Faults:
Noisy power steering - the car was supposed to have had a recall modification, but despite being supplied, serviced and resold by the original dealer I had to tell them about the mod after contacting Vauxhall. By the way, this was a Network Q car - 144 checks, but none carried out.
Clutch judder - Dealer and Network Q refused to repair despite another dealer assuring me there was a problem - a well known one.
Fuel supply problem - again dealer and Network Q refused to do anything about it despite an independent report saying it was a known carburettor problem.
Rear wiper stopped working - gave up trying to fix this.
Leaking fuel pipes within weeks of purchase. Dealer refused to show any interest and said it was not covered by warranty - I drove up there to buy the replacement pipes and went into the showroom to express my feelings. The salesman immediately arranged for it to be repaired - the fact the showroom was busy may have had an effect. THIS IS A WARNING TO ALL VAUXHALL OWNERS - These fuel pipes failed on my previous Astra (AN EXCELLENT CAR) after approx three years. I know a number of people who have had the same problem including one who's Carlton caught fire when she had three children in the car - the pipes concerned are black with a "thread" braid - Despite me writing to Vauxhall four years previously they were still using these pipes and to my knowledge never recalled them.
5th Jun 2001, 13:33
Well if you knew all that, why didn't you check the car out properly and quiz the dealer about the miles before purchase?
It's also quite quick and easy to see if the car is up to MoT standard, even if all you do is look round the car, and study the service history. Any gaps?
You should do all that as a bare minimum before you buy any car. Be more careful next time.