Lease Company Refuses to Cancel Contract Despite Vehicle Issues
The car lease company has declined to rescind my contract, stating the vehicle is driveable. However, the primary issue remains that the car will not charge.
Vehicle Malfunction and Delayed Repairs
My brand new electric vehicle (EV) ceased functioning within two weeks of delivery.
The dealer postponed the repair appointment by a month due to high workload. Peugeot Assist, operated by the RAC, eventually collected the vehicle for warranty repair two weeks ago, but the car never arrived at the dealer.
The RAC claims the dealer refused to accept the vehicle because it was still "too busy." I have contacted Peugeot and the RAC 36 times and sent multiple emails, yet no one has been able to locate my car or provide updates.
Meanwhile, I continue paying £450 monthly for a vehicle I have been unable to use for over two months.
Investigation and Compensation
You wrote to me towards the end of January. The RAC managed to locate your car within a day of my inquiry. It revealed that the vehicle had been placed in storage after being refused by the appointed dealer and was later delivered to a different dealer once media attention arose.
The RAC compensated you £250 for failing to keep you informed. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning of the ongoing issues. At the time of writing, you still do not have a fully functioning car and have joined many others facing indefinite delays in vehicle repairs.
Spare parts shortages have been cited as the cause since Covid disrupted supply chains, but in your case, it appears the dealer cannot diagnose the problem and Peugeot has shown little concern.
Further Delays and Faulty Repairs
In early February, two weeks after the vehicle entered the repair workshop, Peugeot informed me it would pay you compensation for the delays and service failures. It also promised a courtesy car, which never materialized.
You eventually retrieved your car at the beginning of March, only to find that it could not be charged, the boot did not open, the driver’s window operated autonomously, and the remote locking system was faulty.
Both of us returned to Peugeot, which stated that a necessary spare part had now been arranged. However, the dealer insists you bring the car in, which is impossible since it cannot be charged.
Lease Company Refuses Contract Cancellation
Since January, after being without a vehicle for two months, you have attempted to rescind the contract with Leasys, the leasing company, but they have refused. Their reasoning is that the car is considered driveable according to the dealer and that another repair is planned to address the charging issue.
Leasys did not respond to requests for comment. Consequently, you remain stuck in an expensive, prolonged impasse.
Legal Rights and Recommendations
Peugeot and Leasys should be held accountable. Customers have the right to reject faulty new vehicles under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 if repairs fail or are not completed within a reasonable time.
Because you have a credit agreement with Leasys, your case falls under the Financial Ombudsman Service's jurisdiction. I have advised you to file a complaint with the service.
Contact Information
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