Hi,
Yesterday I purchased a second hand van from a Citroen garage in Bern.
We went Saturday and test drove it and all seemed fine.
However on the way home at higher speeds there was a lot of free play in the steering wheel and when I lifted the throttle on a bend the van would fight to go straight - signs of replacement track rod ends.
Additionally there were 2 headlight bulbs out and the interior lights do not work - things I didnt think to check when buying from a dealer. The lights I have sorted myself, not such a problem, but I specifically asked them to check over the van to ensure it was fully safe, which clearly they did not.
So last night when I got back from collecting the van I emailed the garage explaining the issue. The response received this afternoon was 'as we reduced the price by 1000chf to what was advertised, it was OK sat when I test drove so there is no guarantee with the van and they are sorry.
I am not clued up on law here, but this is an official citroen dealer, I went to a dealer as I wanted something which was safe.
Tonight I took a video of the track rod end, there is a ridiculous amount of movement which I will send to the garage.

Would anyone know if there response is in-line with regulations here?
I would expect to buy a road legal van from an authorised dealer

Thanks

Arghh no point telling you about repenting at leisure...

If I were you I'd pay for the Touring Club Suisse to do a full inspection ASAP (I know, too late- but would have been a good idea to have one done before buying..). Which garage is it? Perhaps would be possible to get another Citroen dealer outside Neuchâtel (perhaps near me up in the mountains and ask them to do inspection) - but those guys are ll supporting each other- and may not paly ball. Got visitors arriving- but could possibly help you talk to garage next Thursday or Friday? I also know a couple of independent garages near here I can trust who could make a small charge to put on ramp and take a good look. M*rde.

I know it seems it is my mistake, I'd like to know if their reply is legal and they are not required by law to sell me a road worthy vehicle?

I got it from GARAGE MARTI KEHRSATZ AG
If I get nowhere with the garage then I will contact you.
If you could advise reliable honest garages you use that would be a great help

Thanks

You bought a van without any guarantee, what don't you understand?

Thanks for such a constructive reply Fatman!

where is that garage then? The local Citroen garage is Hotz in Travers- otherwise there is a really nice and trustworthy Subaru garage, Sauser, in Fleurier- or my small independent garage nearby.

Yes, but you did get some sort of guarantee didn't you??

www.citroen-marti.ch

Belpstrasse 30A
3122 Kehrsatz

So had they not reduced the price by CHF 1000 there would have been a guarantee?

Or was there never a guarantee, "...and by the way, don't forget you knocked us down CHF 1000 (unheard of in Switzerland) you cheeky sod"

Either way it shouldn't cost that much to get it sorted at a decent garage across the border. Good luck

As in his reply email, there is no guarantee.

My question is, are they permitted by law, as a professional garage, to sell an un-roadworthy vehicle where they have told me in writing that it has been checked?

I specifically asked that the vehicle be 100% safe to drive.

Yes perfectly legal to sell a piece of shit.

Out of interest how much did you pay the van, how old is it & how many KM's.
When was the last MFK.

The real question is, did it pass a recent MFK? I guess it did in which case it was legal to sell it in that state (sold as seen).

It's quite possible to sell a vehicle with an old MFK, sounds like the OP picked up a van that the dealer had taken in PX, rather than nearly new main dealer stock.

MFK was 1 year ago and the van was 6K
If it is legal for a main dealer garage to sell an un-roadworthy vehicle and watch you drive away, then thats all I need to know.

I think FMF is right, it sounds like a PX because CHF 6k isn't main dealer prices at all. That stock is very much sold as seen and priced to sell, their expensive mechanics haven't got time for that

You could ask Citröen headquarters Suisse for advice, http://www.citroen.ch/fr/contact/con...clamation.html

Yes perfectly legal in CH, in the UK it would be called a trade sale.

You road tested the car, so you should have realised the overall responsiveness of the steering.

What were the terms and conditions of the sale?

Something to peruse; I don't know if it applies to car sales, but the last sentence might apply.

https://www.konsum.admin.ch/en/faq/1...-faulty/#c1231

I would investigate further as there might be some law similar to the sales of goods act in the UK.

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-righ...what-can-i-do-

You could take it to Garage Storrer in Cornaux for them to have a look at. They are very helpful and friendly and won't rip you off. They'll tell you if it's roadworthy.

You should really have got it checked or at least got a guarantee before buying it but hindsight is a wonderful thing.