Told My Car Was AWD When It Is RWD

Wallyt99 on 29/04/2023 - 20:51
Last edited 30/04/2023 - 10:02 by 1 other user

About 6 months ago I bought a new to me car at a dealership.

The advertisement didn't say whether it was RWD or AWD, and so I asked the dealer explaining to them I needed AWD, and the sales person told me it was AWD.

I subsequently bought the car, but now 6 months later I've found out the car is the RWD version.

I've spent significant coin on the car including new tyres, new brake pads, a new alternator, and done 10,000ks.

I'm really not sure what to do here though as I've clearly been ripped off. The AWD is worth at least $3000 more than RWD.

The dealer was a major auto company dealer and not a dodgy brothers yard.

Any advice?

Automotive Car Ford SUV

Comments

    • Muzeeb on 30/04/2023 - 17:27

      Was towing the boat without insurance so dodged a bullet there too.

      • Protractor on 30/04/2023 - 17:47

        Boat or colander>

    • Euphemistic on 30/04/2023 - 17:58
      +1

      I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that the OP has it insured as AWD as that’s what they thought it was and entered details as such.

      I’ll also guess that any pre-filled info from the rego plate data is highly likely to be at least partially incorrect in regards to model designation. The info I see when checking my rego’s online doesn’t designate anything about the drivetrain. It’s just make and model.

      • Protractor on 30/04/2023 - 19:31

        A true Ozbargain car owner would at some point have searched Repco,SCA or other auto sites by rego.(Considering OP admits spending $$ on the wrong car he deliberately bought.. Guess what would have popped up when they did?
        The insurance company has his VIN. That would say AWD or not. So did he even read the basics of his policy? Or his he NOT insured?

        • Euphemistic on 01/05/2023 - 05:14

          Are you sure the insurance co has the VIN? I’ve only ever had to input the rego and make my own selection for specific model. I don’t recall entering the VIN.

          • kerfuffle on 01/05/2023 - 08:03

            @Euphemistic: Yes.

            Source: bought a new comprehensive insurance policy for my car three months ago.

          • Protractor on 01/05/2023 - 09:50

            @Euphemistic: If the VIN is not number plate or some way linked , then there must be a shed-load of insurance fraud going on.

            • Euphemistic on 01/05/2023 - 12:12

              @Protractor: The vin is rego linked, but from what I’ve seen online there doesn’t seem to be any sharing of the VIN with the public. That definitely would enable fraud.

              There would be some process to determine the VIN matches the rego at the point of a claim, especially for a write off, but I haven’t seen evidence of it being necessary to buy a policy, nor make a claim. The rego seems to be enough in that instance. If you check rego online, it’ll give you last 4 digits of the VIN. That’s must be enough to ensure the two are linked but it won’t give you details of the model spec, it’s basically a serial number.

              • Protractor on 01/05/2023 - 17:28

                @Euphemistic: The VIN at some point must ID that individual vehicle to the MAIN features the vehicle has coming off the line.I Tranny type (A or M) or drive type surely?
                Carsales and GTree often display VINs.I've used them myself to verify correct parts for my vehicles.
                Believe me insurance companies do have access to ,and use VINs. And they have plenty of $$$ to send insurance fraudsters to the rock breakers.

                (Not saying a rego plate search online would popup the VIN.)

    • RedDevil860 on 01/05/2023 - 13:37

      The rego number would have brought the model of the car.

