Purchased a car from car yard, possible that the RWC is dodgy..

[LS1FUN]

Hi guys,

Well today I purchased a VS Sedan from a Dealership. Complete with RWC and 3 year mechanical warranty.

Now without going into alot of detail, I have a feeling that the car isn't roadworthy at all, there are some squeaking noises here and there, the steering wheel is off centre a bit, the engine light comes on when driving the car and the car doesn't feel like it's running the best either. Also tonight when I was putting new rims on the car I couldn't see any shock absorbers at all.

I had my suspicions when I went to pick up the car at around 11am today and the Dealer handed me the WRONG RWC. The RWC he gave me was for a VS Ute. I told him that this wasn't the RWC for the car I am purchasing and he tried to call the auto shop that did the RWC, but they didn't answer.

he then said that the mechanic, who from the sounds of it is a good mate of his, probably wouldn't be in till about 12:30 and that I should go kill some time and he'll give us a call when he talks to the mechanic, and get him to fax the correct RWC to the Dealership. I say OK, and go have some lunch.

12:30 on the dot the Dealer calls me and says he has the RWC for my car and that the mechanic had faxed it to him. I ended up purchasing the car anyway as I need a car for work.

Early next week I plan to take the car to one of my local auto shops and have them look over it, just to confirm whether the car is roadworthy or not.

Now...

If infact my local mechanic comes to the conclusion that the RWC I have for the car is dodgy, and there are issues with the car that need to be addressed asap, how would I go about reporting the Dealership & the auto shop that completed the RWC?

I'm quite annoyed at this, and i'd like to take this as far as I possibly can IF my suspicions are correct.

Thanks.

[LS1FUN]

I'm in Victoria, FWIW.

[stockyvrcalais]

mate i feel your pain, caryard roadworthy's are dodgy 99% of the time, i recently brought a car from a yard and even after selling it to me with a RWC, low and behold its still leaking engine oil, has noisey struts etc, so actually its NOT roadworthy, my point being your not the only one to ever take it up the clacka from a caryard, get another inspection done with the list of faults and go back to the yard with it and tell them if something isnt done to fix your car you will go see the relevant authorities etc etc..........

[Reaper]

No need to read past the 1st line. I'd say it's probable the RWC is dodgy. Not much possible about it. If you think your car is unsafe then your first course of action is to try to return it to the seller for repairs. If this fails then approach the VACC who may be able to help you.

Reaper

[GenReaper]

Like Reaper said ^^

First thing i would do is go to an RAA or MTA approved motor mechanic, get it inspected and everything that is worng listed on paper.

Then go back to the dealership, hand it to him and tell them to fix it, well the stuff that is unroadworthy.
If that fails the the VACC jobbo.

Smart words by the Reapers

[LS1FUN]

Thanks for the replies so far guys,

I'm going to take it to an auto shop Monday to book in a time to have a general service done (most likely next weekend) and all steering components looked over and rectified if needed (steering wheel alignment/wheel alignment).

I'm also thinking of getting another RWC done on the car too and not have anything fixed, but everything that needs to be addressed written down by the mechanic. If it turns out that there are things wrong with the car that should've been addressed in the RWC Inspection before I purchased it, what would be my next move?

I noticed you guys mentioned the VACC. Sorry, but what exactly do they do and what could they do for me in this example?

[strgas]

take your concerns up with vicroads they will investigate the dealer and the mechanic issuing the RWC

[wickann15]

take your concerns up with vicroads they will investigate the dealer and the mechanic issuing the RWC

Have to agree with that. Stuff giving the car yard any chances to rectify the problem. If you don't report it they will just do it all over again to some other poor bastard. Report it and once they investigate, the mechanic will loose his license. No idea what would happen to the dealership- most likely they will claim they didn't know it was a dodgy roadworthy and get away with it.

Next time I'd be getting RACV to check over the vehicle before you purchase it.

[Philthy]

I had a dodgy RWC when I bought my VS from a dealer. Took it to a top mechanic for a service and a full going-over, then took it back to the dealer with a list of faults for them to fix.

