FabSwingers.com forum: Car dealer stories

By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

I recently(3days) bought a car from a dealer who swore heaven and earth that the car did not require a cambelt. In other words he claImed his car had a timing chain and not a belt. I have just found out that he 'lied'.

This means I have to fork out about 400 pounds to change it NOW

FELLOW FUCKERS AND SUCKERS, how do I deal with this car dealer?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Take him to Trading Standards and Small Claims Court

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By *zanyCouple
over a year ago

truro

Unless you have a written receipt that the work has been done you must assume it has not been done. That is the most important consideration you must make when buying used.

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

"Take him to Trading Standards and Small Claims Court

Is it not expensive to take him there?

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By *entaur 9Man
over a year ago

Warwickshire

"I recently(3days) bought a car from a dealer who swore heaven and earth that the car did not require a cambelt. In other words he claImed his car had a timing chain and not a belt. I have just found out that he 'lied'.

This means I have to fork out about 400 pounds to change it NOW

FELLOW FUCKERS AND SUCKERS, how do I deal with this car dealer?

MR. Does it actually require a new cambelt?

Its a small job to just inspect it.

If the dealer serviced the car they probably did that.

Belts deteriorate with age and mileage but most are quoting 60000 mile intervals .

You are right to be cautious as a snapped belt can cause serious damage. The aa and rac offer inspections and their report carries some clout.

Ps it not a hard job and costs about £20 - £30 plus a haynes manual

and you dont always need the tensioner kit now thats another story

Good luck with your new car

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

"Unless you have a written receipt that the work has been done you must assume it has not been done. That is the most important consideration you must make when buying used.

What he said was that that car did not use a belt but rather a chain( chains don't need changing)

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

This means I have to fork out about 400 pounds to change it NOW

FELLOW FUCKERS AND SUCKERS, how do I deal with this car dealer?

MR. Does it actually require a new cambelt?

Its a small job to just inspect it.

If the dealer serviced the car they probably did that.

Belts deteriorate with age and mileage but most are quoting 60000 mile intervals .

You are right to be cautious as a snapped belt can cause serious damage. The aa and rac offer inspections and their report carries some clout.

Ps it not a hard job and costs about ?20 - ?30 plus a haynes manual

and you dont always need the tensioner kit now thats another story

Good luck with your new car

Thanks, man.

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By *entaur 9Man
over a year ago

Warwickshire

Chains snap too.

My mercedes van did that trick

They also stretch and go rattly.

Go back to the garage , calmly express your concerns snd maybe you might be surprised at how nice garage owners can sometimes be

He may either offer to do it , confirm its definately ok or arrange to do it at a reduced trade rate for you.

A cambelt change isnt really hard in many cases and shouldnt cost more than a few hours labour shop around price varies immensely.

I owned a garage for many years. Good luck.

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By *nsert user name hereMan
over a year ago

Manchester

"Unless you have a written receipt that the work has been done you must assume it has not been done. That is the most important consideration you must make when buying used.

What he said was that that car did not use a belt but rather a chain( chains don't need changing)"

Chains do need changing as the engine rebuild I've just had to do shows, tbh I think as a buyer you should do your homework. I doubt legally there is anything you can do. Maybe take it back to the dealer explaining you wouldn't have bought it if you had known.

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By *rumCoupleCouple
over a year ago

birmingham

A cambelt change isnt really hard in many cases and shouldnt cost more than a few hours labour shop around price varies immensely.

If it's a newer car it could be a pig. There's so much stuff in the way. Which also makes it a "dangerous" job, as the more you touch there more there is to go wrong. Especially if they get it wrong and bend the valves.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

My belt went and 2 n a half grand later the van never was the same im just lucky my boss was paying

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

What car is it?

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I would also put something in writing to them, or anyone that sold anything on dodgy terms or was faulty. Then Id use trading standards if the dealer wont fix at at no cost to you. Sounds like it was not fit for purpose and was falsely described.