  • thesilverstarman on 30/04/2023 - 19:24
    +5

    I would go back to the dealer and ask to see the sales manager. Explain what happened and ask them what they can do. They may be bale to source an AWD for you, or they may do nothing. You will have to rely on them doing the right thing, because without any proof, you will struggle to get them to admit or do anything. But be nice, and see what happens.
    as for the towing, I had a look and did some comparisons. The maximum tow weight is conditional upon a genuine Ford heavy duty tow pack being fitted. An aftermarket tow bar is not the same. The tow pack consists of of course a tow bar, plus a load levelling kit and you must have an auxillary transmission cooler fitted. If you do not have all of these things fitted, then you can only tow a maximum of 1600kg braked trailer. The aux transmission cooler will stop your transmission from overheating and if it does it will cost you thousands to repair.
    On paper, there is 400kg difference in maximum tow weights. In the real world, there is about 100kg. The quoted maximum tow weights are really a theoretical maximum, calculated with a completely empty vehicle, with no accessories fitted, including tow bar, with a full tank of fuel. By the time you include the heavy duty tow pack, add yourself, passengers, anything else you put in the vehicle, any other accessories like bullbar, roof rack, driving lights, etc, plus the towball weight (10% of towed weight) so either 230 or 270kg, you will find that you would not be able to tow the weights. Plus if the vehicle is a 7 seater, this adds between 40 and 140 kg onto the weight over the rear axle, which has a maximum of 1550 kg capacity. which cannot be exceeded.
    A good general rule as well, is that you should not tow more than the weight of the vehicle itself. In this case its about 2100 and 2200 respectively. Towing more would mean that you should reduce the speed always, and are prone to having the trailer "wag" and you can lose control and roll or crash.
    So in real terms, based on the GCM, CGM, Tare weight, axle weights and allowing for passengers and stuff you put in car, plus tow ball weight, accessories etc, 2100kg for the RWD and 2200 for the AWD is about right anyway.
    Do not fall for the huge numbers quoted by dealers that vehicles can tow. These on paper limits are theoretical at best, and if you were to tow them, you could find yourself in all sorts of trouble, not only from a safety point of view, but from a legal one. You can be towing a trailer that is under the legal limit for your vehicle, but break the law and render your insurance void if you overload your axle load ratings. Any truck driver would be familiar with this stuff, because they can be booked if they say have 2 pallets up the front of a 6 ton truck. They may only be carrying 2 ton but would be overloaded on the front axle.
    Police have been running sessions at Bunnings etc of late to teach people about towing weights, and people can even bring down their caravan and trailer and have the weights and axle loadings examined. You can also go to a weighbridge and have them checked yourself.

    • Protractor on 30/04/2023 - 19:37
      -5

      "Police have been running sessions at Bunnings etc of late to teach people about towing weights" because all of the other crimes are solved….and inadequate towing knowledge is a major threat to the western world.

      If police want to reduce 'towing calamities' they should be seeking laws ( basically if you want to haul a village behind your car you should have an appropriate skill set) to suit the explosion in caravans etc, and do the hard yards at the point of sale.

      • thesilverstarman on 30/04/2023 - 19:47
        +2

        Not all police fight crime and catch criminals. Traffic police and highway patrol focus on vehicles, driving etc, so this is exactly what they should do to to try to help people. The point of sale is useless, as there are too many variables that the salesperson cannot know or expect once the vehicle leaves the point of sale. The onus is and always has been with the licenced driver. Towing information is available from relevant roads authorities, but most people are too lazy.
        If you ever see a car trailer behind a vehicle, most times if it has a vehicle loaded on it, it will be breaking the law. People just expect that their vehicle can do it, but few ever consider how to calculate if it can. I know that in Vic Police have said that they intend to be undertaking blitzes in the future to clamp down, but are encouraging people to look at it now.

        • Protractor on 30/04/2023 - 19:59

          "The point of sale is useless"
          I mean the cops would be better off focusing on the market place of caravan sales, not just hoping the 'snag' willing towing students at Bunnings. I get that cops have multiple roles. But pretty sure the community is in need of more crime prevention ( dead these days) as opposed to towing learnings.

          "but most people are too lazy." Yes, and that's why the bunnings + cop scenario is a roadshow.

