Should I accept the offer of half the cost of the cam belt change in my 2009 Volkswagen Golf?

I purchased a 2009 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 16v at the end of February 2013. The salesman failed to mention that when it turned four years old we would need the cam belt / water pump replacing at a cost of £419. That happened on 7 September and we had a call from the Volkswagen dealer to "book me in for the replacement work", which was the first time I knew that the belt and water pump were needed. If I'd have known that after owning the car for six months I’d need to shell out £500 for this work I would not have bought it, or would at least asked the for a discount. I've subsequently had the Volkswagen dealer call me back willing to pay half the cost for cambelt and water pump replacement. Cost overall is £419, so it's just over £200. I don't think I should have to pay anything, but don't want to push it if there's no value in pursuing it further. What do you think?

That’s interesting. It’s possible that the salesman could have been held liable for his failure to disclose the need for this so soon after purchase. It might be covered by The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 that creates an offence of misleading omissions that would not previously have been an offence if the consumer had not asked the right questions. But I think the dealer has played fair here, so recommend you take the offer.

Answered by Honest John on 30 November 2013

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