Hi all,
I am looking for help.
In May I seen a car advertised on the internet, contacted the garage to ask them questions and was told the car was perfect apart from some laquor peeling off the front bumper. I called 2/3 time confirming this as the car was a 3.5 hour train ride away from where I live.
Upon arriving I noticed more dings and other little issues including squeeking from the front end and was told this was because the ash cloud had caused the joints to dry so needed a little oil, but overall the car seemed fine. I was sold it with 2 weeks tax and MOT until Dec 2010.
I got 15 mins down the road and the ABS light came on and wouldnt go off so I called the garage and was told to keep going home and have it looked at and they would sort it, I also noticed a Airbag light was on but thought it was on due to the passanger side being switched off but turned out it was the main airbag light which meant the whole system was deactivated. Upon arriving back home the power steering went. Again I was told to get call out assistance and if there was anything wring they would sort it - turned out to be the AUX belt.
To try and keep it short for, knocking started in the front along with the squeeking within a few days. I spoke with one of the owners and he was really good but then told me the car was sold as 'unroadworthy' and this was on the sales invoice, which I did not notice and it could have even been covered and was never pointed out to me as I was told the car was perfect, and from previous posts I should have not been allowed to drive it home (150 miles away!). Oh and when closing the bonnet it wouldnt lock as the latch was broken. The sales guy said he would get that fixed, to which another person came over with tools and closed the bonnet, but when I got home I noticed he simply closed the bonnet and not fixed the latch. The owner offered me either the money to cover the work (as I managed to sort the airbag issue out without cost!), return the car for a refund or exchange. I decided to go for the repair but was still waiting for the money weeks later and 2/3 calls each day.
I then spoke with a manager who said I was never offered that and it became a little heated and I did blow my lid to be honest. He said the calls are recorded and said he was going to call the police and trading standards and put the phone down.
I tried calling back but they would not listed and kept putting the phone down. I then noticed a mobile number on their website so called that and I was passed to the manager who pretended to be the owner. It was only when I confronted him with this that he said he is the manager, he had called the police and TS, stop wasting their time and put the phone down. I emailed them through their website to advise I would give them until the end of the day (Sat) before I take matter further - No contact!
I have managed to get the posting from auto trader (below):
ALFA ROMEO 156 1.9 JTD TURISMO 5DR"1 OWNER 69K ONLY", 5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 2003 53 Reg , 69,689 miles, Metallic Grey, MOT-12-2010, 1 Owner. Alloy wheels, CD, Child seats, Central locking, Cruise control, Cloth upholstery, Electric windows, Locking wheel nuts, Rear wiper, Metallic Paint, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Full size spare wheel, Headlight washers, Front head restraints, Remote central locking, Rear electric windows, Front fog lights, Drivers airbag, Alarm, Rear headrests, Passenger airbag, Metallic paintwork, Folding rear seats, Heated seats, Lumbar support, Navigation system, Pearlescent paint, Roof rails, Self levelling suspension, Sports seats, Sunroof, Air conditioning, Anti theft system, ABS, Climate Control, Colour coding - Body, Colour coding - Interior, Computer, Driver airbag, Adjustable seats, Electric mirrors, Foglights, Full Service History, Immobiliser, Radio, Remote locking, Remote locking with key card, Solid Paint, Body coloured bumpers, Head restraints. Insurance Group:13, A BARGAIN NOT TO BE MISSED, £2,795
The car does not have SAT NAV, heated Seats, rear electric windows, cruise control, headlight washers, sunroof, key card. It also states it hase pearlescent, matallic and solid paint.
Do I have a case to go with in regards to SOGA as it is within a 6 month period based upon the mis-selling on advert and phone calls and un-roadworthy condition? I would be happy for just a refund.