          Law makers have known for years (and done nothing about it) that caravans etc are getting bigger & heavier. Car licenses should have changed accordingly. Truck drivers are the front line dealing with ticking time bombs 24/7 and other road users are the collateral damage of lazy policy makers. Covid created a waterfall of 'accidents waiting to happen' and still no political will to fix a nightmare on rural roads .
          If you add up the loaded car + van + all the spare fluids etc, a huge slab of those 'grey road trains' are way over loaded and well beyond the capacity and capability of vehicle & driver. Bunnings car park chit chat won't fix any of that shite

  • RolandWaites on 30/04/2023 - 20:59

    Surely you look up a car online before you buy it, and if it's a priority to you, you'll at least give a glance to the "drivetrain" section.

    • Euphemistic on 01/05/2023 - 05:22

      There are plenty of instances of a buyer being duped by incorrect data in a car ad discussed on this forum. The usual one is MY not matching what is advertised.

      There are so many variants of a vehicle modem it’s really easy to screw up and select the wrong one plus there are also dishonest salesman that might ‘accidentally’ indicate a feature is included when it is not.

      I’ve recently purchased insurance for a vehicle and also looked for parts online. Several times the website has listed what appears to be two identical models in the drop down. I’m sure behind the scenes there is some subtle difference, but to the average punter it’s easy to select the wrong one.

  • serpserpserp on 30/04/2023 - 21:37
    +3

    laughs in AWD

    • thenavman on 30/04/2023 - 22:51

      Crying in RWD on behalf of OP

  • thenavman on 30/04/2023 - 22:48

    It would be very hard to argue after all this time has lapsed. Refer to the paper work / contract of sale and see what's printed on there. If that states it was meant to be an AWD then you may have a case. Otherwise it will be very difficult to verify what the salesman actually said to you at the time of purchase.

  • Will Mcdonald on 01/05/2023 - 09:35

    I have never met an honest car dealer, they upsale a vehicle making a cut on a product while doing nothing. Don't expect much value from they do

  • Ryk on 01/05/2023 - 09:36
    +2

    I know a guy who bought an orange car because he thought it was green (he is colour blind), and nobody corrected him.

    • Muzeeb on 01/05/2023 - 11:57

      Was it also a lemon?

      • Mikinoz on 01/05/2023 - 12:02

        It was citrus

  • Shaquille Oatmeal on 01/05/2023 - 11:01
    +1

    Your sales contract would have the information on it regarding whether it was a 2WD or AWD.

    What does it say on the first page ?

  • Make it so on 01/05/2023 - 11:42

    I spend months carefully exploring the different versions of every model before buying a car. How would someone buy a car going off what a sales person is saying alone?
    I also wouldn't trust an average car sales person about specs. My favourite: "you need to clear-tint your privacy glass because it does not block UV". After contacting the actual manufacturer, I got it in writing that the privacy glass blocks 95% of UV.

  • RedDevil860 on 01/05/2023 - 13:25

    Took you six months to realize that. face palm
    Now I need to know which car it was.

    • mapax on 01/05/2023 - 13:26
      +1

      It’s been mentioned numerous times that it’s a territory.

      • Protractor on 01/05/2023 - 18:42

        Can't Use New Territory

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 01/05/2023 - 14:22
    +2

    The real tragedy is someone thinking a 10-15 year old Territory is a good, suitable vehicle for towing a 2400-2700kg boat and trailer…

  • gviddy on 01/05/2023 - 14:30

    Salesmen. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do. They are happy to lie to your face.

  • Cusack on 01/05/2023 - 17:08
    +3

    Unless there’s paperwork, the dealer will simply say “I didn’t say it was AWD”. And there’s not much you can do.

  • Protractor on 01/05/2023 - 17:38

    Where's Wally?

    Extensively researching?

  • Plug on 01/05/2023 - 19:06

    Interested as to why you "needed" AWD in the first place.

    • Bafranz on 01/05/2023 - 19:09

      Towing rating is higher to legally tow his boat

      • Plug on 01/05/2023 - 19:16

        Ah. What's the year and model OP thought he had vs the model OP ended up with?

