Audi main dealer failed to pick up faulty aircon compressor. Bought the car, what now

[ntp]

Hi all, I need some urgent advice on how to deal with a problem with Walton AUDI main dealer.

A week ago I took an Audi A4 car for a multipoint check at Walton Audi. The reason was I wanted to buy the car and therefore make sure it was all checked up by a main dealer. They offered this Multipoint check and said that they would do it before they sell a car so I thought, well, this is safe. Paid a huge amount of money for an hour work and later on that day received a report. Mainly the report displayed only ticks and the issues found were only a headlight range control problem and some minor brake pads and disc below the minimum warning. Well I knew that aircon was not working either but didn’t mention it because I thought if it was a problem they would have found it. On the basis of this report I bought the car on the next day.

A couple of days later I took her down to KwikFit for a gas refill although it did seem strange that 3 year old car would need this done. KwikFit said the aircon compressor wasn't engaging so I had to have it fixed first.

Today I had an Aircon Direct specialist checking the car who found that the compressor needs to be replaced. He hasn't given me a quote just yet but mentioned that it would between £500 and £700. I was amazed. After paying so much money for a multipoint check by an audi main dealer I still got stung with a serious problem. I showed him the report and clearly the tick box for Air-conditioning Working was checked. He advised me to get back to Walton Audi and get it fixed by them since they have failed to pick this one up. He also mentioned that this issue must have happened quite some time ago.

Well, I will definitely pay them a visit on Monday but can you advise me on something that I should be prepared for in case they come up with some stupid excuses i.e. it broke later or the report is not legally binding? Shall I call Audi UK and discuss this with them. What are my legal chances to win this case? I still have the report with my receipt stapled to it.

Nik

 

[gjwell]

I would go back to the dealer with all the facts first, be firm but not all guns blazing. If they are a good dealer and want your business in the future I would imagine that they will fix the problem or offer a good discount e.g 50% +. If they are not helpful take it to Audi UK. Then finally trading standards and fight for a refund on the multi point check. I have bought two used cars from both Audi and VW and both had fundamental problems that were not picked up on a multipoint check. IMO i have never seen one carried out thoroughly L. You probably could have bought a warrantee from somewhere like Tesco for about £300 and you may have been covered. It hard luck mate but i’m sure you’ll get something sorted.

 

[ntp]

Thanks gjwell, you are quite right. I might benefit from a calm conversation with the dealer. Besides I will need a few things done on my car that might be of interest to the main dealer. The problem is the feeling that you have been done is hard to swallow.

 

[Scotty]

Errm ok so the dealer didn't pick it up but by your own admission you knew that it wasn't working and yet you still bought the car?

If they'd have said the A/Cs not working then that's what you already knew and hence you'd have still bought the car.

"Well I knew that aircon was not working either but didn’t mention it because I thought if it was a problem they would have found it. On the basis of this report I bought the car on the next day."

This just doesn't sound right. Why wouldn't you have said "can you check out the A/C?". Why hide it from them?

Ok - they cocked up but I personally think you've stitched yourself up.

Sorry.

 

[Dazmo]

Hi all, I need some urgent advice on how to deal with a problem with Walton AUDI main dealer.

A week ago I took an Audi A4 car for a multipoint check at Walton Audi. The reason was I wanted to buy the car and therefore make sure it was all checked up by a main dealer. They offered this Multipoint check and said that they would do it before they sell a car so I thought, well, this is safe. Paid a huge amount of money for an hour work and later on that day received a report. Mainly the report displayed only ticks and the issues found were only a headlight range control problem and some minor brake pads and disc below the minimum warning. Well I knew that aircon was not working either but didn’t mention it because I thought if it was a problem they would have found it. On the basis of this report I bought the car on the next day.

A couple of days later I took her down to KwikFit for a gas refill although it did seem strange that 3 year old car would need this done. KwikFit said the aircon compressor wasn't engaging so I had to have it fixed first.

