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May have been sold a lemon, need some advice ASAP please.

  • 27-03-2024 1:41pm
    #1
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭


    Bought a car from a reputable garage in August of 2021 with 2 years NCT.

    Unable to pass NCT now because there's a Euro spec headlight on OSF. (Tried twice)

    Second hand replacement unit is about €700


    Dealer wants to take car to his NCT centre of choice where he "knows" a guy!! Maybe put beam benders on it.

    Should I allow him to do this or dispute the fact that the car was not in a roadworthy condition at time of sale?

    My understanding is that I have 3 years (August this year) before my customer rights expire.

    If I let his NCT buddy pass the car, I'll never be able to NCT it myself again next year.


    He seems way too eager to help with the short term fix (offering to collect the car from my home and leave me a replacement car)

    This is due to happen tomorrow, Thursday.


    Any and all advice appreciated.


    Thanks folks.



Comments

  • #2
    This is it
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,874 ✭✭✭This is it


    I'd want it fixed, like you said, what happens in 2 years when you bring it again



  • #3
    whippet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,718 ✭✭✭whippet


    I'd say with a dealer like this you are on a hiding to nothing - he has zero intention of putting his hands in his pocket to rectify the issue and you will at best have an NCT that was given incorrectly or at worst a fake NCT cert and be driving around in a defective vehicle - and now you won't be able to deny knowledge of that fact.

    You could go down the small claims court process etc ... but you could be waiting a while and even then you might not get any satisfaction. Have a look for parts second hand and get someone to replace it for you



  • #4
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945549#Comment_121945549

    And due to the NCT backlog, I "could" end up having to test it again in a few months 😕



  • #5
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945571#Comment_121945571

    But is it my responsibility to fork out €700 plus fitting on a replacement unit?

    The car was not fit for purpose at the time of sale.



  • #6
    Hellrazer
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Id be more worried why theres a supposed Euro spec headlight on it - was it crashed before you bought it - a dealer is supposed to disclose crash damage to a buyer.

    How do you know its a Euro spec headlight - - could just be faulty and not focusing correctly. The only real way to know is to take the part number off it and ring another dealer with your VIN and see whats actually listed for it.

    Regarding the NCT - its almost 3 years later - I doubt you are really going to have much luck with getting anywhere now - can you prove it wasnt roadworthy at the time of sale? Thats the important part - youve driven it for 3 years worry free Im assuming. It was NCT`d when you bought it.

    What warranty was given with the car?

    How does the dealer know you werent involved in a crash and changed the headlight?

    If its a reputable dealer I wouldnt be concerned about his willingness to help - Ive gone far out of my way to help customers - its just something you do to keep your reputation intact.



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  • #7
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945637#Comment_121945637

    I've been told by the NCT and a different, reputable garage with a pre NCT lane that it's Euro spec.

    Thanks dor the input.



  • #8
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    I did ask at the time of purchase if it had accident damage, and was told no (his word against mine I suppose)

    According to a motor check, the car was stolen/recovered within the first year of registration.

    Doesn't explain how it passed it's NCT every year since though. The car was first registered in 2013.



  • #9
    Hellrazer
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945677#Comment_121945677

    I wouldnt be minding the NCT testers to be honest - the amount of times theyve told me something that was completely wrong - I wouldnt trust a word they tell you.

    Id still be taking the part number off the headlight and checking - there are some models out there that have dual LHD and RHD headlights that can be adjusted to suit which market its for - cuts down on production costs.

    Maybe its adjusted wrong?

    What make / model is it?



  • #10
    ToweringPerformance
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭ToweringPerformance


    Did you not do a motorcheck before purchasing?



  • #11
    Hellrazer
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945697#Comment_121945697

    According to a motor check, the car was stolen/recovered within the first year of registration.

    Thats a red flag - stolen cars are very rarely recovered in spotless condition.



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  • #12
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 71,190 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945736#Comment_121945736

    Stolen/recovered in first year could have been quite brief, not damaged but replaced under a first year replacement clause. My parents car was swiped with the keys after a break in (10 years ago now so its not this car!) and was recovered undamaged with the keys inside (auto-locked); but a new car had already been ordered by the insurer.



  • #13
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    I didn't do a motor check before buying no 😫

    We just stumbled across it at the garage and were in desperate need of a car at the time, plus the price was very good.

    It's a Hyundai i40 saloon, 1.7 CRDI.

    Have checked and there's not an option to switch between LHD - RHD on this particular model.

    Due to health issues, I'm not in a position to remove the light unit to check the serial or barcode.



  • #14
    User1998
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,716 ✭✭✭User1998


    OP I don’t see how you can force the dealer into fixing this. You could have crashed the car and fixed it yourself with a headlamp you found online and are now trying to blame the dealer. It passed the NCT when it was sold to you. You do not have 3 years worth of consumer rights on a used car. Maybe 3 months not 3 years. Although I do believe you that you have not crashed it may be hard to prove otherwise if going the legal route.



