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AnthonyMcV

Hi,
I bought a 2006 Mercedeze Benz A170 from a car dealer in November 2015. Since then it has been for repairs 5 times. It currently has a problem with randomly not starting. It has been to an AA servcie center (where they have been doing a great job keeping me informed etc) who have sent it on to an Auto Electrician. Nobody can find what the problem is. It has cost me $1800 in reapair bills for this problem alone. Can I take it back to the dealer and ask for my money back?

Regards
Anthony

Anon

Hi Anthony,
If you bought from a dealer, you have cover under the Consumer Guarantees act.
This has no time frame but does have a process that needs to be followed to work effectively.
Faults can be categorised as serious or non serious. And ask yourself would they be acceptable for the age, mileage, and price paid?.
Any fault you have and think the dealer should take a look at, you must give them first right of repair, and at least call them and get permission for a third party to get involved.
So don't get it fixed, then tell the dealer and expect them to pay.
Failure to do this would absolve them from fulfilling their responsibility.
Return of the vehicle has to be agreed upon with the dealer and the vehicle would have to be deemed to have serious faults before you can choose this path.
Please follow this link for further explanation. http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/for-consumers/motor-vehicles/got-a-problem/faulty-or-defective-vehicles.