        • Bafranz on 01/05/2023 - 19:17

          Ford territory RWD instead of AWD, they've been discontinued for a few years so it's used

  • Bunnyburger on 01/05/2023 - 19:59

    Apparently it's not a problem until it happens to them

  • Euphemistic on 01/05/2023 - 21:16
    +1

    If it’s just the additional tow capacity you require, investigate getting the vehicle upgraded to suit. Given many of the drivetrain and body components will be identical there may be a relatively cheap way to get it legally done - compared to selling and buying an AWD version. You’ve already got the rated towbar. It could just be an auto grabby cooler or different brake callipers.

  • bigbadboogieman on 01/05/2023 - 21:58

    May be it is an AWD. How do you know for sure? Did a mechanic tell you?

    • Muzeeb on 02/05/2023 - 00:50

      Op was trying to retrieve his big ass boat up a wet boat ramp. The front wheels were spinning and the back ones weren't.*

      *Probably

      • Euphemistic on 02/05/2023 - 09:44
        +3

        RWD will have a lot of trouble spinning the front wheels.

        • Muzeeb on 02/05/2023 - 09:51
          +1

          Lol. I just saw the error in my ways. Lol.

  • T1OOO on 02/05/2023 - 08:24

    Lollllll troll post of 23

  • darvian22 on 02/05/2023 - 09:42

    If you signed the contract and it says AWD on the contract you have a case; if you signed it and it has the RWD on it, the onus was on you (OP) to read the contract and terms of sale.

    Mistakes can and often do happen in all industries; it is on us as the end consumer to ensure the contract is correct at time of sale.

  • The General on 02/05/2023 - 13:08
    -2

    AWD's use about 30% more petrol than RWD's. Add up the savings the dealer has made for you by selling you the RWD vehicle.
    Factor this in when you seek retribution.

    • bhubb18 on 03/05/2023 - 14:23
      +1

      30% more lol
      Absolutely not true

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 02/05/2023 - 15:50

    Legally, you don't have a leg to stand on.

    1. Your an adult
    2. Legally competent enough to get into a contract
    3. Have enough money to purchase a car

    Caveat Emptor

    • anzacpaul on 03/05/2023 - 11:34
      +1

      You're

    • Frayin on 04/05/2023 - 09:56

      That's a lot of assumptions you seem to be pushing as fact.

      For all we know his contract states AWD.

      Non-related to this thread, but just because you sign a contract doesn't mean anything if it contains unlawful precedent.

      • Euphemistic on 04/05/2023 - 21:10

        Do contacts go into that detail? Likely it’s got make, model, year, rego and VIN. I don’t think they bother with al the detail of engine, gearbox, trim level etc except for new cars.

  • Plug on 02/05/2023 - 19:14
    +1

    Wondering if the OP even bought a diesel model.

  • berry580 on 02/05/2023 - 22:01

    What's on the contract?
    If it's not on the contact, good luck.

  • dkwon10 on 03/05/2023 - 14:02

    i once almost bought a car from dealer through carsales (other state) … dealer said it was automatic but last min I saw the one of the interior photo and its clearly a manual transmission… i told him on the phone he said he just got out from the car he's sure its a dual-clutch auto transmission… I insist him to check again and he came back to me and be like true it's actually a manual… so dumb but its an honest mistake lol

    • Muzeeb on 04/05/2023 - 07:40

      If it was a VW dual clutch then the salesman was just trying to save you from future pain.

      • dkwon10 on 04/05/2023 - 09:48
        +1

        it was a elantra sr turbo. I was looking at lancer ralliant at that time as well, which the gear shift for manual and auto looks alike but not the elantra lol

        • Muzeeb on 04/05/2023 - 10:14

          If memory serves me correctly the manuals have an oversized chrome pull up ring, to engage reverse, under the knob.

          Some salesman have no friggin' idea. It's actually awkward to engage in conversation with some of them about cars when they clearly have no idea what they bang on about with a false confidence.

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