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Hi there,
I've got a car (honda civic 2008 hybrid)from a car dealer with $8500 plus 3 years of mechanical warranty ($1200)
Now i have got many issues with the car
1) The car paint started coming off in 20 days where i have bought didn't see any fade may be because he used silicon or other thing to cover that fade. But he did the spray paint which is ok
2) after 3-4 months i have travelled 10000kms and been noted by the mechanic that the tyres aren't safe to drive because it's been cracked where I didn't even notice while purchasing and the dealer asked me to pay $260 to change the tyres and i said why should i pay but in order not to argue i paid $200cash to the mechanic and rest balance amount he said he'll pay. Now this is done
After one month of that my car batteries aren't working properly while driving it keeps on showing the battery symbol and IMA sign. Now he's expecting me to put more money to get a new battery where while purchasing he gave me receipt showing that he got a new battery for my car before purchasing so it has to run atleast 100,000kms for new batteries I believe
Now I don't have money to pay where i have already put my money into it and it's in finance too so please help me how to deal with this
Many thanks
Indra
Hi there,
If you are experiencing issues soon after a vehicle purchase from a dealer, you must give them first right of remedy- which you have- and if they refuse to be of assistance, then you may need to go to the Dispute Tribunal and make a claim that the vehicle has not been fit for purpose or durable and the dealer mislead you into the purchase by statements about battery replacement.
Hi there. Thanks for the reply. I've had discuss with him regarding the battery issue,. what he said that he's not liable for it as every dealer gives 3 months of warranty. And he's offering like the battery would cost somewhere around $1500 he's asking me to give $750 and the rest amount he'll put.
So what's the best suggestion you can give to me to deal with this kinda situation?
Thanks
Hi there,
In this case you can choose to accept or decline their remedy offer. If you don't accept the offer and want to challenge the dealer on all the issue with the vehicle, then this would have to be settled in a disputes tribunal. The question to ask yourself is, is it reasonable for this vehicle to have these issues when taking into account price paid, vehicle age mileage and condition at purchase, and how soon after purchase did the issues occur? The answer to this will help you dictate acceptance of faults or if the dealer should be liable and if you should pursue the matter in a tribunal or not.
Hi there, Thanks much for your reply, I better take it to dispute tribunal.
Since i have no money to accept his offer, and the battery has to replace asap to avoid other issues which can be occur later if its not replaced on time. Since i have got all his chats which I believe enough to prove him wrong. My only question is since he said he had replaced new battery, As per my knowledge battery come with warranty of atleast 12 months or may be more or atleast it should run 100,000kms which I hardly driven nearly 16,000kms. What do you think would happen if i take it to dispute tribunal? Will they look only on the battery issue?
Also can i get your contact number or if i can come and meet you to discuss if possible that would be helpful.
Many thanks
Indra
Hi Indra,
I guess the thing to keep in mind is that there may be two batteries- so just check that the battery they said they replaced is the one that is now faulty. The Tribunal will look at the arguments from both parties and the balance this against the GCA and see if the faults are reasonable or not and who should be paying for the repairs. I can't say what the outcome would be as we don't have all the information. Further information can be found here: https://www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/help-product-service/cars/solving-issues-car-dealer/
Hi there, Thanks for the information you've had provided is very helpful, and yes the one battery he showed me is the one is now faulty. I'm more worried about the vehicle purchased date on October 12 2018 and its Been more than around 5 months i started getting the battery issue. Will he still liable to get it repair if i take it dispute tribunal?
Many thanks
A new battery (if that's what was fitted) should last more than 5 months, so the battery has not been seen to be lasting a reasonable amount of time/ the vehicle is not currently fit for purpose. If the dealer see's that you are serious about a Tribunal, they might fix the car before you even have to go there.