Not a Volvo but help needed with a car purchase.

[Swedefarm]

Ok all,

As some of you have seen I put posts up regarding the possible purchase of a Volvo S60 or V70 D5, well that fell through as a Saab came up that looked clean and well cared for.

So the car, it’s a 2006 SAAB 9-5 estate 1.9tid, very comfortable, plenty of service history and brand new tyres front and rear. Mileage is high toward the 149500 mark.

The car was purchase through a trader, I test drove the car and all seemed well, handed the cash over and drove it 150 miles back home.

The next day, problems have become apparent, it’s grinds into second gear and has thrown its self back out of second, this is intermittent, the rear brake pads or lack of! There is nothing left on the pads, the brakes are not operating right, there is so much movement you really need to stand on the brakes.

Now I’ve had an independent Saab Specialist drive the car for 10 minutes but the gear box fault or linkage issue didn’t come to fruition but has since, this had been relayed to the seller and we are now unsure where to go.

He claimed he had no issues when he drove the car.

I want to return the car, but the seller seems to have the moral high ground.

I understand it’s mileage, and it’s age but surely a car has to suitable for purpose it’s intended for and most of all safe...

I’m lost and I don’t know what to do..... can anybody help (And no comments “should have bought a Volvo)

Many thanks

[Peter86]

First if all sorry to hear the news on your car.
You would think a trader would be more helpful.

There's a few routes to try, and start with free routes first!!!

If you have any report from the Saab place you went about the issues that's a help.

Any finance - speak to the finance company and they will act on your behalf.

Any payment on a credit card you should be covered by the credit card company for the whole purchase if I'm not mistaken so they can act on your behalf. Not sure about debit cards, think there's less cover on them.

Ombudsman - not sure if there's fees involved.

Legal route - fees involved (last resort)

You may be asked to get an approved dekra or similar report but don't till you are asked/ need one as there not cheap.

If you have any report from the place that has inspected your car, email/ recorded delivery evidence and a polite letter explaining the situation and what you would like, eg repairs/ refund. Don't do anything by phone as there is no written evidence.

It maybe the case the dealer may want to repair the car and you may have to accept it.

If you can try and not use the car as the dealer may say you are happily using it and you've caused wear by using it.

Hope that helps.
Try Martin lewis website for help.

Good luck.

[walshy]

Everything is in your favour.
I bought a 300c from a garage a few years ago. I've mentioned it in here before but to cut a long story short it was mis sold to me and I got a full refund.
What you have to do is document any calls or conversations with the dealer.
In a used car sale you have six months under the recent consumer rights change compared to I think it's a month or two for normal retail transactions.
The dealer has the right to repair any faults found and return the car but if not you are entitled to a full refund of any monies paid.
I was back and forth with my problem and it was 5 months before I got it resolved just before I threatened legal action.
If you check online I'm sure I got the relevant documentation from either the government or trading standards website and print it off so you can present it to him.

[Swedefarm]

Originally Posted by walshy

Everything is in your favour.
I bought a 300c from a garage a few years ago. I've mentioned it in here before but to cut a long story short it was mis sold to me and I got a full refund.
What you have to do is document any calls or conversations with the dealer.
In a used car sale you have six months under the recent consumer rights change compared to I think it's a month or two for normal retail transactions.
The dealer has the right to repair any faults found and return the car but if not you are entitled to a full refund of any monies paid.
I was back and forth with my problem and it was 5 months before I got it resolved just before I threatened legal action.
If you check online I'm sure I got the relevant documentation from either the government or trading standards website and print it off so you can present it to him.

Thank you Walshy,

Annoyingly the conversation between the dealer and the specialists was on the lines of “Nothing out of the ordinary, seems to be normal wear on the linkage”, and as a result he is unsure what to do or where to go.

HOWEVER, whilst waiting for a reply, I have discovered that the rear shocks are gone, I knew it bounced about more than normal over bumps but having hoovered the whole boot I could feel it bottom out whilst bouncing around in the boot.

I initially assumed it had been lowered on the back end but evidently not the case..

[john.wigley]

Agree with the responses above. On a practical note, 'Swedefarm" has two separate issues.

Firstly, the brakes - the car should quite simply have not been supplied in this condition. From what 'Swedefarm" says, they would not meet MOT requirements and should have been obvious to the supplying dealer.

Secondly, the gear box issues. 'Swedefarm' states that the fault is intermittent and did not manifest itself either on his test drive or on his journey home, or in the hands of the independent Saab specialist. It is therefore quite possible that the supplying dealer was unaware of this.

Assuming that 'Swedefarm' is otherwise happy with the car, my approach would be to ask the dealer to correct both faults FOC, before becoming involved in returning or exchanging the car and possible costly legal action. Save that as path of last resort.

Far from saying that he should have bought a Volvo, and having owned a 9 - 5 myself, I regard them as a very good alternative to a V70.

Regards. John.

[4x4]

Have a read at this... Click

[Swedefarm]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Have a read at this... Click

And here is the response I just had.

I must start by saying the ride height of a vehicle is governed by the springs & not the shock absorbers. As I've previously said I've driven the car a few times & it all seemed fine to me. Obviously shock absorbers are a wear & tear item much like brakes & tyres so wouldn't come under any sort of warranty anyway even if they have gone. Thanks, Paul

[walshy]

How long is the mot? Did it come with a full year?
The regulations have recently changed and there is only 28 days since the pass for any faults to be taken up with the testing station.
If it came with a full year and you're within that timescale then go back to the station and take it up with them as well. I've a friend who has a testing station and he deals with a lot of dealers and doesn't let them away with anything as he said it's not worth vosa paying him a visit due to dodgy passes.
You could take the car to another garage or test station to get their opinion.
The best thing to do is print out your rights and pay him another visit and see what develops.

[capt jack]

A few thoughts. It's illegal to sell a car that is not roadworthy, and so if the brake and/or shock absorbers are faulty then the trader is 100% wrong, you are 100% within your rights to reject the car and have a refund in full of your purchase price.

However, I'm guessing that you like the car, and that you probably aren't really in the mood to pick a fight with a dealer 150 miles from home.

Being realistic, a used car at 150k miles is very unlikely to be perfect - you have to expect a bit of expenditure. If you plan now to keep the car it's probably best to get the brakes and shockers done anyway, and then chase the vendor for a refund of the cost. As has been said do it all in writing.

The intermittent jumping our of 2nd is a bigger worry. A quick scan of the various Saab owners forums suggests that this is a common problem. If I'm reading the various posts correctly it could be either a worn gearbox mount, or worn linkages, or a major gearbox fault. Obviously we'll hope for nothing worse than one of the first two!

There are at least two garages in Cardiff advertising themselves as Saab specialists. I'd say make one of these your first port of call.

I used to own a 2007 Saab 9-3 1.9TiD auto. Saabs are pretty good cars, and it's a shame that the marque is no more.

Jack

[Swedefarm]

Hi all,

Sorry for the really delayed reply.

Thank you all for the messages, it would seem that this trader doesn’t see thing things the same way the rest of the world does. So I’ve mentioned the consumer rights act of 2015 and he has simply brushed that aside.

I mentioned the brakes today and showed him images and he claims that there are 50% left on the pads, the disks are not much better either. I shall post images.

So tomorrow morning, the car is booked in for an evaluation of the rear shocks, gears and brakes... shall see what comes of it.... Just to note that one of the dealers were not willing to provide a report, which I find odd...

Anyway, opinions on those pads please..