Used car failed within five months of purchase - who's liable for the costs?
We purchased a used Citroen C4 five months ago and the car has now suffered a breakdown. The garage have told us the bearings have mechanically failed prematurely which has affected the cam belt, valves, pistons, etc. The car will cost half what we paid to fix it.
Where do I stand? Should this be a claim against Citroen or is the garage where I bought the car liable?
Where do I stand? Should this be a claim against Citroen or is the garage where I bought the car liable?
Asked on 30 July 2013 by DebbieH
Answered by
Honest John
In theory the garage that sold you the car is liable because the law assumes that any serious fault that occurs within six months of purchase must already have been developing on the date of purchase. Law here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage GuideSimilar questions
I bought a van on finance and have now found out that it's been clocked. The mechanic just found multiple issues and it needs new gearbox. I bought over the phone from a van company three hours away. It's...
I purchased a brand new Peugeot Boxer from a main dealer in May 2016. In June, it started to have a slight hesitation which has now worsened and makes me feel as if it might come to a complete stop at...
Our vehicle is a Volkswagen Caravelle DSG with over 70,000 miles on the clock. The problem appears to be the EGR cooler corrodes internally, producing aluminium oxides, and this then passes into the intake...
Elsewhere on 
