General Lemon Law

[ursabear]

Isn't it abou time that the UK had a lemon law similar to USA. I would have thought it would make manufacturers look clser at technical issues and treat customers as customers and not cash cows.

My Stilo MW would have been returned long ago under lemon laws. I have owned it for 3.5 years and the list offaults is endless...but here goes>>>

Rear Airbag failure warning....day 3 - year 3
Broken zip on rear seat cover yr1
Total loss of power when pulling away...car stalls..yr 1
Front n/s wheel bearing yr2
Rear n/s wheel bearing yr2
Rear tailgate struts failed yr2
Climate Control.one side blowing max temp..other side blowing min temp....control set to min (mono).
Reversing light sensor failed yr2
Passenger seat belt stalk/release mechanism failure yr2
Excessive tyre wear....6months to present....8 sets of tyres in 3 years
Rear opening tailgate glass slipped from mountings yr 2
Rear opening split glass locking mechanism failure...yr 3
Front n/s suspension coil failure yr 3
Front o/s suspension coil failure yr4
Lack of power when cold...full power once temp reaches normal operating temp. yr3-4
Conect+ Sat Nav makes random screeching noise day 1-present.
Rear tailgate handle replaced twice due to corrosion.
Car would not start, engine turning over but not firing, only cured by disconnecting battery for 30 mins to reset ecu. yr3
Rear high level brake lights failed....no warning on fault panel yr3
Diesel pouring out onto filling station forecourt....dealer induced fault not refitted pipes to fuel pump correctly after flushing system whilst investigating loss of power when pulling away.

This is by no means the exhaustive list, but bear in mind this was a dealer demonstrator vehicle........I purchased when 6 months old with 3700 miles on clock.....it's now just over 4 years old with 98100 miles on it, when it's working it's a great car, but first 3 years of ownership thought I'd bought a Punto and was being given a Stilo MW loan car it spent so long in the dealers.

Under US lemon laws I would have been entitled to a replacement vehicle and compensation, under UK laws....I get b****r all.

Think I'll buy a Skoda next time I spend my hard earned cash.

Ian

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2003 52 Plate Stilo Multiwagon 1.9 JTD 115 Dynamic, with skyroof Connect+ SatNav, electric seats, heated seats, split opening tailgate, Xenon Gas Headlights, Sliding Rear Seats, Leather Steering Wheel with remote controls for Audio system, Cruise Control, Stability and Traction Control, Factory Alarm. Only thing missing was Leather trim and parking sensors!!!!

 

[OzMoSiS]

mabe thats why most american manufacturers are in some ridiculous amount for debts and heading for bankruptcy

 

[ursabear]

Thanks for that ozmosis, but at least the US consumer does have some rights.....

 

[OzMoSiS]

fair play, but every country has its own issues/pecuilarities. i mean we have one of the highest custom duties on cars in europe, yet we live with it and not really moan. the sheer volume of car sales in the states allows manufacturers and dealers a lot of leeway regarding warranties and repairs, i.e their profit margins are a lot different, plus the fact that they make their cars from recycled 'trash' cans makes the whole idea a lot cheaper

but in answer to your question, yes, we are robbed of some consumer rights

 

[ursabear]

I agree with you there oz, but it is annoying when you've shelled out the best part of £14K for a car and had all the hassle I've had...... I could cope with the hassle if I'd only spent £3-4K.

 

[PNL]

As far as I am concerned we as consumers don't complain enough ..and not just about cars either ..council tax water rates etc etc all going up ..if the public said sod you lot we ain't paying it what could they do about it couldn't take us all to court could they ..and they may sit up and listen when a councillor or MP of who so ever is threatened they my be loosing their cushy little job you watch the buggers cover their arses then :bang:

RANT OVER

 

[ursabear]

I couldn't agree more PNL, we Brits just take everything thrown at us without complaint....when was the last time you complained about poor service in a restaurant, or anywhere else......we just don't do it enough (or complain about things)

 

[PNL]

I couldn't agree more PNL, we Brits just take everything thrown at us without complaint....when was the last time you complained about poor service in a restaurant, or anywhere else......we just don't do it enough (or complain about things)

:yeahthat: indeed ..time for the worm to turn :slayer:

 

[ursabear]

I complained in a restaurant, received the meal for free and a voucher for another free meal for the 4 of us......sometimes it does pay to moan!!!! Hopefully this tactic will work with FIAT and my broken suspension coils.....though somehow I doubt it will.

 

[PNL]

I complained in a restaurant, received the meal for free and a voucher for another free meal for the 4 of us......sometimes it does pay to moan!!!! Hopefully this tactic will work with FIAT and my broken suspension coils.....though somehow I doubt it will.

On that one I think its all been said before .. see how long you can hold your breath for

 

[twincamms]

Rip off Britain!

We get short changed, ripped off, and our consumer rights aren't worth the paper they are written on, and all we do as a society is moan, we bend over and take it up the bum.

Bring back the Poll Tax riots!

 

[PNL]

Rip off Britain!

We get short changed, ripped off, and our consumer rights aren't worth the paper they are written on, and all we do as a society is moan, we bend over and take it up the bum.

Bring back the Poll Tax riots!

And you have a fixation with peoples bums :chin: going looking for that spare mesh I got some where

 

[twincamms]

You're going to need a bigger mesh................................

 

[PNL]

Which reminds me I need to sharpen my hedge cutters :devil:

 

[kev1]

now now settle down. we are british and therefore are above such uncivilised behaviour as complaining.


we will store up all our fustrations until we get home and beat the manservant and then fight those pesky jerries again.

 

[Rich]

Conect+ Sat Nav makes random screeching noise day 1-present.
- What software version are you running?

Rear high level brake lights failed....no warning on fault panel yr3
- Thats because it is not checked - it is controlled directly from the brake switch.

Let us know about the Connect Nav+.

 

[ursabear]

Connect + SatNav v8.5

Unfortunately not been on here long enough or had enough quality post to qualify for ftp download

 

[Rich]

You don't need to wait for access to the ftp site for the update . . . read the guide on this page.

You only need ftp access for map data & the setup disc.

 

[ursabear]

Cheers for pointing me in the right direction Rich, done the download, will do the update tomorrow at work....not a lot else to do

BTW thanks for the tip about high level brake lights, I did pick up on that from another post. i've already got loads of useful info from Forum, and only been a member since last friday.

 

[Rich]

Thats what we're here for . . . anymore faults you want help solving?

Before you do the update, PLEASE read the whole guide through so it doesn't bu*ger up your unit!