What could be wrong with my Fiesta?

[Halifaxmum]

I bought her on Friday - having had a successful test drive and she looked fine.

She starts fine, drives fine, except when in 2nd and 3rd at less than 2000 revs - she judders.

The engine warning light is now on all the time.

I'm going to take her back to the place I bought her from tomorrow. for a diagnostic - how much will this cost? She has no warranty as she is an X reg (2001)

TIA

[Richard1966]

If you bought from a dealer it mattes not that you have no warranty. You are still protected under the Sale of Goods act that they should sell you a car that works. I would strongly suggest that if you bought from a dealer you exercise your right to reject the goods and get a full refund. Accepting a repair could mean you are deemed in law to have accepted the goods. If you bought privately however your stuffed.

[Halifaxmum]

It was from a dealer, but the guy said that, because of changes in trading standards law, if a car is sold without a warranty, they have to put "sold as unfit for purpose" on the receipt.

I guess I've been a fool for believing him?! :(

[mrs_overall]

Give your local Trading Standards Office a ring - I'm sure they will be very interested to hear about this dealer

[Zacs-Master]

Oh dear.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you Richard - I hope you can reply?!

Thanks mrs o - I will see what the dealer say tomorrow, then I will contact TS

[mrs_overall]

Good luck. Can I suggest you take someone with you (this will sound dreadful, but pref a man) so they dont pull the wool further over your eyes.
Let us know how you get on xx

[old-wos-is-name]

Fords are quite cheap to maintain. diagnostics on a x car will be a waste of time, there will probably be loads of faults come up. Problem is likely to be either the coil, the plug leads or something else electrical. They should really fix it, as it must be fit for purpose, sold as seen is not valid anymore. I took a garage to the small claims court for a similar problem, and the preciding officer found in my favour, said the car should have lasted longer than a month.

[Hymie]

The diagnostic check should reveal all – it could be many things; my bet would be an ignition problem (causing the juddering/loss of power) – fouled spark plug/plugs a possibility.

The selling garage should be sympathetic to the problem – given that it has occurred so soon, despite no warranty given.

[TWR]

With respect Hali, you were advised on this purchase, Re/ Your Micra & the problems you had, you have paid the price here I'm sorry to say.

[rozia]

get a refund if you can, do not get repairs done. If they don't give your money back tell them your going to trading standards and small claims court etc

[MantaRay]

If you are lucky it might just require new spark plugs and/or plug leads

[Halifaxmum]

An update for all you lovely people!

I took it into DYL (where I bought it from) - they said all they could do is put it on the Diagnostic for £40+VAT.

I took it down to Charlie Brown's, who put it on the Diagnostic (told me it'd be £25) - they found no faults at all, reset the warning light and charged me 0.

The light is still coming on tho - could the light itself be faulty?

[mrs_overall]

I'm glad to hear it is ok, but please let this be a warning to you!

[NOX]

when you say engine warning light which light is it exactly and is it on all the time?

[Halifaxmum]

mrs o - thanks!

nox - it's the orange light shaped like a battery - i checked in the manual and it says engine warning light - it doesn't flash (which apparently indicates an immediate problem), it is on constantly, but, as i said, the guys at charlie brown's couldn't find a thing wrong...?!?

[Richard1966]

Hi Sorry for the delay getting back. Only pop into the site every few days.

Dealer is talking botox. You have legal protection under sale of goods act. There has been no change in law, in fact the most recent change (which if i recall correctly was the introduction of a EU directive) strengthened consumer rights not weakened them

[Halifaxmum]

Just an update for you!

Ford have found out it is the coil pack that is duff and needs replacing - it has also damaged the plugs, will cost me £250ish to repair.

Wonderful eh?! Don't you just love dishonest car dealers!