Paige

Sold me a faulty car

I bought a Vauxhall Corsa On the 12th April this year for around £2690 and it had a short MOT (ending in June 2018) On the online advertisement it was labeled as 'in perfect working condition' and said that it has passed all of their internal checks. When I went to view the car on the 6th April (it was late; 45 minutes before they close, as I came straight from work) the car was parked between three other cars so I couldn't get in it and have a quick test drive nor was I offered this, I was told I could start the engine and that's about it. I had to put a £100 deposit down which I did and that was refunded to me in full on the day I bought the car - I was offered this or one years warranty - I declined this as I was relying on that £100 for fuel and they had given me a free 30 days warranty. Me being a first time driver I had no idea what questions to ask or who to bring with me...I'd fallen in love with the car so decided to buy it. The day I bought the car they hadn't cleaned it inside or out, no fuel had been added to it and was in the red zone, no screen wash etc - they hadn't even moved it for me I had to wait for them to move the rest of the other cars so I could get into it. Driving around in the car was fine, a week after I bought it I heard knocking but I had no idea what it was and it didn't happen again, so I just left it. I had my partner and his family check it out and couldn't find anything obviously wrong. The car again seemed fine, had a few scratches here and there but I didn't mind as it was my first car. I had my MOT yesterday (10/5/18) and was called to say my car had failed it and was dangerous drive because (the following are from my MOT certificate): -Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases front - Exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits -Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint offside Front Lower This was jibberish to me I had no idea what is was until the mechanic told me. He also said I was lucky to not have crashed yet! I was absolutely distraught, my car was on finance and I didn't know if I was able to afford the repairs. I called Kingstanding Cars and told them what had happened, they asked when my 30 day warranty ended and me being flustered couldn't remember and thought it'd already ended. I was then informed that their manager was on holiday for the next week and I had to wait. I got back home and double checked when my warranty ended, it was in two days. I called them back and told them this, I immediately got a very angry and frustrated man on the phone telling me that this only covered engine and gear box faults - I was NOT informed of this and it 100% was not on my receipt like they later said it was. I told the man on the phone exactly what was wrong with the car and he proceeded to tell me that it had passed all of their checks and that it was my fault the car was like this and they couldn't do anything about it - he was EXTREMELY RUDE!!! He then said that I should have asked for the pre MOT that they did before I got the car - again I was NOT OFFERED THIS!! He then said 'we don't tell you that we offer this you should already know' I'M A FIRST TIME DRIVER!! I have no idea what you offer and it wasn't advertised anywhere that they offer it. I asked them if there was anything they could do, they then said they've got to wait until their manager was back but they'd 'try and get hold of him'. I couldn't wait a whole week for this! I asked him 'well what do you expect me to do' he simply said 'well you should've bought a mechanic with you' ... WHAT?!? Not everyone knows a mechanic i'm afraid!! And I doubt a mechanic would miss out on a whole days pay to come and check to see if ONE car is suitable to drive. HOW DARE THEY sell a dangerous vehicle to anyone and tell them it's in perfect condition, and at £2690!! ABSOLUTE RIP OFF!! I'm disgusted that they would sell faulty cars to people...it could have been a new mother/pregnant woman or elderly person in the car and it could have caused them to crash! Will NOT be using this company again and I advise EVERYONE to steer clear from it!!