New Car Purchase, Some Things Not Working. Should The Dealer Cover The Costs?

[puddlejumper]

So I've just bought a 2003 V35 Skyline, and had it shipped to WA from NSW by the dealer. I had it third party inspected, but never test drove it myself. The CD player does not work, and the CD I put in it is jammed, and makes a noise everytime I turn the ignition on. On top of that, I was told a band extender would be put on the radio, it was not. I am currently considering putting a tape in, just so I have something to listen to...yeah it's gotten to that point.

Looks like a band extender is $100-$200 and the CD jam will be $550-$650 according to these forums.

What can I reasonably expect to happen? Is the dealer obligated to cover the expenses I will incur fixing these things?

[Nightcrawler]

1st step is take it up with the inspector. It is their job to find these things out, and what you pay them for. The guy who inspected mine discovered the broken audio unit, so they replaced it. However my guy didn't realise the central locking didn't work and I never chased up anyone about it, so it still doesn't work (well, intermittently anyhow) 2 years later

Yes, every 2nd hand dealer has a statutory 3 month warranty on every vehicle they sell. If they don't want to play ball, tell them you have spoken with Consumer Affairs and they advised that the dealer fix it quick smart, otherwise they will be getting a letter from the ACCC.

My advice is if you can get the $600(ish) out of them install a Nissan double din kit and put a nice touch screen DVD player/radio in like I did similar to this : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/260817904589?hlp=false

For a small amount of out of pocket coin you will have a good setup.

[Stuart McK]

My advice is if you can get the $600(ish) out of them install a Nissan double din kit and put a nice touch screen DVD player/radio in like I did similar to this : http://www.ebay.com....04589?hlp=false

Disagree. The dealer is only obligated to 'make good'. In other words, if there is a CD player and the car is sold with all kit advised in working order then they are obliged to make it work - they can do this by installing a KMart special. And the guy who checked it out is just to ensure that no major issues exist and alert you to it so a decision is made with full knowledge *before* you commit. If they did not pick up this fundamental issue, then they may be worth pursuing but I suspect it's not worth your time - best spent on the dealer.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how honest the dealer is. Some will go beyond their 3 month responsibility to maintain good customer reputation. That is what you need to work on. Mention that you have sought advice from this Australia-wide car forum as to dealer responsibilities, and that the consensus is that they must make good which is why you are pursuing this. Advise you are seeking OEM replacement. That may put the Fear of God into them and then you can negotiate a half-way with 2nd hand (but working) OEM - aim for kit from a Series 2 (it works better). If there is perception of lost business from others in the forum ( and word gets around), they may think twice in mucking you around.

But be careful to make it sound non-threatening (suck it in initially) - if they think they've already lost you they won't work so hard to keep you on-side.

Edited August 14, 2011 by Stuart McK

[zei20l]

What can I reasonably expect to happen? Is the dealer obligated to cover the expenses I will incur fixing these things?

have you actually contacted the dealer to see what they say about it? chances are this was a waste of a thread and they will either fix it, or send you somewhere and pay the bill etc.

sorry to make this sound rude, but thats what will probably happen lol