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I recently bought a 2007 Mondeo (new shape) from a dealer which was advertised as having a tow bar. I had a pre-purchase inspection done by VTNZ. A few days ago I discovered that it has no wiring for the towbar. VTNZ did not mention its absence. The wiring will likely cost over $500 to install, as it requires relays and re-programming of the car's computer.

I think it was a reasonable expectation that the wiring would be there, as the towbar is next to useless without it. Was that a reasonable assumption, and should I have any recourse against the seller or VTNZ?

Where does a pre purchase inspection end?

If checking for towbar wiring was part of the VTNZ inspection, should they have then been expected to test it to make sure it worked? And what guarantees would you have had it would be compatible with your particular trailer, boat or caravan wiring plug?

If the appeal of the car was the fact it had a towbar fitted, should you not have looked for a wiring harness yourself to ensure it was able to mate with your particular trailer plug?

I feel you had some responsibility to do your own checks.

By all means go and talk this through with VTNZ but I don’t believe they will fall on their sword because it was overlooked on their report (unless their report states it is a specific part of their inspection).

I understand your disappointment, in most cases the wiring and towbar are fitted together but the previous owner may have only used the towbar to mount a bike rack for example and did not require any wiring to be added.

This leads onto another question. Is the towbar genuine and/or capable of towing the loads you require?

No wiring may indicate a basic towbar only is fitted. It would certainly pay to get this checked out.

It would be highly probable the Dealer did not even know the wiring was not fitted themselves to be honest. When a vehicle is traded it could easily be overlooked.

If the car was misrepresented (advertised with a towbar and wiring) then sure, you have a definite comeback on the Dealer but otherwise it is a little bit of bad luck in my view.

If the car was sold by a Ford Dealer then they may be prepared to help with the cost of the wiring as a gesture of goodwill as their workshop would do this job fairly quickly and at a favourable rate.

A non Ford Dealer may not have that same luxury but maybe willing to help in some way depending on the profit margin in the original sale.