Originally Posted by JDM_Stig (Post 11814770)

Being honest, who buys a car and doesn't go under the bonnet to check fluids?

you may think it sounds harsh but as quote " a very experienced car owner, including much more exotic cars than the 350. I could immediately see the problem - the bonnet catch mechanism was totally rusted and gunged up"
You didnt even bother to pop open the bonnet and check for leaks or the levels of the fluids in a car new to you, that you knew next to nothing about,

all your problems would not have happened if you had spent a few minutes on your new car,
wire brush and squirt of lube . . .

Originally Posted by DaveR (Post 11814739)

Oh and to add insult to injury, I've just found out that the supposedly 'HPI clear' car they sold me .... has outstanding finance on it.

Originally Posted by ScoobyWon't (Post 11814778)

You didn't HPI check it yourself?

Originally Posted by DaveR (Post 11814739)

Hey guys,

I've run out of patience attempting to negotiate with these crooks now, so I wanted to make sure I'd given you all fair warning - best avoid Junction17 cars in Peterborough at all costs. They have a fancy showroom filled with tempting various brand sportscars, so they crop up in various online ads and searches.

Just over 2 weeks ago I traded in my mint Abarth 595 plus some cash for a leggy 2008 350Z. I went into the purchase with my eyes open on a 2008 car with 70-odd K miles on the clock (in other words I didn't expect perfection!), but negotiated a fresh MOT and service for the day before I picked the car up. Exchange and handover went OK on the day and aside from a promise from the dealership to send on the missing satnav DVD later as well as to arrange for the fixing of a dent in the wing and a chip in the windscreen, I left and drove home fairly satisfied. I also bought their full aftermarket warranty. Drive home went OK, no terrible noises, but I stuck on the motorway and kept it slow whilst I got used to the new car.

The following day I went out for a drive in the evening. Doing about 60mph on a bumpy single carriage A road (yes no more than 60 - I had literally just started accelerating on a clear stretch), when the bonnet flew up with a crash, smashing into the windscreen and roof and obscuring my vision. Needless to say I was pretty shaken up, and could have been killed if it had happened in the fast lane of the motorway, but luckily I managed to bring the car to a blind stop safely. There was massive damage to the bonnet (it had inverted with the impact), the car roof had 5-6 large dents, and both front wing panels had been damaged where the bonnet hinges had folded back under pressure.

I managed to limp the car the short way home and assessed the damage. I couldn't believe that the bonnet had flown open at speed, or that somehow I would have failed to have shut it, despite always being very careful about that sort of thing and being a very experienced car owner, including much more exotic cars than the 350. I could immediately see the problem - the bonnet catch mechanism was totally rusted and gunged up, so much so in fact that it looked like it would have trouble ever engaging fully. The secondary/safety catch was also suspect, since it could move it to the 'open' position and it wouldn't spring closed as it should, due to the rusty condition.

I was shocked and appalled that only the day before the car had been given a clean pre-sale inspection by Junction17 cars, as well as an MOT from their local pet MOT station. I called them up and asked them to rectify the damage. They refused. They also refused to accept the car back as a reject/refund, since I had supposedly damaged it. Apparently I must have driven off with the bonnet open (no explanation of how the secondary catch also failed), and also, since i had driven home from the dealership on the day of purchase OK, it was allegedly clearly no longer their problem.

Obviously I argued the toss but their sales manager Jamie was rude, sarcastic and somehow obsequious all at the same time which really got my back up. I eventually found a different email address for their 'customer care' manager but over the last two weeks have gotten no joy through that route either, aside from a supposed 'goodwill offer' for me to go and have the car fixed in their garage - at my own cost! They seem to have literally no regard for the significant safety issues with the car they sold me, and therefore no regard for the safety of their customers, viewing it instead as a financial issue they would rather just ignore.

A few days after the incident I rang the AA and was recommended to have a £195 'engineers report' done by their recommended agency, Dekra. I arranged for this to be done and their engineer was as appalled as I was. His report is damning and concludes with the statement 'The deficiencies in the bonnet catch operation should have been identified both in any reasonably accomplished pre-sale inspection but crucially should have been identified on the MOT test inspection as a point of failure on primary catch function.'

Junction17 still refuse to take any responsibility whatsoever, and have now referred the matter to their lawyers. They are obviously well used to having disgruntled customers!
I've now referred the matter to Trading Standards who are also taking it seriously, since it relates to personal safety as much as a breach of consumer rights.

I've had two insurance quotes, both stating the need for a new roof, bonnet, two front wings, windscreen and painting. Estimates vary from £3300 to over 5000.
Oh and to add insult to injury, I've just found out that the supposedly 'HPI clear' car they sold me .... has outstanding finance on it.

Please take my advice and steer well clear of the cowboys at Junction17. They have some shiny cars so you may well be tempted in there. Don't say I didn't warn you. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

Originally Posted by DaveR (Post 11814775)

Fair observation, especially given what I wrote. But I did actually pop the hood and check fluids - in fact I did that whilst I was still on the premises before even driving the car home. Unfortunately I did (clearly) miss the issue with the catch itself though. Remember though that things like that are the remit of the MOT to catch - in the heat of the moment anyone can miss anything (in other words I didn't have the same checklist that the MOT station did ... and clearly the safety catch was 'good enough' that it lasted my initial trip home).

Originally Posted by dpb (Post 11814936)

yes if they've flogged you a car with finance outstanding at the very least their reputation is finished

Originally Posted by Ste RB5138 (Post 11815289)

Thats what I cant believe, a place that sells £60k Bentleys has cars with outstanding finance for sale.

Damn shame whats happened to the 350Z :(

Originally Posted by steve05wrx (Post 11815356)

Remember - they could be selling cars on commission and don't actually own them.

Originally Posted by dpb (Post 11815378)

Well you could extend this , to say that nobody actually owns anything ...!
except the bank

its on their forecourt !

Originally Posted by BBB3 (Post 11815379)

I know of a lot sales places that does S.O.R and its very popular :thumb:

Originally Posted by scooby k (Post 11815397)

whats SOR