Today I had an Aircon Direct specialist checking the car who found that the compressor needs to be replaced. He hasn't given me a quote just yet but mentioned that it would between £500 and £700. I was amazed. After paying so much money for a multipoint check by an audi main dealer I still got stung with a serious problem. I showed him the report and clearly the tick box for Air-conditioning Working was checked. He advised me to get back to Walton Audi and get it fixed by them since they have failed to pick this one up. He also mentioned that this issue must have happened quite some time ago.

Well, I will definitely pay them a visit on Monday but can you advise me on something that I should be prepared for in case they come up with some stupid excuses i.e. it broke later or the report is not legally binding? Shall I call Audi UK and discuss this with them. What are my legal chances to win this case? I still have the report with my receipt stapled to it.

Nik

So where did you buy the car from originally and when did you buy it? was it a private sale or did you buy it from another stealer?

The way i see it is you have 2 options, you can go back to audi and try and get your money back for the multi-point check and maybe..just maybe they will fix the air con.

Or...

Providing you didnt purchase the car too long ago you could purchase an extended warrenty plan from somewhere like tesco (shop around) give it a few weeks or so after opening the plan (providing there is no minimum period before you can claim) and then put a claim in for a a broken air con compressor.

The best part of it is, you have proof to say that only a few days ago it was checked and fully working by audi.

Or you could try both if audi dont fix it and you just get your money back.

 

[ntp]

Thanks Dazmo, your second option is quite apealing. The multipoint check was made on 15/07/09 so there have been almost 2 weeks since. I will check online for extended warrenty plan.

I am going to the dealer tomorrow and let's hope they will fix the aircon.
Audi UK said that I need to talk to the dealer and then call them back.

I am also considering to ask the independent aircon specialist to write a report on whether it's possible for the fault to have occured between the 15/07/09 and 25/07/00 (the day the car was inspected). I might need this report if I do decide to seek legal advice.

Cheers

 

[ntp]

So where did you buy the car from originally and when did you buy it? was it a private sale or did you buy it from another stealer?

The way i see it is you have 2 options, you can go back to audi and try and get your money back for the multi-point check and maybe..just maybe they will fix the air con.

Or...

Providing you didnt purchase the car too long ago you could purchase an extended warrenty plan from somewhere like tesco (shop around) give it a few weeks or so after opening the plan (providing there is no minimum period before you can claim) and then put a claim in for a a broken air con compressor.

The best part of it is, you have proof to say that only a few days ago it was checked and fully working by audi.

Or you could try both if audi dont fix it and you just get your money back.

Sorry, I bought the car from a private seller. The guy seemed genuine ( and I still think he is) and suggested to take the car to fully inspected to any audi dealers.

 

[ntp]

Errm ok so the dealer didn't pick it up but by your own admission you knew that it wasn't working and yet you still bought the car?

If they'd have said the A/Cs not working then that's what you already knew and hence you'd have still bought the car.

"Well I knew that aircon was not working either but didn’t mention it because I thought if it was a problem they would have found it. On the basis of this report I bought the car on the next day."

This just doesn't sound right. Why wouldn't you have said "can you check out the A/C?". Why hide it from them?

Ok - they cocked up but I personally think you've stitched yourself up.

Sorry.

Well I did ask whether the aircon was fixed when they gave me the report. The service adviser said yes and then I thought it was just simply gas that was needed.
But again I keep that question What's the point of the multipoint check if it doesn't hold up in the end. I recently bouhgt a house and before I started negotiating the price I had a house survey done. Now had that house survey not picked up a serious subsidence and had I bought the place on the grounds of its findings (thank god that's not the case) I would have sued the surveyer till the end and believe me would have won the case.

 

[Scotty]

Taking the house scenario :

If the seller told you the house was suffering from subsidence would you have got a survey done (lets assume they found nothing wrong) so you buy it and then claim of the surveyor?

I'm obviously missing something as it read to me as you knew it was faulty but bought it anyway.