  • #15
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945736#Comment_121945736

    My thoughts exactly. But someone managed to get it through the NCT year after year between 2015 and November of last year.

    Possible someone had a tip in it and bought a unit on ebay or something! 😮



  • #16
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945822#Comment_121945822

    Yeah, according to Consumer Rights, the car HAD to be roadworthy at time of sale.

    I have 3 years to contest that, but as you say, their word against mine.



  • #17
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    I wouldn't sell the car privately with this issue.

    So if I can scramble a few quid together, I may just trade it in with another dealer.

    Can't imagine it's worth more than a few grand at this stage.



  • #18
    User1998
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,716 ✭✭✭User1998


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945910#Comment_121945910

    Can I ask what car it is? Can you not get a second hand headlamp from a scrapyard? What car is only worth a couple of grand yet has headlamps that cost €700?

    At the very least you should get the dealer to do your NCT for you since they have offered. Don’t worry about selling the car or trading it in just yet. They seem reasonable, why not ask them to get you a second hand headlamp?



  • #19
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945929#Comment_121945929

    It's a Hyundai i40 with DRL lights.

    Iv'e seen a few from the scrappers, but they're asking €650 + Vat for a replacement.

    I'm guessing the car is prob worth 4K - 5K on a trade in, depending on what I'm buying.



  • #20
    ToweringPerformance
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭ToweringPerformance


    That's mad money for a unit like that from a scapper. I thought that was a dealer price.



  • #21
    User1998
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,716 ✭✭✭User1998


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945974#Comment_121945974

    I just checked Ebay and the most of them are €200 or so? They are mostly UK sellers but you can get them sent to a parcel forwarder up North for free delivery and no import fees.



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  • #22
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    Certainly possible the previous owner had a tip in it and bought the wrong unit for it.

    This may not have been recorded on the cars history.

    So like I said earlier, his word against mine. I "Think" the car was sold to the garage with a valid NCT, but can't confirm that as yet as I don't know when he took it in.



  • #23
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945993#Comment_121945993

    Cheers, will check that out. Basing my pricing on Adverts and Donedeal.

    If we decide to hold on to it, I could afford that within a few months, after dealer's mate passes it.



  • #24
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    Don't suppose you have a link @User1998



  • #25
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    Another question for you wonderful peeps.

    I go to buy a car, I ask dealer if it has accident damage, he say's no.

    I understand he's not required to tell me unless I actually ask.

    So is this another case of his word against mine?

    How do you get around that? Ask for it in writing?



  • #26
    Akrasia
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,799 ✭✭✭✭Akrasia


    I'd be worried that the dealer 'knows a guy' who can get cars through an NCT that he knows should have failed

    Doesn't say much for whether any of the cars he sells with an NCT are actually roadworthy or were the NCTs rigged in his favour



  • #27
    Hellrazer
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946145#Comment_121946145

    Doesnt really happen-to be honest. I dont think it ever did happen other than anecdotal evidence - Id say hes going to throw a beam bender on it, get it through and give it back to the OP.



  • #28
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946145#Comment_121946145

    Totally agree. And it's not the first time I've heard this happen.

    An NCT tester that I met once (outside of work) told me he could get pretty much most cars passed for a fee unless they were dangerous.

    He actually offered me this service, but I declined (a few years ago with a VW Golf)

    I like to know what's going on with my car.



  • #29
    Hellrazer
    Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,885 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945993#Comment_121945993

    @Neil_Sedaka

    If you wanted to order - you can use my NI company address for delivery. A lot of Ebay sellers are free delivery to the UK.



  • #30
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946226#Comment_121946226

    That sounds fantastic, cheers mate, very much appreciated.



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  • #31
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    I guess I'll see how the next few days pan out, but also question dealer about my next NCT.

    Really, really appreciate all of the replies and assistance.

    Great bunch as always, thanks guys.



  • #32
    User1998
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,716 ✭✭✭User1998


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945974#Comment_121945974

    I just searched ‘Hyundai i40 headlamp’ on Ebay, you’d just have to match up the part numbers to get the right one



  • #33
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946460#Comment_121946460

    It's the 2012 to 2014/2015 model prior to the facelift. Will do my best to get a part number for it.

    Thanks again, much appreciated 👍️



  • #34
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    Mine doesn't have Xenon, just regular H7 bulbs. Would this be an issue or should I seek out non Xenon version?



  • #35
    jonnybangbang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 153 ✭✭jonnybangbang


    My car which i imported from the UK in 2019 failed its first NCT with the NCT inspector advising I would need to replace the entire light as they were EU spec.. Turns out that as my car had adaptive headlight it was just a setting i needed to change from Left to right in the lighting setting options.



  • #36
    Neil_Sedaka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭Neil_Sedaka


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121949042#Comment_121949042

    Unfortunately our car doesn't have adaptive lighting 😥



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