Car Not Starting after Being Assessed by Dealer

lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 08:22

Hello Ozbargainers,

Seeking some advice on my current situation.

I currently drive (or drove) a 2005 Renault Megane, it's not the best thing going around, but it runs (ran) nicely, getting me from A to B without issues.

Yesterday I went to have a look for a new car and got the Renault assesed for a trade in, admittedly I knew I was getting peanuts for it, but it was just easier. Negotiations went decently, but I wasn't in a position to buy on the day without weighing up my options.

I know they did drive it around the block to an external assessor and back and came back telling me it's honestly not worth much, which I knew, however they did not report any MAJOR issues such as not being able to start.

Now after going back to my car, it wouldn't start at all. It did feel like something had gone on with the starter motor, since none of the drive belts were spinning when trying to start it up. Everyone from the dealer was leaving at this time, they did try to give me a hand, but couldn't start it, so I've left it there overnight.

I'm wondering what my legs are to stand on. The dealer has tried to shift the blame to the assessor (at that time they had already left), however I'm not exactly sure of the company structure either. Obviously now that the car doesn't work I do lose some leverage in negotiation, however I do feel they should be accountable to some extent. I do understand it is an old car and things like this happen, however I left the car there working, and came back with it not starting.

What are everyones thoughts of the situation and what I should do next?

*I'll leave the dealer unnamed for now

Automotive

Comments

  • oscargamer on 03/04/2016 - 08:28
    +3

    it's not like it was a dent or physical damage they did

    i'm afraid you haven't got a leg to stand on (unless they removed the starter motor or fuel or something)

    • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 08:35

      Yeah thats what I'm thinking :( Just hoping they can help out tbh

      • oscargamer on 03/04/2016 - 08:39

        once you find out what the issue is, then MAYBE (if you can prove it was them) you can talk to them about it…..

        hopefully it's not an expensive break

        but an 11 year old Megane - if you've had it that long, you've done well !

        • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 08:46
          +1

          It's been mine for 2 years.

          Thing is that it can be any issue, to fix i would be more costly then the car itself if its anything more then a fuse of some sought.

    • eatwell365 on 03/04/2016 - 08:48
      +2

      Call road service/mobile mechanic. If not club member, pay the $100+ (check) call out, so to identify issue. If caused by dealer, let them know on the spot.

      did the start motor make cranking noise at all?
      battery? fuse box? Ignition? sensors? just few simple things to start.

      surely you would have check gear not in D for auto.

  • Davros on 03/04/2016 - 08:49
    +1

    What did the RACQ or their state equivalent say?
    You are a member right?

    • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 10:08

      Yeah the circumstances last night meant it would have taken too long to get them out, and I had other things to do. Going to get it called out after work this afternoon.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/04/2016 - 09:08
    +6

    id be more inclined to just say its a little bad luck or maybe a sign telling you to upgrade the old girl

    maybe she was cranky you were trading it in

    • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 10:07
      +1

      Haha that's exactly what I thought!

      I guess if you're not going to laugh you're going to cry. Having a good laugh at my own expense :P

      It was my first car, and obviously it wasn't the smartest decision to get that as a first, but that's passed now. Learnt a lot from it as well, so that was fun :)

    • Davros on 03/04/2016 - 11:25

      shawncro 222 2 hours 18 min ago
      maybe she was cranky you were trading it in

      My car has gone the other way.
      Threatened to get rid of her and she is running better and more economically than ever so she stays…………for now.

      • [Deactivated] on 03/04/2016 - 13:36

        i had a Ford like that
        threatend it and she would start

        funny enough it had a very similar fault
        ended up being a bad relay

  • try2bhelpful on 03/04/2016 - 09:18

    Interestingly enough we had something similar. We put our car in to get it serviced and once they got hold of it for the service it wouldn't start either. We ended up having to spend and extra couple of grand getting it working again. Given it started OK when we sent it to them it does make you wonder what happened.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/04/2016 - 09:24
      +1

      theres so many factors
      you cant prove the dealer did anything on the 11yo car

      my suggestion would be checking battery / relay / fuses then starter motor

      maybe a spark plug died / maybe a lead has come off due to hitting a pot hole

      theres so many factors here

      bad luck happens to anyone at anytime

      maybe the battery dropped a cell or had suffered failure on the day

      how old is the battery
      bring a multimeter with you or even another battery

      they didnt leave the lights on possibly flattening the battery

      check the above ideas first

      if you have an auto club membership bring them out to test the battery etc

      • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 10:09

        There was definitely battery as the thing has power. It cranks as well. But honestly as you said it can be anything.

        • airzone on 03/04/2016 - 13:02

          It cranks and yet the belts don't move? The belt is slipping? Or is the pulley not moving on the starter (indicating something has sheered off).

