know what to do now, any other 1.4 Active Sport owners out there had as many faults as OP in a short amount of time? Should I just got for a Corsa D instead? Hmm..

Check for and read the service history thoroughly and check MOT certificates for advisories.
 
Check for and read the service history thoroughly and check MOT certificates for advisories.

Are there any common problems I should look out for? And maybe any major flaws that makes the car unusable? It will be my first car so I don't want to be in the garage alot :/
 
Are there any common problems I should look out for? And maybe any major flaws that makes the car unusable? It will be my first car so I don't want to be in the garage alot :/

I asked what to look out for when buying an older (2003-2005 kind of age) Punto a few years ago on here, the kind of advice I got was:


  • Check the clutch (the pedal should be silent, free of clicks, squeaks and stiff spots)
  • Check gears
  • Signs of accident rebuilds
  • Tyre wear, should be even across the tyre
  • check all lights and electrical things are working (fan, heater, aircon if it has it etc)
  • check oil level and quality, if its well serviced the oil should be quite clear, not black and tar like.
  • check the power steering - turn the wheel full lock from left to right.
  • Check the coolant level
  • Check the carpets and make sure they aren't damp. If you can try and look underneath the carpets.
  • Check the seats for excessive wear, especially if the mileage appears low.
  • Check the wipers at all speed settings.
  • Particularly the 16v engines (interference I think), check the cambelt, water pump and tensioners has been done in the last year or two. May be described as cam belt kit on receipts. Should be done at least every 5 years / 60,000 miles I think.
  • Listen for knocks when turning the steering wheel, could be suspension components need attention.
I'm no expert so not sure how accurate the above is, I'm sure others will clarify.

Don't be put off, just do the necessary checks that you should do with any second hand car.
 
I asked what to look out for when buying an older (2003-2005 kind of age) Punto a few years ago on here, the kind of advice I got was:


  • Check the clutch (the pedal should be silent, free of clicks, squeaks and stiff spots)
  • Check gears
  • Signs of accident rebuilds
  • Tyre wear, should be even across the tyre
  • check all lights and electrical things are working (fan, heater, aircon if it has it etc)
  • check oil level and quality, if its well serviced the oil should be quite clear, not black and tar like.
  • check the power steering - turn the wheel full lock from left to right.
  • Check the coolant level
  • Check the carpets and make sure they aren't damp. If you can try and look underneath the carpets.
  • Check the seats for excessive wear, especially if the mileage appears low.
  • Check the wipers at all speed settings.
  • Particularly the 16v engines (interference I think), check the cambelt, water pump and tensioners has been done in the last year or two. May be described as cam belt kit on receipts. Should be done at least every 5 years / 60,000 miles I think.
  • Listen for knocks when turning the steering wheel, could be suspension components need attention.
I'm no expert so not sure how accurate the above is, I'm sure others will clarify.

Don't be put off, just do the necessary checks that you should do with any second hand car.

Thanks, that's great advice, is that for Fiats or just cars in general?
I'll definitely give the car these checks when I go to buy it, thanks!
 
Good luck with yours man! Mine has had the sump replaced free of charge, and is now running pretty swimmingly. The brakes do still make noise and will need new ones in a month or so, but apart from that, all is good. Apart from a couple of things, most of my problems were caused by shoddy worksmanship or not looking after her. I'm sure yours wont be like this
 
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