CPA on Second hand Car Purchases

[xrapidx]

How many times do we have to say the CPA doesn't apply to private sales.... just one post above yours...

[Napalm]

Sorry for the long letter

I bought a 2nd hand vehicle(2005 Model) -
Bought it on the 22nd of November (Car has a full service history) in Joburg - 105,000 km

Drove down to CPT and not even 10km out of Joburg some warning lights came on (i called the Car dealer, he said i must switch the engine off and wait 2min and start back up) .... Anywho long story short, when i reached CPT i took it to a local place (It ended up being a breaklight switch behind the pedal being faulty)

Car ran fine for the next 3 almost 4months ( until the end of April it started making a funny noise)

The noise sounded like a ticking noise but quite loud (almost like tappits) but the noise quieted down after 1min. (So i left the car in the garage) {Luckily i have more than one vehicle}

The next morning i started it up again, and it did the same. So i phoned Motorinsurance place to find out what the process is to have it looked at. (As i took out a motorplan when i bought the car incase there's issues)

They notified me i must take it to any RMI Approved shop , they can then run diagnostics and have a look.

I took it in 2weeks later. Car was sitting in the garage.... (I couldn't take a day off or get any leave sooner) - So i took it in to have it checked out.

The car dealer in CPT said they think it's the timing chain quote was about R16,000 +- (Timing chain kit + Labour) . Apparently they have to lift out the engine to replace the timing chain.

I phoned the dealer where i bought the car from, mentioned that it will cost about R16,000 to replace, he said he'll call me back the next week. (I never heard back from him)

In the meanwhile i took my car to a 2nd place (As i thought R16,000 is a bit too steep and i'm not 100% sure the timing chain is the problem) . 2nd Place also RMI Approved said its the timing chain aswell (Quoted around R14,500 +-)

Long story short - I had a 3rd company check it out (also RMI Approved) They said it's timing chain too. (All this happend in 1week)

End quote was around R12,000 +-. So i told them to go ahead and replace the timing chain kit.

Once the part arrived 2 weeks later, i was informed that the oil pump chain is also kaput (another R2000) to get that chain and another 2 weeks wait.

Meanwhile no feedback from the Joburg Company Seller (and it's a big company)

After that 2weeks wait.. The parts arrived , they phoned me to inform the oil pump is kaput aswell (so again another 2weeks wait)

Then once the parts finally all arrived, i was called to come have a look..... Apparently there is metal shavings (small pieces of metal fragments right through the engine) - and i need a new engine


I bought the car on the 22nd or 23rd of November 2011 , i gave the car in for repairs on the 21st of May. *so i haven't even driven the car 6months, infact the car has been in repairs the last almost 2months* (But i notified the Joburg car Dealer and my Motorplan company on the 3rd of May 2012 that there's a sound thats not going away)

I received a report from the RMI approved company that my engine needs to be replaced, It is broken beyond economical repair.

Do you guys think i have a case that the CPA will accept (i took photo's of the block where the oilpump slots into, plenty of ridges and marks. Oil Filter is full of metal shavings, Oil Pump has marks on it and 2 little pieces that broke off) -

The Theory is the point of failure was the Oil pump, causing strain on the chains(timing and oil chain). These metal shavings will affect the pistons and crank shaft .... etc.etc.etc.


Any Advise

[xrapidx]

Hmmm - In this case, I'm not sure... purely because the time line is so close to the "6-month quality of goods guarantee" - have you brought up the CPA with the dealer in question, to see how they respond?

With a vehicle, unless the dealer budges easily, I'd say you've got a big battle ahead of you, because they could easily turn around and say its due to neglect...

[Napalm]

couldn't be due to neglect (Car was services just before i got it) - But i phoned the company that did the service. It was a light service.

New Oil, Filters. Thats about it.

I drove the car down from Joburg to CPT (1400km). Then i was able to drive the car for about another 3-4 months as mentioned above.

Then it started making that noise (and immediatly i stopped driving it. It's been in my garage or with the RepairShop since.)

[xrapidx]

Thats where there might be a problem, the dealer is probably going to come back and say there was nothing wrong with the vehicle when they had it serviced (no metal shavings in dirty oil)

Try explain the situation to the dealer, mention the CPA - see how they react, but I'd imagine you're in for an uphill battle, second hand car dealerships are usually a PIA when it comes to after sales service.

[metertph]

A car is usually open for discussion with the dealer for at least the first 2 weeks of driving or the 1st 1000Kms, whichever throws itself first, then Ur a file, not a customer