UK trading standards officers have said that MG Rover dealers may still have to honour vehicle warranties despite the automaker going into administration and administrators axing factory warranty cover.
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A Warwickshire local paper, The Stratford-upon-Avon Observer, said that some local dealers have been fobbing off car buyers, claiming they have no consumer rights, following MGR’s collapse. But trading standards chiefs told the paper dealers cannot avoid responsibilities and “pass the buck” back to the manufacturer.
The Observer cited Warwickshire Trading Standards director Noel Hunter as saying: “Motorists will always have their statutory rights against the dealer from whom they bought their car. The Sale of Goods Act requires dealers to supply vehicles which are of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose.
“If faults arise within a reasonable length of time after purchase, customers may be entitled to return the vehicle to the dealer for a repair, replacement or partial refund.”
The Observer said that, in certain circumstances, dealers can also be liable for honouring manufacturers warranties, including Rover’s. It also noted that finance companies can be liable – when vehicles have been supplied under a finance agreement arranged by a dealer, the finance company will have to share responsibility for fixing problems.
