Skip advert
Advertisement

Watchdog: Honda CR-V owner discovers faulty SUV was rejected before

Owner’s fury at Honda response to problematic CR-V original buyer had already rejected

It’s unlikely you would agree to buy someone else’s rejected car, but that’s what one couple discovered they’d done.

Claire and Alan McDonald of Cove, Aberdeen, called Auto Express after months of wrangling with local dealer McRae and Dick over a faulty 64-plate Honda CR-V, which they’d bought from its Inverness branch at four months old, with fewer than 1,300 miles on the clock.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Claire told Auto Express: “Delivery of the car was delayed due to a software fault. Then we noticed the fuel gauge would sometimes show the tank as empty when it was full.”

They reluctantly agreed to have a new fuel sender unit fitted, but when the problem persisted, they formally rejected the car. The garage refused.

Meanwhile, the McDonalds tracked down the previous owners and discovered they had also had problems with the CR-V’s fuel system. “They said it kept losing power, and successfully rejected it,” explained Claire.

The garage said the McDonalds’ car was now fixed and told them to collect it or face storage costs. As the dealer had retrieved its courtesy car from outside Claire’s work, she argued they were forced to collect it.

Auto Express contacted Honda to argue their case, but it refused to accept rejection of the car. Its spokeswoman argued that it was now fixed, and while the problems the McDonalds had experienced were “unfortunate”, these “have not been the same as the previous customer”.

Claire replied: “The bottom line of this affair is this car had six faults in the first 10 months of its life. Is Honda really saying that is acceptable?”

Auto Express advised the couple to contact M&S Bank, as they’d used its credit card as part payment towards the CR-V. Under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, M&S Bank is jointly liable for a full refund, if a breach of contract or a misrepresentation can be shown. To qualify, the car should cost less than £30,000, with more than £100 having been paid by credit card.

M&S Bank is now reviewing the case. If the McDonalds are unhappy with the bank’s verdict, their next step will be the Financial Ombudsman.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Honda CR-V review – once a leading SUV, but now too expensive
Honda CR-V
In-depth reviews
2 Aug 2024

Honda CR-V review – once a leading SUV, but now too expensive

Fed up with SUVs? New Honda Prelude aims to make coupes cool again
Honda Prelude front quarter
News
8 Jul 2024

Fed up with SUVs? New Honda Prelude aims to make coupes cool again

Most Popular

It’s official – the Dacia Duster is the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025!
Carbuyer Car of the Year – Dacia Duster
News
23 Oct 2024

It’s official – the Dacia Duster is the Carbuyer Car of the Year 2025!

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k
Best cheap fun cars
Best cars
25 Oct 2024

The best cheap fun cars from under £5k to over £10k

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
25 Oct 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024