2 month old ZS EV LR - several faults and now HV Battery Shut Off

[RhythMick]

I rejected a brand new Skoda due to a bucket load of serious faults that were continuing to re occur. It still took 5 months for them to take the car back. And that was with rejecting it within the first 30 days. The dealer fought back but didn't have a leg to stand on. However they still fought tooth & nail. Skoda UK were brilliant & asked the garage to take the car back but the dealer was defiant. Letters went back & forth, & eventually 5 months later the car was taken back. Skoda were powerless to force the dealer directly to take the car back because my contract was with the dealer, not Skoda UK. However, Skoda did put pressure on the dealer to take the car back & also somewhat kindly gave me compensation for all my trouble. I had to threaten legal action against the dealer to finally get their attention. So good luck. You seem to have a good case in my opinion. You can also get sound legal advice free of charge from Citizens Advice if you are in the UK.

I am in the UK and approaching CA seems to be a sound next step.

If I've started the rejection process before the 6 months am I right in assuming that if the process takes me over the 6 months that won't prevent it from completing?

 

[Data]

Mick, yes that's right. As long as you've begun the process before the 6mths is up, it'll be ok.

 

[RhythMick]

Mick, yes that's right. As long as you've begun the process before the 6mths is up, it'll be ok.

Thanks - the question is, what does "begun the process" mean. I've started the process with the dealer. Do I need to have opened a case with the Ombudsman ?

I'm very much approaching the dealings with the dealer by giving them the opportunity to do the right thing, but in full knowledge that I'll take the next steps if necessary. Maybe I'll give them 4 weeks to react (dated from my email) and if they resist I'll open the case.

 

[Data]

John, I suspect you won't get too much of an issue with this one from the dealer. There has been a clear safety issue here along with other unacceptable recurring faults which has sapped your confidence in the car. In spite of this you have allowed the dealer to attempt repairs, an important factor, but these repairs have failed. This is all undesputable.

You also have plenty of time to get the deed done. Personally I'd have a chat to Citizens Advice. They can tell you exactly what to do & how to go about it. I found them invaluable. They do however quite often have to call you back later in the day or the next day if the specialist you need isn't in the office when you call.

PS. Forgot to say, no you don't need to talk with the ombudsman...yet! The ombudsman is there to settle disputes. Your car faults cannot be disputed in this instance. There is no disputing anything from what you've said. It's nice to know he is there but normally in a case such as yours it's highly unlikely the ombudsman will be needed. I think your letter to the dealer makes things pretty clear but CA also have template letters you can use. It's free of charge advice too as you may know. Give the dealer say...10-14 days to respond in writing. Not 4 weeks, that's too long.

 

[Gadget Geek]

Moneysavingexpert.com also has some useful template letters you can use. I've used a couple myself with excellent results.

 

[fred12345]

get ombudsman involved now. no point waiting.

What are a consumer’s legal rights when buying a car?

Your exact legal rights when buying a car will depend on when you bought it. Click here to find out more information

www.themotorombudsman.org

 

[Data]

get ombudsman involved now. no point waiting.

What are a consumer’s legal rights when buying a car?

Your exact legal rights when buying a car will depend on when you bought it. Click here to find out more information

www.themotorombudsman.org

There isn't much point in getting the ombudsman involved just yet Fred. He is there to settle disputes. But as of now there is no dispute. The garage is aware of Johns situation & hasn't disputed anything. So there is nothing the ombudsman can do just now. Of course if the garage tries to refuse the car rejection then the ombudsman might be interested. In this case I doubt the garage will try to refuse it as they don't really have a leg to stand on. The faults the car has had are all documented & clearly not caused by the owner. John has met all his legal obligations so far in allowing the dealer to attempt to fix these faults but this hasn't worked. His confidence in the car has also been damaged. So the law on this is very clear. Wishing John the best on this & make sure to chat with CA John.

PS. That's a good article you've posted Fred.

 

[RhythMick]

Mick here - with some closure to the saga.

I was going into Wakefield to pick up the car and the MD asked for a chat. As I expected he offered me a trade-in rather than rejecting the car. At first I wasn't very interested but in the end I settled for a chunky discount on the new MGS5 Trophy Long Range. It saves me what might well have been significant hassle. I paid a bit more than I paid for the MG ZS EV in the first place, but it's a significant upgrade and overall I'm happy.

 

[Everest]

result!

 

[Data]

Very pleased for you Mick. I think you've made a good choice in the new MGS5 LR. Do let us all know how you get on. Bests....