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

"I would also put something in writing to them, or anyone that sold anything on dodgy terms or was faulty. Then Id use trading standards if the dealer wont fix at at no cost to you. Sounds like it was not fit for purpose and was falsely described. "

He wont even answer my calls. fffffs

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This means I have to fork out about 400 pounds to change it NOW

FELLOW FUCKERS AND SUCKERS, how do I deal with this car dealer?

MR. Does it actually require a new cambelt?

Its a small job to just inspect it.

If the dealer serviced the car they probably did that.

Belts deteriorate with age and mileage but most are quoting 60000 mile intervals .

You are right to be cautious as a snapped belt can cause serious damage. The aa and rac offer inspections and their report carries some clout.

Ps it not a hard job and costs about £20 - £30 plus a haynes manual

and you dont always need the tensioner kit now thats another story

Good luck with your new car

Where the he'll are you buying your belts from?!....

I often end up paying over double that but I always fit new followers and tensioners at the same time, and in the case of Alfa's the water pump and variator too.

To the OP. Check your handbook and see if it is due a change and the service history to see when it was last done. Usually there is a millage interval along with a time interval specified (50,000 miles OR 3yrs, whichever cones first). Old belts can snap or old tensioners fail causing the pistons to hit the valves. This will require a minimum of a top end rebuild and a pair of new end shells on the big end bearings. Timing chains can stretch causing poor running and in worse cases the same as a snapped belt.

Some manufacturers make non interference engines ( Mazda for example) where a snapped belt causes little or no damage because the valves lift out of the way.

My advice would be to get the car to a decent garage and have them do a quick inspection for any faults, under the SOGA the dealer is responsible for at least 6 months, so dint be fobbed off.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A cambelt change isnt really hard in many cases and shouldnt cost more than a few hours labour shop around price varies immensely.

Some cars ( Alfa' for example) will require engine specific cam locking tools and TDC gauges, you'll kill the engine if you don't.

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By *irtydanMan
over a year ago

Blackpool

go back to the dealer tell him it needs a belt ask him to give you half to it you got a new belt hes got you off his back job done dont try and do the job yourself what ever you do

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By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

Caveat emptor.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Caveat emptor. "

Buyer Beware means bugger all when there is the SOGA.

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

I am getting free legal advice currently.

Cheapest quote I got for the belt is 425 - not cheap at all.

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By *relanddirectMan
over a year ago

cheshire

U legally have a three month warranty-bring it back he has to fix it!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Take him to Trading Standards and Small Claims Court

That's the best option although it will be hard to prove if it was verbal and he denies it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I am getting free legal advice currently.

Cheapest quote I got for the belt is 425 - not cheap at all.

What car is it? That seems a little high, try seeing if there are any owners forums for the vehicle in question and see if anyone on there can tecomend a garage in your area. That's what I did with mine, Alfa quote over £800 for a cam belt, water pump and variator change. I had the whole lot done using Alfa parts at a specialist for £425 (£300 of which was for cam belt).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Never trust any car dealer. Franchised or not. In the big places you are paying for tiled floors and mood lighting. I just buy private now. Had the same motor nearly six years v little trouble and do my oils and filters/ brakes myself. I know not everyone can or wants to do that though.

Top tips: you can tell when a dealer is lying, his lips move......

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

if it def needs new belt get in touch with trading standards if garage wont do anything

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

hubby is a dealer and always reccomends you have the belt checked by a competant mechanic

you will also find that the cambelt is a wear and tear item thus not covered by any warranty

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

just had my cam belt and water pump changed total cost less the 200

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

try independant garages not main stealers

go and see them aswell if your not sure try the next garage

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This means I have to fork out about 400 pounds to change it NOW

FELLOW FUCKERS AND SUCKERS, how do I deal with this car dealer?

Call back in person be polite and ask him in face to face what his game is.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

When it needs replaced take your car and some beers to Centaur 9 and get him to do it then organise a few ladies to come around for a fun night

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"hubby is a dealer and always reccomends you have the belt checked by a competant mechanic

you will also find that the cambelt is a wear and tear item thus not covered by any warranty "

It's a service item, correct ( usually every 3 years or so). If the dealer claimed falsely it has been done recently to get a sale then it's misrepresenting the goods for sale.

