Car Recall Assistance | Legal Advice

Questioner

I was made aware of a recall on the car I drive. There might be a problem with the airbags. I have already contacted the dealer of this brand. They will carry out the repairs but the costs would be for me. All additional information clearly states that repairs resulting from a recall are completely free of charge. This repair only concerns the defect covered by the recall. The dealer claims that this promotion has been open for a long time and is outside the time limit. I have never been informed of this before. In the meantime, the car has been MOT approved every year and then nothing was done with it? The dealer should have been aware of that error. It is a defect with the airbags, and safety is my top priority. Because this is a manufacturing defect and also a recall, I do not agree that I should pay for this myself.

Questioner

In the case of a recall, the dealer is indeed responsible for the costs. If the airbag is defective, it could be argued that, given the nature of the safety issue, this defect should also be covered by the dealer. The dealer should have informed you of this recall during the vehicle inspection. After all, a dealer is expected to do certain things. If they claim to have done so, they must prove it. I recommend that you notify the dealer in writing. If you cannot reach an agreement (yet) and a legal dispute arises, we can assist you in this matter. Please contact me to discuss the matter. Click the direct contact button next to this answer under my name.

Questioner

Dear, Thank you for your answer. I have also contacted the general customer service of this car brand, stating what the dealer told me regarding the costs and also your response to my question. The recall appears to have been open for a very long time (it concerns a car that is almost 20 years old), and the recall was never honored by the previous owner. My first reaction when I heard there was a problem with the airbag was to take immediate action! Despite the fact that it concerns a fault with the airbag (which seems to me to be an essential component when it comes to safety), the car is not rejected for this reason during the MOT inspection. I have owned the car for over a year now, so I was not previously aware of this problem. Now they're saying that the warranty on such old cars has long since expired and that in this case I would have to pay the costs myself, but "given the circumstances and from a commercial point of view, we are prepared to bear the costs." The dealer is then notified and the necessary parts are ordered to carry out the repair. Case resolved and closed, thanks in part to your reply. Thank you!

Questioner

I'm glad everything turned out well in the end!