Nearly 3 years on and I've replaced almost everything the dealer "fixed" when I took it back

[wana s' charge stock vt]

def get another roadworthy, save alot of hassle in the end. if ya just get (say a 'midas') inspection it wont really hold up as they can say its only to make money, but if got another roadworthy from approved station the car yard guy will poo his pants and who ever did the dodgy roadworthy too.. the fine is massive for doing dodgy's..............

[Locksmiff]

I would take it to vicroads and book it in for a vicroads pits inspection and at the same time show them the supplied RWC you received for the car on purchase.

[greenacc]

Car yards are full of dodgy bastards. The lesson here is if you something smells dodgy before you buy the car walk away, don't buy it. Good luck getting some justice.

[Grennan]

First thing I would be doing is taking it to a very reputable mechanic and getting a FULL look over. Get a complete roadworthy check and raise any possible concerns like the steering to the mechanic doing the check.

Get a list of things that need to be fixed, take them to the seller. Tell them the car is shit, tell them you got a new RWC and tell them to fix these issues.

If they pretty much tell you to get stuffed or do not complete the work to a satisfactory nature, go straight to the VACC - Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce. They give people licenses to sell cars and do roadworthies and generally look over all those automotive within Victoria.

[ari666]

Also tonight when I was putting new rims on the car I couldn't see any shock absorbers at all.

lolwut???11??

[ucwepn]

Chances are its a dodgy rwc, the industry is swarming with them, i know someone, who knows a mechanic, who for $150 will give you a rwc complete with mythical repairs done no questions asked. Definately a concern.

[wana s' charge stock vt]

Chances are its a dodgy rwc, the industry is swarming with them, i know someone, who knows a mechanic, who for $150 will give you a rwc complete with mythical repairs done no questions asked. Definately a concern.

lol might be the same mate as mine ...

[Stretchomatic]

Know your rights

just a bit of basic info on the carsales buyers page, i know its not really in depth but it gives you some ideas on what can happen when you buy a buggered car.
definitely get onto it quick.

[Ace_VP]

Not sure how it works in VIC but in NSW its illegal for a registered car dealer to sell a registered car that is not roadworthy. I would get a full inspection done by a reputable licenced inspection station. Then take that report to your relevant authorities. The department of fair trading of the victorian equivalent would be a good place to start or the Motor traders Association. He has broken the law if the laws are similar to NSW and he is up for serious fines/penalties if he doesnt put the car right or give you your money back.

Matt

[con7502003]

report the dodgy arsehole

[vk.jonno]

So anyone just watch accurant affair??

[Ace_VP]

hasnt been on here yet

[vk.jonno]

Watch it.. It shud have thesame story

[old mate]

yep saw that.

its funny, tracey grimshaw and co love singling out these people but the people who buy these cars are as much to blame as everyone else. clean the idiots out of society i reckon.

[gopher]

Hi12:30 on the dot the Dealer calls me and says he has the RWC for my car and that the mechanic had faxed it to him. I ended up purchasing the car anyway as I need a car for work.

this is probably when alarm bells started sounding
i don't know how it works in Victoria but in Queensland i don't think a faxed copy of a RWC would be allowed.
should have walked away from it because by the sound of it you have a lot more trouble than you would have bargained for
i remember a few years ago there was a mechanic who gave out thousands of roadworthies using a dead inspectors number and name i think it turned out the new owners ended up being responsible for getting them roadworthy

[tonza]

ok guys, bought a car not long ago, a few weeks. Booked it in for a service today at a reputable mechanics workshop. Got told that the engine mounts are rooted, has leaks from the valley and tappet covers, and radiator needed replacing.

It was sold with a road worthy, so what are my options?

Bloke at work told me to get my mechanic to do a roadworthy, with a list of everything thats stuffed, then go straight to Main Roads and report it.
Another said to get all the repairs done, then get the dodgy roadworthy mechanic to foot the bill.

Im not a fan of returnig it to this bloke, as he will probably just do a worse job on it and send it back. Should i contact him first and tell him i want him to bear the brunt of the repair costs? is that possible at all?

cheers in advance guys.

BTW it was purchased privately from a bloke who's brother had it at a wholesale place, and im in QLD if that helps