Used car loses power on M4
A WOMAN who bought a Vauxhall Astra from a used car dealer ended up terrified after it lost power in the fast lane of the M4 just a week after purchase – forcing another motorist to push her on to the hard shoulder.
A WOMAN who bought a car from Trade Centre Wales ended up terrified after it lost power in the fast lane of the M4, forcing another motorist to push her on to the hard shoulder.
Jessica Arthur picked up the 2015 Vauxhall Astra for £15,000 from the used car dealer’s Cardiff North branch on Friday, February 21, before driving back to her home on Park View in Abercynon, less than two miles away.
However, after popping inside to get something, she then decided to go for a drive but found she couldn’t get it into gear, no matter how hard she tried.
The car was then towed from outside her address back to the Trade Centre Wales garage where air was bled from the system and an issue with the tyre pressure dealt with.
However, the Astra – which has 35,000 on the clock and a valid MOT until January 2021 – had to be returned yet again four days later after Jessica noticed the steering wheel was juddering and the vehicle was pulling to the left.
Trade Centre Wales mechanics ended up replacing both front tyres and realigning the tracking.
But it was on Saturday, February 29, that the most serious incident occurred, when the car suddenly cut out on the M4 causing her to come to a complete stop in heavy traffic.
“Me and my fiance Simon Lee had gone for a day out down to Cardiff Bay and the gears started getting really stiff and there wasn’t much pressure in the clutch,” said the 37-year-old TV and film set design student.
“Then, when we were on the motorway, it just completely shut down on us in the fast lane – how we didn’t have a crash I don’t know. But somehow we managed to merge into the first lane before coming to a stop, other cars were tearing past us.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, we’re going to get hit from behind’.
“Luckily this fella pulled over and helped Simon push the Astra on to the hard shoulder. I hate to think what might have happened had he not.”
Jessica added that, despite being promised by Trade Centre Wales the vehicle will be given an extended road test before being returned to her, she plans to take it to Vauxhall for a once-over in order to put her mind at ease.
“I’ve got no faith in the Trade Centre Wales engineers and I’d be afraid to drive that car again without getting a second opinion first,” she said.
“My partner is tamping and doesn’t want it back at all.”
A spokesperson for Trade Centre Wales said: “The thousands of cars we sell each month are prepared to the highest of standards.
“Unfortunately, all cars are prone to mechanical failure and it was unfortunate that in this case the failure occurred so soon after purchase.
“Our customer care team have arranged repair and to provide a courtesy car to Mr Lee and Ms Arthur to minimise any inconvenience.
“We have also provided the option to return the car with a full refund – however, Mr Lee has decided to collect the car when it is repaired.”
“We provided the option to return the car with a full refund – however, Mr Lee has decided to collect the car when it is repaired...”
Trade Centre Wales