I decided to change my car for a double cab pickup with a tow bar at the end of December.
This is so I've got plenty of space when doing the motorbike racing, will come in handy when I have the space to start the locost in anger, and can still be used as an everyday vehicle (as apposed to a van).

There seemed to be a good deal going from this place http://www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/_the4x4.htm
in Todmorden, and so I traded in my car. However it turns out that the pickup I got is not exactly roadworthy (even though they said it had a long MOT which turned out to be just 1 month!).

They said they would MOT the vehicle and make any repairs, so I took it back to them on January 7th. They said it would be ready in a week.

I called after a week and they said it was still being done, take another couple of days...

Call back after a couple of days, and I either get the same story, or they say they'll find out and call me back - and never have done once!

So this has gone on now for 5 weeks, and I have been without a car for 6 weeks (they always say that their courtesy cars are all out).

I am at my wits end, but they really are taking the p**s, I really do hate people who tell bare faced lies over the phone. I have sent one mildly threatening letter which they have completely ignored.

Next step is a solicitors letter and go through the courts to get my money (and expenses) back, but this will take months and I am stuck without a vehicle.

Any suggestions???

Wonder how many other people they are messing around?? Balaclava and some DOT 4??

If I've understood things correctly, if nothing else you should still have your basic statutrory (i know that's spelt wrong) rights about goods being fit for the purpose they were bought for etc. So should get at least a full refund. Not so sure about hassle caused, travel expenses etc.

Go down there and talk to them face to face.

Often much better done face to face, a lot harder to squirm. also have your facts written down so you can quote them. Work your way through them one by one ....... its easier to dismiss 10 facts at once, a lot harder one by one ......

also do it on a saturday - if they have other customers who are listening to this tale of woe they are going to be a lot more likely to agree and get rid of you.

Also helps if you know your rights but only quote them as a last resort, otherwise you'll get there backs up and they might just say "so sue us then".

finally, get your money back, aim for more but compromise that way they feel they have got something out of you and you've got what you wanted.

Once everything is settled, go and complain to all who'll listen. that they they might get investigated and someone else doesn't have to put up with this.

(if it doesn't get settled still complain but document everything now so you don't forget, its hard to argue with written down facts about when you called, who you spoke to etc etc)

Try your local trading standards office. They usually can get things moving.

Nitram said the magic words "Trading Standards" they love dodgy car dealers.
Just phone them and give them the details, you will be surprised how much clout they have.

Alex

ive had similar experience of this from another angle. i used to do all the repair work for a reasonable sized 4x4 used dealer who had two sites one for all the 4x4,s and another for the trade ins. i seemed to do much more work on the trade ins to turn them around ready for re sale than the 4x4,s ythe reasoning being that the trade in is where the money is once a deal is done your best bet is like everyone says is speak to them face to face and if it was me get your old car back and put the experience behind you because if the car you bought was a bit of a lemon your going to have to deal with this prick over and over again until your warranty runs out which isnt usualy more than a couple of months and the clock started ticking when you bought it i stopped doing business with him when he started sending mileage correction specialists to my garage to (correct) his vehicles

When you do the 'Face to Face' , take a dictaphone (spelling?) with you. Pop it on the guys desk and say " you wont mind if I record this conversation will you ? ".

It works so well.

How did you pay for the vehicle?
As others have said 'Trading Standards' - they do vary as do Citizens Advice. Keep records/Transcripts of absolutely everything. Small claims court should suffice, don't involve a solicitor unless you really have to - 9 times out of 10 you'll not find one who has particular expertise and you will pay him/her just to brush up on the regs. Good Luck.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a feeling legal action is my only way out of this now, trading standards were not very helpful and passed me on to consumer direct who weren't much use.

I'm obviously not the first person they have messed around, came across this on another forum:
http://www.t595.net/messageboard/thread.asp?thread=25687

They trade as the 4x4 Warehouse but the company seems to be registered (and advertise) under The Todmorden Trade Centre...

Will try one last final time tomorrow to get an honest answer from them about whats going on (fat chance!) and then its over to the solicitor!