I think the problem with Saxtons is that many have actually tried to pursue claims against them and got nowhere, due to their totally belligerent attitude to any complaints.

Going by past research, another complaint will have the same, inevitable result.  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Never had any dealings at all alanm. If we experienced unreasonable treatment from a large dealer, I'd be digging in as well...

Complaints to Trading Standards might not have much effect in isolation but if there were a series of like/pattern complaints against any dealer, then eventually, they could build up a file and... you never know:

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

It seems to me that it is unlikely that Saxtons will respond to anything other than actually being taken to court.

I had a problem with an independent car dealer in Glasgow, they had described a feature of my RR as being in full working order, there was a fault (which would cost less than £500 to fix). They refused to fix the fault and basically ignored me.

The threat of taking them to court did not work until I made a claim on my house insurance legal protection (covered the RR as it was a sale of good act claim) and had a solicitor contact them. They seemed to take my complaint much more seriously when I got a solicitor involved. The whole process took about 9 months to sort out and cost me my £25 insurance premium.

I had already followed all the CAB and trading standards advice prior to getting a solicitor involved and was happy that it was only ever going to cost me £25. They settled out of court but did spend many weeks messing around with lame excuses. 56 TDV8 Vogue SE
9 Freelanders, 2x 2002 TD4ES, 2001 TD4, 2002 1.8GS, 2000 XEDI, 2x 2000 1.8ES, 2004 1.8 & 2000 1.8 GS (rolled)
91 Lotus Carlton (sold)
90 Lotus Elan (BRG)

Angry of Biggleswade wrote:

Thanks for all the support and advice guys. Very interested about the comments from Craig. Is there a known defect with these type of tyres as your 100% correct on the tyre type/size. The car is an Overfinch Aero 3 2008 Petrol.

I naturally presumed that the tyre had originally been fitted to the front of the car before the bottom suspension arms had been changed, and during the time they were worn out this had led to the steering being able to "over centre" and cause the inner edge to fowl on a bolt head or similar protrusion.

Andy_J wrote:

It seems to me that it is unlikely that Saxtons will respond to anything other than actually being taken to court...

Good for you.

In some cases, knowledge is power. A lot of people who don't get what they want will immediately rant and rave about 'getting my solicitor onto this' but if a problem arises, it can be dealt with and escalated reasonably and progressively. Probably in your case, you escalated matters over a period of time, stating your case and then at the right time, got a solicitor involved which led to settlement.

Some businesses will ride roughshod over the customer hoping they will get fed up and 'go away' but where a customer is persistent, has obvious grounds for a grievance and does things in a documented, structured way (by acting reasonably rather than ranting and being abusive) then the better chance there is of achieving fair resolution.

Just to follow-up on the good consumer advice here - my experience is also that the dealerships (national franchised in my case) - absolutely did nothing, cheated and lied until they were forced to do something. In the main I think that people with valid cases do give up because the cost of going to court and laying up the vehicle is prohibitive - the dealers know this and are prepared to hold out - for them it appears a numbers game i.e. 5 they'll win and the problem goes away and one they'll lose (and that's factored into their costs).

I was slightly fortunate in that I had taken finance - so I ended up being able to get my complaint in front of the financial ombudsman which cost nothing (other than time).

If you find you self in the situation of needed to push back on the dealer - check how you brought it and see if you claim is eligible to be heard by the Ombudsman. I don't by much now without putting on my credit card, knowing this makes the card issuer liable for any problems with the purchase/transaction.

Interestingly even when I had an Ombudsman ruling the dealership didn't want to know - however you can then go to court and enforce the Ombudsman's ruling - your not debating the case in this instance your just forcing them to pay!

There is a ton of this info on the web - knowledge is certainly power when dealing with an organisation who thinks they'll screw you!

Lets not forget..
If they have a ruling against them and still don't pay...... Send in the Bailiffs, you need to get a high court judgment first but for the cost of approx. £75.00 you can authorise them to chase the money + costs or goods to the value etc... Based on what your saying they would have to take all their stock to pay the debt........

Trev... Current Cars
(Sold) Range Rover TD6 05 Vogue SE - 85k - Zambezi Silver - Black Leather..
Kia Ceed (4) 1.6 - 33k - Silver
Previous.
VW Golf 2008 2.0 SDI (With Add Ons) - 109k Silver
Vauxhall Zafira 2.2 Petrol SRI - with Ex Pack 32k -Turquoise (traded for the FFRR)

i've watched a bbc program about these 'sheriffs' and they can and do get the money owed ... ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

yes - It's a good method to go when you've got a genuine case -beware though... (no through personal experience just reviewing others experiences) is when it is a small dealership - often the stock is not 'registered' to the business or 'is being sold for a customer' and therefore the dealership has no assets to go for, in which case they just accumulate another CCJ and you will still struggle to get back anything.

For all the franchise dealer BS there is still some satisfaction and safety in buying from them!

I would try and go for the directors and not the business.. (their assets are more likely to be worth more)

I did exactly the same used a Franchised dealer... Paid a bit more upfront for peace of mind... Just had nearly £600 of work done by them.......

I spent 6 months looking for the one..... It was worth it.. some lemons and hammered ones out there...

Best thing I did was join here......

If in any doubt - walk away,,,, or Saxon....... RUN,,,

Trev Current Cars
(Sold) Range Rover TD6 05 Vogue SE - 85k - Zambezi Silver - Black Leather..
Kia Ceed (4) 1.6 - 33k - Silver
Previous.
VW Golf 2008 2.0 SDI (With Add Ons) - 109k Silver
Vauxhall Zafira 2.2 Petrol SRI - with Ex Pack 32k -Turquoise (traded for the FFRR)