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A string of bad luck

SPCleaning

Well-known member
Messages
1,359
Location
Devon
Just in case any of you had a bad day, I thought I'd tell you of my last three weeks.

I went into the fuel station and filled up the van with diesel. (It is a diesel by the way) Drove two hundred yards and shudder, shudder, stop. I tried to start it but it was not having it. I couldn't have broken down in a worst stop. The street was busy and very narrow. It was causing traffic chaos. I called the AA and was told they would be an hour and I called the police to advise of the obstruction my van was causing.

After about an hour the AA turned up, grinned and sniffed my fuel tank. Then he looked disappointed. I know am stupid but not so much so that I'd put in the wrong fuel. However after a tow to my local mechanic and a description of the break down it is declared that the Diesel pump has failed.

Oh well says I throw another one one.

After the laughter died down it was explained that a new pump was about £800 plus fitting so a bill of about £1200. More than my van was worth.

The next week was spent searching for a van. There is a lot of rubbish vans out there. I viewed loads and walked away.

The following week I drove past a small village garage where they were selling vans. I was on my way to view yet another beaten up transit, so decide to have a look before I continued. Nope everything was too small. Except a Vauxhall Vivaro on 08 plate very nice looking no dents and shiny.

I ignored it, got to be too expensive. But they walked me around it and told me they would do it for £3000. I drove it and really liked it. So agreed to have it.

When I returned two days later to pay they told me there was no warranty. I should have put my money back in my pocket, but I needed a van and this one looked good.

It has broken down four times. It is leaking oil suddenly, the hand-brake failed and the back doors wont open.

As there is no warranty my local mechanic is my only option. So it has had a new crankshaft sensor. The hand-brake needed new cables. A crack in the engine casing has been treated to chemical metal. It is booked in to have part of the casing removed and reset with 'proper' sealing paste.

In between I have refitted all the window cleaning kit, and I don't feel very lucky at the moment.

However, I have been drinking plenty of red wine.

 
I'am not 100% certain but I am sure by law or trading standards that garages have to give 3 months warranty.I could be wrong but I purchased a car last year and it came with a years warranty but it was something the garage owner said.

It could be a little late as well but if you still have the first van get a second opinion.

I had an old Vauxhall combo years ago that would cut out on me when driving.

I took it to a garage that said it was the fuel pump and at £900 plus I would be better to scrap it.

I enquired about a new fuel pump at my local Vauxhall main dealer where the bloke said "don't bring it here we are £90 an hour try these" and passed me a number.

I phoned up and took the van to the garage the Vauxhall guy recommend who fixed the fault for £25 quid and I never had a problem again had I listened to the first guy I could have wasted over a grand on it.

 
Agree with the above

When I was doing a lot off buying and selling we had a legal right to provide 3 months warranty with every used vehicle even if sold on eBay

That is unless they stated spares or repair

Keep a documented record and all receipts

Take this to the garage and tell them unless they will offer something then trading standards will be the next step and small claims action and solicitors as well as contacting the local paper

They shouldn't won't he hassle

How much mot came with the van?

 
Welcome back @SPCleaning. Long time see.

Blimey, hope your luck picks up. Can only just echo the above comments. I would also be telling them in getting in contact with the local papers etc unless something is done.

 
Agree with the aboveWhen I was doing a lot off buying and selling we had a legal right to provide 3 months warranty with every used vehicle even if sold on eBay

That is unless they stated spares or repair

Keep a documented record and all receipts

Take this to the garage and tell them unless they will offer something then trading standards will be the next step and small claims action and solicitors as well as contacting the local paper

They shouldn't won't he hassle

How much mot came with the van?
It does have full years MOT.

 
Ok so is there anything else wrong that shouldn't have passed mot?

Lot little garages use the same mot centre and send lot work there way but they let things slide

If so you will have some good bantering tools

 
Welcome back @SPCleaning. Long time see.Blimey, hope your luck picks up. Can only just echo the above comments. I would also be telling them in getting in contact with the local papers etc unless something is done.
Yes I know I've not been around much lately, but I have a busy life. My wife and I are Foster Carers which means that I attend a lot of meetings with Social Workers and other partner agencies. We are building a single storey extension to provide two downstair bedrooms. We were quoted £35000, so we are slowly doing it ourselves. This will mean we can take more children. The building work is taking all our spare cash so thats why I had such a small budget for replacing the van.

I'm Chairman of the Parish Council and have my door knocked by parishioners with various problems that need sorting as well as the council meetings and I have to fit cleaning windows in too!

So this was why I stepped down as a Moderator, and now I just pop in and out to catch up with you guys.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I know that they should provide a warranty, and I know I should have walked away, but I messed up. I know if I contact trading standards there would be a whole heap of trouble for them. If I get my Mechanic to sort things he will do it right or as right as he can. They will probably just bodge it and send me away. Once these issues are sorted it will be a nice van. (He crosses his fingers)

Its all kitted out now and ready to work, it will be sign-written in October so I'm trying to be positive.

 
Yep I bet lots of us have done it.

I've had loads of cars over the years and I instead of giving them a thorough inspection and checking important things such as cambelt changes etc. The part of you takes over that just wants the car you overlook everything and just hand over the money in blind faith. I've been very luck I've never spent more than a a couple of hundred on any vehicle I've owned but they are all ticking time bombs

 
I am the other way

I always check thoroughly

Even go as far as opening oil filler cap and smelling

If it smells like toast walk away

Used to buy and sell cars with my dads mate as a sideline

Go to auctions and get one cheap

Tart it up and flog it

 
I am the other wayI always check thoroughly

Even go as far as opening oil filler cap and smelling

If it smells like toast walk away

Used to buy and sell cars with my dads mate as a sideline

Go to auctions and get one cheap

Tart it up and flog it
I think that's about the only check I do checking oil/water for mayonnaise.

Mind you if there dodgy sellers they would most likely do an engine flush before selling.

Once bought one than never got warm heaters. Should have checked but I didn't. On inspection the thermostat had been removed and yep soon as I replaced it the thing started overheating. So I took it back our and flogged it on.

 
If it smells like well done toast then there has been a problem with running with no or very little oil

Even if flushed it is a very hard smell to get rid of

Also i change the cambelt on whatever i buy no matter what the age straight away as you never know if it is ok or not

It depends on the car Adam

If it's an ecotec engined astra and several other motors it will always have " mayonaise" if driven locally all the time and not got a chance to get properly driven on a motorway as it is a common thing with those engines

I would be more worried about the oil on the dipstick not being too watery and checking for bubbles coming through the header tank from the exhaust

 
nice to see SP back

big welcome back to you pal, nowt worse when there is problems with new vans,just bought one few months back ,that was the the fuel pump knackered first week

private sale too but the guy was genuine and paid full price for pump

 
Yes I know I've not been around much lately, but I have a busy life. My wife and I are Foster Carers which means that I attend a lot of meetings with Social Workers and other partner agencies. We are building a single storey extension to provide two downstair bedrooms. We were quoted £35000, so we are slowly doing it ourselves. This will mean we can take more children. The building work is taking all our spare cash so thats why I had such a small budget for replacing the van.I'm Chairman of the Parish Council and have my door knocked by parishioners with various problems that need sorting as well as the council meetings and I have to fit cleaning windows in too!

So this was why I stepped down as a Moderator, and now I just pop in and out to catch up with you guys.
In regard to the extension you're building, you may be able to get a council grant for this. We did.

 
Every fault on a car or van can be hidden

I've sold lot of cars over the years and still dropped the odd clanger

Don't feel bad sp it's easy and buying from a garage you put trust in them

 

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