So my optima is broken. Dealer has had it getting on 7 weeks with no idea of when I'm getting it back. I've spoken to the finance company who have told me to fill in a form which I've done and sent back.

What can/will they do? The dealer has been alright and leant me a car but it's not the car I'm paying quite a bit of money for. And anyhow they would have done the same regardless of how the car was paid for.

I just feel a bit peeved that I'm paying all this money for a car I can't drive and with no resolution in sight.

How serious is the failure, ie does it look like this car will never be as it should or could have been?

 

With or without finance, when a car fails and the garage/dealer agrees to sort it out FOC, then they seem to take the view that they have given you a car so you are losing nothing, maybe even gaining the lack of wear and tear on your own car.

 

One thing you could do is put pressure on them to give you an idea of what/how this car is going to get fixed, then ask for an equivalent car to what you bought, to use as a loan car.

 

The car owners, the finance company will also, if they can be bothered get involved, but one thing, if they say to you that that car is not coming back to you, you might end up paying more for a newer one - can you afford that okay?  Just a thought trying to cover all angles, a bit when you lose out when your car gets written off in as much as you end up paying more a month for basically a new version of the same - something that you did not plan on!

Well so far it has had a slave cylinder, master cylinder, dmf and a few other bits. They have a car that is older with exact same problem which has just had a new gearbox fitted that hasn't cured the problem either apparently. So there is no end in sight!

Sorry could you explain.

Is the car being repaired under a Manufacturers Warranty and a Main Dealer is carrying this work out on behalf of the UK Importers / Manufacturers.

Or are the Dealers or Extended Warranty Company Paying.

 

If it is the Manufacturers Warranty covering repairs then get them on the case of providing a like for like courtesy car, 

or replacing the car.

It is under the Kia 7 year warranty. The problem is (or seems to be) that the manufacturer is saying there is no fault (on the older car with the same problem) based on its age and mileage. The dealer disagrees and can demonstrate that there is a fault...its a problem if you can't select first or second gear I'd say!!

Basically the dealer has said that they can't do anything with my car until this other one is resolved as the fault is exactly the same on both. It's clearly a design fault or something to have 2 cars with exactly the same fault with 2.5 years age gap between them!

I would be inclined to move that car on asap,maybe the dealer could with kia's goodwill make you a decent offer for the car.

 

Then its your choice to buy another car.

 

But Good Luck.

Don't think that that will happen as I'm upside down on the finance. By quite a bit. Will wait and see what happens with the finance company.

Seems like it is worth investing in commissioning an 'Expert Independent Motor Engineers Report' on the car.

 

It will only be a short term expenditure as once you have it and Submit it to KIA UK and start legal proceedings you will be getting the Cost of that refunded to you.

Or maybe they will be prepared to have it given as evidence in a Court.

 

Doubtful that they will though.

Surly if its a gear selection issue and its only affecting first 2 gears then it must be more a selector issue rather than a clutch issue,

 

If the other cars had all lot and it still doing it surly when gear lever is pushed away to first is it gong far enough on top of gearbox to select them,

 

Wonder if they have tried manually selecting gears from under bonnet with cables unplugged off gearbox

Filled in the form, sent it to the finance company. Their response...not their problem as I've had the car a year and done nearly 20k. Therefore fault wasn't there at purchase and nothing there going to do.

Car is 15 months old..I've had it a year. Proper hacked off. Don't even know when I'm getting it back.

Don't know where to go from here.

Edited 7 April, 201610 yr by chris_1d

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What about investing in an Independent Motor Engineers report on the vehicle.

If there are Fundamental Design or Manufacturing / Quality Control issues shown then you can go after the Manufacturer to put things right and cover the Engineers Report, and your costs.

Trading standards?

 

Prove the car isn't fit for purpose (engineers report) and TS should back you up that it's reasonable to expect a car to last longer than 18 months  / 20k miles.

 

I'd also start to loudly mention adverse publicity to Kia and then write to Watchdog / Honest John etc.

 

Do you have legal cover on your car or home insurance? If so you'll be able to to get free legal advice through that.

I've been thinking about this a bit more. Kia are fixing this under warranty that covers the car for manufacturing defects. Therefore I'm thinking that that kinda proves that Kia are accepting the car was faulty at time of purchase.

I don't want to reject the car I just don't feel I should have to pay the finance for the period I haven't had it (9 weeks ish)