Issue with car (outside warranty)

Hi,

Bought a new car in 07 and warranty was up in Apil this year.
Problem has now arisen which garage says will cost in excess of €700 to fix. the problem is with the keyless entry system (that came with the new car).

Do my statutory rights apply here even though i'm outside warranty.....the rights say something along the lines that an item has to be durable and fit for purpose even if outside warranty period. I know this applies to electrical items etc, but cars?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

Usually in the third year of ownership, the manufacturer will meet you partway with goodwill, provided the Garage do too.

That might be an option but I was wondering how my statutory rights come into play here. Surely it's not unreasonable to expect a 2 and a half year old car to be working as it should and not failing on a daily basis.

Taken from www.ecic.ie
If something does go wrong with a car you have bought from a dealer, you are protected by consumer legislation. Under the Sale of Goods and Associated Guarantees Directive 99/44/EC a car must be of satisfactory quality, as described, and be fit for purpose normally used. This law will apply whether or not you have a guarantee/warranty. Contact the seller to seek a remedy.

Get a quote from other places, the dealerships are by far the most expensive. e.g. there was a 500 euro difference for me when I was getting quotes for changing the timeing belt on a Skoda between the dealership and a local garage. Granted the keyless entry system sounds like it needs specialist tools...

I would ask the Garage to approach the main distributor on your behalf, or write to them yourself, setting out the situation. Just outside warranty, I would expect 50% gesture, but that totally depends on the brand, some will be better CS skills than others. What would also stand to you is if you have have a history driving the same brand.

I would put something in writing, always gets a better response.

I don't think there is any recourse with your statutory rights, unless you have had a history with the same complaint?

If you ring the consumer rights folks in Dublin, (http://www.consumerconnect.ie/eng/) they will tell you that you have up to 6 years statutory rights in Ireland, depending on the value of goods as determined by the courts, irrespective of the manufacturers warrantees or guarantees. Call them and see what they say.
I would image a car would be at the maximum due to its value