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Legal Action Against Car Manufacturers


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#1 martin

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Posted 07 January 2003 - 10:57 AM

I've just been to see a solicitor with regards to rejecting my car. He pointed out that even though I have a reasonably good case it is an expensive business taking litigation against a car manufacturer and they know it. This means that they will quite happily break the law because they know that no one will try to sue them as it is too expensive (3-5k). I spotted on the poll in Yahoo that some one else is trying to reject there car, and I would like to wish them luck. In the mean time I still don't have a car (since 16th Sept), it's back at the dealer, I've seen it, it wasn't fixed, someone has scratched it and Vauxhall doesn't really care. You have been warned. Martin

#2 Purebob

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Posted 07 January 2003 - 11:10 AM

Firstly, I feel for you. To get a lovely car like the VX and to have the experience utterly spoiled by an unhelpful company must be awful. Few things match the pleasure of getting a new car you're really happy with, and few things are more disappointing than having the joy dashed like you have. Next, have you tried writing to What Car? about it ? If you supply history & pix I feel sure some of the more disgruntled folks on this board would back you up. Vauxhall may not give a monkey's about you alone, but What Car? and the whole VX forum may just make them take notice. I am just begiing to order a VX as my replacement company car and stories like yours make me think twice, they really do. Sure Its brilliant being financially protected from car problems as its a company car but no-one wants to have the hassle of constantly taking teh car back for repair and fights with dealers, manufacturers and leasing companies. No wonder so many choose MX5s & MR2s. Not so sublimely exciting as the VX but they don't break and the manufacturers give a sh*t. I REALLY hate Vauxhall. Your hassle is really what the Griffin badge means and that's why I hate it, not badge snobbey. I hate to think GM might get any kudos from onlookers for the VX when they do little (it seems to deserve it through their support of VX owners. :angry:

#3 Thorney

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Posted 07 January 2003 - 11:21 AM

What are the problems with it?

#4 martin

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Posted 07 January 2003 - 11:46 AM

These are the faults that I have had in the order that they occurred. The car was in the dealer 10 times in the first 11 weeks of me owning it, on the 16th Sept it went to Luton. Vauxhall returned the car to the dealer on the 6th Dec, the new roof seal had come off, the roof hadn't been replaced and the bonnet had been scratched. 1. Boot wouldn't open 2. Door locks Jammed 3. Brake lights didn't work properly 4. Mats unglued themselves from the floor 5. Seal around the windscreen came off - the car is on it's 4th seal 6. Black Mastic on the blue roof - finally got a new roof out of them 7. Steering Column squeaks a lot 8. Drivers window wouldn't shut 9. Roof fell apart 10. The exhaust has got louder - Vauxhall say that it's fine 11. The paint is cracking around the rear lights 12. The gearbox has started to whine in 5th when put under a high load - Vauxhall say that it's fine 13. The Car wouldn't start leaving me stranded two days in a row despite the fact that it had been 'Fixed' 14. Steering rack rattles / as seen on a few others 15. Airbag recall 16. Roof leaks - ever since the seal was changed 17. Head lights have fogged up - Vauxhall say that's just the way they are 18. Car scratched while out of my hands If the car had been fine on the 6th I would probably have taken their 'Goodwill' gesture. But now they will not offer me any guarantee that this will be the end of it. Martin

#5 Thorney

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Posted 07 January 2003 - 12:06 PM

Does sound pretty bad. Speaking as an ex solicitor I'd recommend the following: (I'm sure you've done all this but thought I'd say). In writing tell the dealer they have one final chance to put all the problems right and book it in. Tell them that if all the problems are not fixed on this occassion then you will formally reject the vehicle. If/when you reject it, take it back, with the V5 and the keys and leave it at the dealers. Only deal with the DP, no-one else. Copy the letter and in writing list all the faults to customer service at Vauxhall. Give them 2 weeks. After those 2 weeks then you can start a small claims procedure. Tell your finance company (assuming its financed) that you have rejected the vehicle - they have to get involved. The alternative is to reject it now, but the thing to consider is rejection means that - it's not a bargaining tool - you give it back. The enxt stage would be the usual web forums, magazines etc moaning about it all but I'd consider this a final option as it can both help and hinder your case.




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