Chances of redress slim post-warranty

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From KT: We have a Hyundai Trajet and we find that we need to use the back seats and the boot most of the time. The problem with this is that with the seven seats up, the boot is very limited. I want to buy a new car as I know how tough family life can be on these type of cars. I’m hoping to get about 14,000 for my own 2004 Trajet, and add another 30,000 from savings/loan. Just wondering if you have any tips for cars to test?

Two cars would come to mind, but first I would suggest you budget for a little less on the trade-in value, due to the tough market conditions. One reason would be the price of new models in this range, which in a way benefits you as well.

Two cars that might be worth trying are the Hyundai Montana, if you have a good relationship with your local Hyundai dealer. It’s a van really, albeit a comfortable one, but spacious inside. The other is the Seat Alhambra.

However, by far the biggest surprise is the price of a new Renault Espace, the grandaddy of the people carriers and still one of the most functional and stylish family transporters around.

You can get the regular Espace for €36,990 now, and the Grand Espace – with 456 litres of bootspace even with all seven seats in use – for €39,990.

Just to put that in perspective, this same car was at least €50,000 for the entry-level version in January 2008. While the price drop is no doubt painful for those who bought back then, it’s remarkable value for you now.

From N Molyneaux: Having read about the launch of the new 1.6-litre diesel VW Golf in your Motors supplement some time ago, I was wondering when the car actually goes on sale in Ireland?

The car is not expected in Ireland until late in the year, and prices will not be confirmed until the final official emissions figure is confirmed for the car. We will keep you posted.

From DH: Just what are my rights after having bought a used car?

I purchased such a car several months ago, but just two months since its dealer warranty ran out it has started to cut out on me. Is there anything I can do about it? How do I go about getting a refund?

This is not the first query of this kind we’ve received over the years – and unlikely to be the last.

The dealer is responsible for the sale and merchantable quality of the vehicle.

However, in terms of a a refund, it depends on the length of time you have had the car, and I suspect if the warranty has run out, you might not have much luck seeking that sort of redress.

You have rights under the Sale of Goods Act, but they have a statute of limitations, normally of two years. It’s unlikely that, if you have had the car for any length of time, the seller is going to be forced to refund you the entire amount, but they can be made fix the problems.

The ultimate issue under the Act is whether the car was of merchantable quality, and also whether any problem could be defined as making the car a danger to the public or the owner.

You need to find out what is causing the problem, and whether it should have been identified during earlier services – presuming that you maintained the car.

If the problems started after the sale, then the dealer may not be responsible.

One avenue through which you can pursue a case is the small claims court, where you can claim expenses up to €2,000.

It’s imperative, however, that you detail more thoroughly the dates on which problems arose, and the response of the dealer regarding these.

Keep all paperwork relating to the car’s purchase, servicing and repair.

You should also check whether the model in question was ever recalled by contacting the manufacturer’s distributor in Ireland, and by looking at websites such as the UK Government’s Vehicle And Operator Services Agency (Vosa) at vosa.gov.uk.

• To all those who continue to write in about flywheel issues on VW Caravelles, we are still pursuing the issue with Volkswagen, and we will return to it in the coming weeks