Even if he didn't claim it had been changed and it snaps 5 months down the road then ( providing the car hasn't covered huge mileage since purchase) the dealer would still be responsible for repair under SOGA.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"hubby is a dealer and always reccomends you have the belt checked by a competant mechanic

you will also find that the cambelt is a wear and tear item thus not covered by any warranty

It's a service item, correct ( usually every 3 years or so). If the dealer claimed falsely it has been done recently to get a sale then it's misrepresenting the goods for sale.

They are actually only legally responsible for 28 days from the day you take delivery of the vehicle not 6 mo ths

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By *entaur 9Man
over a year ago

Warwickshire

"When it needs replaced take your car and some beers to Centaur 9 and get him to do it then organise a few ladies to come around for a fun night

Bring the ladies first

My last cylinder head gasket and cambelt change came to under £100 that included belt antifreeze , head gasket and head set.oh and a 50 mm socket for the crank pulley and it was a diesel.

I am no longer a mechanic but do my own maintenance as I cant find one that doesnt understand that having my trousers pulled down and my arse slapped hard is something I could get free on fab

and more to the point done properly hehe.

(No you cant slap my arse and I won't fix your car lol - ladies I will slap yours)

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

Trading standards have suggested I write him a recorded mail letter, detailing the aforementioned. Give him 10 working days and if nothing happens, get back to them. Meanwhile my money is locked in the car and is sitting on the drive and I need a car. Been advised to not drive the car.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Is it definite that it needs a belt? Have you had it checked by a mechanic?

Even if it is due itbdoesnt mean it will snap the instant you turn the key. You still haven't said what car it is...

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By *entaur 9Man
over a year ago

Warwickshire

"Trading standards have suggested I write him a recorded mail letter, detailing the aforementioned. Give him 10 working days and if nothing happens, get back to them. Meanwhile my money is locked in the car and is sitting on the drive and I need a car. Been advised to not drive the car.

I think you may be being overcautious and paranoid. The Aa and Rac do inspections .

Understand you specifically wanted a car without a cambelt and agree this is your grounds to reject the car.

Its difficult to prove you made it clear of your wish regarding engine choice .

Cars with cambelts are very reliable theres millions on the road .

Anyhow good luck with a resolution. Question would you be happy with the car if it was assured as being a good belt?

Of course the argument is belts that look good snap too but so many belts get changed when not needed garages love them.

A friend had his changed a garage fitted it wrong ended up bending valves and it needed a new head and valves.

Enjoy your car or maybe just sell it ? Start again.

ALL CARS GO WRONG.

Good luck

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

[Removed by poster at 12/02/14 21:34:45]

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By *lacksausage OP Man
over a year ago

Birmingham Airport

The car in question is a kia Sedona 2.9 diesel engine, 04 reg, no service history.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"The car in question is a kia Sedona 2.9 diesel engine, 04 reg, no service history."

Well there you go. You bought a car with no service history and the cam belt is part of the major service, unless the dealer falsely stated it had history then I'd have thought you knew what you were getting in to with it...

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By *otlovefun42Couple
over a year ago

Costa Blanca Spain...

This means I have to fork out about 400 pounds to change it NOW

FELLOW FUCKERS AND SUCKERS, how do I deal with this car dealer?

Firstly does the belt need changing or do you just want to change it for peace of mind? If it is the latter then unless you can prove that he promised to change it you are bolloxed.

So assuming for a moment that it needs changing because it is either showing signs of wear or due to time/mileage on the service intervals, then you need to contact the dealer and ask him to change it. As you have a warranty on the car in law, irrespective of what warranty was given, I would think it would be in the dealers best interests to change it, as he would be liable for any engine damage during the warranty period.

As for the dealer telling you the car had a timing chain rather than a belt. That would be quite difficult to prove, as the dealer would probably deny saying it then it's just your word against his.

I would advise against going to trading standards in the first place as this can not only complicate the issue but get the dealers back up making him only do exactly was is legally required. Depending on the age of the car that could be a lot less than you think.

Save trading standards for a later date if necessary.

I was 25 years in the UK motor trade.

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