Motoring

[Vickzan]

Hello,
I wonder can somebody help.
My Italian friend bought a used car from a garage on the longmile road. It was not a big dealership, but the garage had about 100 cars on the forecourt. He checked it over with his friends and was happy to buy it. He paid cash for the car and received a reciept and 3 month waranty. When he got the car home the next day it started giving trouble, he took it back to the garage but they wouldnt even look at him. They fobbed him off saying he was imagining things. He decided to get an independent mechanic to look at it (after many arguments with the garage) to prove there was something serious wrong with the car. The head gasket is about to go and the car is not fit for the road. It will cost over €1000 to fix I think he paid €3,000 for the car. We have since found out the garage is not part of SIMI, but should the garage not be obliged to fix or replace the car as they gave a 3 month waranty?
What should he do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Padraigb]

They gave a warranty; the car is not fit for the road, therefore not fit for purpose. Yes, he has a valid claim.

The seller should repair or replace the car, or refund the money. Replacing a used car at that price level might not be a realistic option, but if the dealer offers a replacement and your friend wants to consider it, I am sure he will have a mechanic check it out.

Have your friend make his claim in writing, supported by a copy of the independent mechanic's report. Tell him it might take some time (I say that based on what you say about the way they have treated him so far).

The fact that the dealer is not a member of SIMI has no effect on anything.