How can I get my used car dealer to repair my vehicle?

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qpr26

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I purchased a used car from a dealer in Sussex, UK about two months ago, and have noticed that the wheel alignment appears to be slightly out (car vibrates at high speed). I have an AA warranty on the car, but when I reported the problem to the used car dealer I was told that there is nothing he can do because once I drove the car off the forecourt, wheel alignment is not covered by him and that they put it down as "fair wear and tear". Can anyone help clarify this situation, and am I entitled to have him repair the car for me?
Thank you for the response so far. Please keep them coming...
 
He's right. Wheel alignmnet is not covered under warranty. It is considered normal wear and tear.
 
Unfortunately, wheel alignment is something that a driver can adversely affect immediately upon driving out of the dealer's lot. When you park the car there is often an opportunity to strike a curb or parking stop with one tire and not the other. If the energy is strong enough, it can knock the wheel out of alignment with the other wheels. For this reason, alignment is rarely covered except as part of an aftermarket warranty sold along with the service of re-aligning the wheels.

So, unless the warranty explicitly states alignment is covered, you'll be on the hook to pay for it yourself. Shop around and find a place that includes a long period of time to realign the wheels for free if they go back out of alignment, and you'll at least have that coverage in case your particular car is easy to knock out of alignment. And watch out for potholes, curbs and parking stops. :)

Good luck.
 
Many "reputable" dealers will do nothing once they have banked your money but in this instant I think he is right as the front alignment could have easily been caused by you as a driver. Pot holes, speed bumps and many other road hazards are upsetting steering geometry.

Your description of vibrating at speed more indicated a wheel balance problem and the same applies here.

Can only suggest going to a good tyre shop and having the wheel alignment and balance rechecked. OK will coat 40-50 quid but make the car safer and better to drive and preserve thost important tyres
 
.. yes wheel alignment would be fair wear and tear one good knock on a kerb or a speed bump to fast can throw your wheel alignment of.......unless you can prove the defect was there before you bought the car but this will be difficult now as you have had the car for two months.....it could also be something else causing the problem unbalanced wheels defective tyre (correct air pressure) defective ball joints.....all these things could cause vibration at high speed.....and as you have had the vehicle for two months can be normal wear and tear.....depends on how you drive.......
 
Get the AA to inspect it then if there is a fault and you can return it to the dealer and demand it's fixed. If they still refuse report them to Trading Standards & BBC Watchdog.
Good luck.
 
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