  • oscargamer on 03/04/2016 - 11:08

    did they give you a trade in value for your Megane?

    might be worth accepting their offer !!! :)

    • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 12:00

      Yeah it was a decent offer. Should see if they'll still take it lol

  • JH100 on 03/04/2016 - 11:40
    -2

    Your car runs fine until you go to dealer for trade in and after they drive it it stops running which means they have your car trapped on lot and value of it plummeted?

    Some car dealers are just con men and I'd say that's what's happening here. A mobile mechanic will probably find the 'fault' (probably a disconnected wire or fuse) in minutes.

    Name these f****** and help other OzBr's avoid the same or similar trouble.

    • Peace Maker on 03/04/2016 - 12:12
      +5

      I think it's a bit early for the pitchforks. Wait and see what the issue was first. Could be anything and just coincidental.

      • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 19:38

        Agreed, it's hard to really know who should be accountable in this situation, for all I know it could just be one of those things with an 11 year old car. May be just unfortunate and a complete coincidence.

        I'll speak to the dealer tomorrow to see what they can do for me, as I actually did want to buy a car from them. Possibly a gesture of goodwill, we will see.

        • JH100 on 04/04/2016 - 07:41

          To be so understanding is not a good place to negotiate from. Used car dealers didn't get their reputation for nothing, no coincidence there.

          Would be interested to know how this actually turns out, if you follow it through with due diligence.

  • lambsie on 03/04/2016 - 19:40

    Thanks for the help everyone, the car is still where it is before I weigh up my options.

    Did have the NRMA have a look at it, car cranks, has ignition and spark; but no compression. Could be anything still, but some issues have been ruled out. Not a mechanic, don't know too much about cars, so it wouldn't be right for me be be a doctor google.

    • eatwell365 on 03/04/2016 - 22:48

      Check this wig breakdown of [reasons].(http://www.caradvice.com.au/37/car-doesnt-start-engine-doesn…

    • BargainBagman on 04/04/2016 - 08:27

      Probably a snapped/slipped timing belt if compression is gone.

      Cost to replace/fix depends on if it's an 'interference' engine or not.

      If it is, then bent valves and usually bye bye engine.

      If its not then probably $400 upwards to replace the belt+tensioner at a cheap mechanic.

      If their 'assessment' included reving the guts out of it, then that could have caused an old belt to slip a few teeth and the cams are no longer in time with the crankshaft.

      Did nrma mention if you had fuel pressure or if injectors were firing? Because if not, it might only be a disconnected crank angle sensor and that takes 30 seconds to fix.

      Would be a simple way to disable the car that is not easy to see / test without an obd2 diagnostic tool.

      Good luck with it anyway.

      • lambsie on 04/04/2016 - 08:53

        Unfortunately injectors were firing, and had fuel pressure. I have a bad feeling it is the timing belt, if thats the case, then the car is gone.

        Would cost more then the value of the car to get that fixed. A french car at a cheap mechanic? I wish haha :(

        At this stage, I'm hoping they will just take it, they'll get some money from rego and green slip. I'll just have to see what can be done, heading over now.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/04/2016 - 06:35

    Car cranks then it rules out the starter motor.
    Need to check the fuel line/ filter and or injectors.

  • lambsie on 04/04/2016 - 09:22

    Again thanks everyone for all your opinions, just love the Ozbargain community when it comes to advice!

    I really do have a feeling it is a timing belt that has gone, as the fuel lines are still pumping and I can smell the raw fuel.

    In this case, what does everyone think my best options are?

    I know to fix a timing belt I'm looking at more then $1000. I find that pointless if the car is worth about the same. I can get a few hundred back on rego and green slip, but how would I go about getting rid of the car?

    I'm heading to the dealer now to see what they can do for me. Haha should have taken the offer they gave!!!

    • JH100 on 04/04/2016 - 09:32

      Your best option is to stop speculating and get an 'independent' mechanic/RAC to check it.

      • lambsie on 04/04/2016 - 12:07

        Yes it's been assessed by nrma. They guy said it's most likely a timing belt that has jumped.

        • eatwell365 on 07/04/2016 - 06:04

          did you get the car towed or NRMA did a temp fixed so you can drive home?

    • spychiatrist on 07/04/2016 - 21:33

      Could be the same as what happened to the Camry I mentioned in another thread. Car cranks, fuel smells, but won't start: blown engine. Did you check reservoir and radiator if full? If not, remove radiator cap and start engine. If fluid is pumped out, then engine is gone.

      If you'll dispose the car and feeling generous, donate iut to charity: Kids Under Cover. You'll get a tax credit for doing so. They'll tow the car for free.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2016 - 20:04

    Renaults have a habit of TDC (top dead centre or crank) sensor failure. If your not getting spark then that's probably it. Could also explain if all injectors are pulsing at the same time. Don't blame the dealer unless there's proven negligence.

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