I rang Fiat and asked to test drive Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic Sound 5dr Dualogic Hatchback. Went to see and drive car but decided the Dualogic was too expensive and wanted the manual version of the Sound. Dealer played on the fact that the car came with a CD player, which I have now found out is standard (on the order form I am being charged extra for it).
Signed contract, paid £100 deposit and started to leave.

As I was leaving notice that the roofbars that were part of the Sound package were missing. I asked about this and was told that I had signed for the base Dynamic model and not the Dynamic Sound.

Next day, rang dealer back to ask to upgrade to the Sound package and we'd pay more. Was told they couldn't get any. Asked to upgrade to the Skydome or Aircon Package (sunroof or aircon instead of upgraded stereo). Was told they couldn't get any. Asked to add roofbars, was told not possible.
Rang Fiat direct and enquired. Was told Dynamic Sound was unavailable but the Dynamic Skydome and Aircon was available and to go back to the dealer.
30 mins later dealer rings me and says roofbars can be fitted at a charge of £400 (retail was £150). Provisonally agreed to this, but haven't signed anything since the original contract Tuesday.

To be honest, I would rather just cancel now as I'm not getting the car I want and I'm having to pay over the odds for it.

Am I legally allowed to cancel? And if I can, will I lose more than just the £100 deposit? Or am I better off with just keeping the car I've signed for?
If it makes any difference (and I realise that it probably doesn't) the dealer has not signed the order form that I've got here.

7 days to cancel a credit agreement i think...should say on the back in the "small print" if unsure citizens advice or look here

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/debt/credit.htm#Cancellingacreditagreement

we orginally ordered our panda from desira, with a very pushy salesman, once we got home and realised it wasnt that good a deal, and found a better one at thames, we called him to cancel, he refused, and reduced mrs t to tears on the phone, she calls me at work, i fax the salesman and again he refuses to cancel, so i bypassed him and went straight to the chairman of the company, his p.a. sorted it inside 1 day, full cancellation and apology.

moral: if you don't want it, don't have it, stay calm and find the person who can do the job!

Totally agree with Turboned. If the Salesman is aggressive I would suggest getting Citizen's Advice involved now, may calm him down if he knows they are monitoring the case. Also a threat of Trading Standards, or reporting him to the overseers of his credit licence may buck him up. Good luck, remember it may be hard now but it's a darn sight easier than driving your "mistake" for a couple of years!

The sad thing about the situation is that I loved the car, but now it comes down to the principal of the matter. Plus, if I do get a Fiat from somewhere else (if I can cancel the contract) then they are the closest dealer for services. I think the next is something like an hour or more away.

Anyway, spoke to trading standards and they just said I should have read the contract before I signed, which is obvious. Just waiting to hear back from CAB now.

14 day cool of period on any contract even better if you pay by credit card let them sort it out dispute the payment report it to there legal team and all will be well!!

p.s. anone watch wistle blower last night about cars sales men.......

Just cancelled the car, only lost the £100 deposit, but I'm just glad its over. I'll probably still get the Panda, just got to find one cheap enough now!

I would try an get your £100 back as the info he gave you was wrong so the contract is void. It would be even more the case if he charged £100 for CD player which was standard.

Ring customer service and complain very strongly, tell them you still want a Panda but not from that dealer and you want your £100 back.

if you don't ask...you don't get! use the force luke!