New Car Warranty & regional buyers - Who pays for warranty transport?

Lzambuck on 17/03/2014 - 14:43

A family member who lives in a regional area of Qld purchased a new car from the closest dealer for that brand, located about 200kms away. An intermittent fault appears to be occurring (all dash lights go off while driving) and the dealer's initial response was "don't drive the car". Dealer paid for a tow to the dealership, sat on the car a few days and couldn't find any fault.

My question is this. Is it unreasonable to expect the dealer to return the car at their cost, given their advice was to not drive the vehicle? Any ideas about how this kind of situation fits into Australian Conumer Law? ie. If a large item you purchased has a fault, is it your responsibility to transport it to or from the retailer to make a warranty claim?

Automotive

Comments

  • blitz on 17/03/2014 - 16:10

    This is an interesting case. I have no idea but I'd think that if they found a problem, they should pay. But if no fault is found, you can't expect them to pay.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/03/2014 - 21:09

    http://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/consumer-rights-guarantees/…

    Vehicle faults can be difficult to replicate, that doesn't mean for one minute that there isn't a fault. Sounds a lot like a poor electrical connection/earth which might only occur when the car is driven along a roughish road. If they agreed to tow it away then you would expect them to deliver it as well, but it's always best to find these things out in advance. To help resolve the problem try Google AND consult the vehicle's user website(s). You can bet someone else has also had the problem.

  • Cheeper on 18/03/2014 - 00:47

    Lots to consider here…
    When you purchased the car you knew how far the dealer was away from you so you knew that it would be a problem getting warranty and service.
    There are no other dealers closer? It does not have to go to the selling dealer for wty work.
    When purchasing a new or used car some distance from where you live it is worth discussing with the seller about warranty arrangements and getting something in writing to cover it.
    The dealers obligation is to repair any faults. If it is drivable then you have to get it to "a dealer" or other arranged place of service with their approval.
    If the car is unsafe to drive then the dealer is responsible for taking care of transport of local repair.
    When the fault is repaired and the vehicle is safe to drive then I would assume that they have taken care of their obligation?? In other words.. you go and get it.

    In your situation where there was a definite fault noticed and they have failed to locate anything I would be setting a condition that if the problem repeats itself then they should pick it up and also return it. This may make them look a little closer for the fault because it will be costly to them if it returns.

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