[albear]

Im not sure if this should be under a law category, but thought that people viewing this under the car and trucks category might have some experience with this.

Im from the UK, About 3 months and a week ago I bought a car (05 black Vauxhall Astra, 99k miles) from the garage down the road from me after my previous one's clutch started making aweful noises and it seemed as though it needed a new clutch (quoted about £400 which was more than the car was worth) so when I found my current car I asked if they would be able to take previous car off me and knock the price down a bit, that done I bought my current car and set off on my merry way, a month or so later the battery died, so took it back to the garage and they replaced it, was also having ignition troubles as the key wasn't always turning the barrel so they replaced that as well and once again I set off.

Now a little over 3 months down the line, I've come across another problem, its only happened twice so far, but when I've stopped (1st was at a set of traffic lights) my foot presing the clutch down and my other foot holding the brake, I noticed the car was trying to move forward and the only thing stopping it was the brake. (it didn't sound as though the revs were building but sounded like the clutch was trying to move the car and couldn't because the brake was on), so I turned off the ignition and had to struggle getting it out of gear before setting off again.

It seems to be fine if as soon as I stop I shift to neutral (again it has only happened twice so I'm not sure how to effectivly recreate it) whenever I need to stop, but I know this shouldn't be happening and I want to take it back to the garage.

I was told there was a three month warranty and as it's a little over 3 months I'm worried that il be stuck with the bill for a new clutch again which judging by the last quote could be quarter of what I paid for the car.

I've done a bit of searching and found this:
Returning a car - Buying advice - Auto Trader UK - Auto Trader UK - buying

Which says 'You can ask for a repair or replacement up to six months after purchase'

Id like to know what my options are at this point really as it sounds like if they want to charge me for the fix I'm going to be stuck with an unsafe car until I either pay it or go through a small claims court (which I'm unfamiliar with doing and to be honest worries me alot).

I haven't spoken to the garage yet as the article says to do (il be doing that tomorrow), but I would like to be prepared for what could be the worst.

[odinn7]

I don't know the legality of this in the Uk and I'm not even going to pretend to. I am just going to point out that it sounds like you have a hydraulic clutch and either the master or the slave cylinder is bleeding down when this happens.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

It could be something as simple as adjusting the clutch pedal height, where you loosen the jamb nut, rotate the pushrod to increase pedal height, and retighten the jamb nut.

[albear]

Update:

So I went to the garage and described the problem as I have here and he said it sounded like the slave cylinder was bleeding, he couldn't book me in to have a look this week though so he's going to have a look on Monday,

On the financial side he said since its just out of the warranty period id have to contribute if it needed a new clutch, about 60 or 70 quid which is a lot better than the £400 bill I was fearing