I didn’t get what I bargained four

A MOTORIST has been driven mad in a row with his dealership over what he thought was a four-wheel-drive car which turned out to be nothing of the sort.

Vincent McTaff bought a Jeep Cherokee thinking he was getting a 4WD at a cost of £30,000.

But weeks later he discovered it was a two-wheel drive.

He has complained to dealers Richard Hardie who are investigating what happened.

Vincent, of Burnopfield, County Durham, said he had an order form which stated the car was a 4WD.

He said: “We ordered a Cherokee in July in the belief it was a 4WD because that’s what we asked for and that’s what was written on the order form.

“I have now realised it was a twowheel drive.

“The discovery was made when my son-in-law and I had a look under the car to see where the jacking points were.

“I complained to the dealership because I want them to exchange the car for a 4WD because that’s what I thought it was.

“But they say it is now classed as a second-hand car because I had used it.

“They are asking why we didn’t check it out earlier, but we trusted them to provide what we asked for.

“The salesman who sold the car and his boss are no longer working there.”

Vince said he needed a 4WD because the roads where he lives are bad in the winter and he uses his car to pull a caravan.

His previous four cars have all been Cherokees but from different dealerships.

He says he has now left the vehicle unused since the discovery.

Vince, 79, and his wife Doreen, 74, say the dealership are looking for a deal on a new car but have not come up with anything yet.

Ryan Luke, group sales manager at Richard Hardie, said: “Mr McTaff claimed he bought a 4WD. Our side of the story is that is bought a two-wheel drive.

“He wants us to get a 4WD and we are trying to help him, but it’s not going to be quick.

“There are 1,400 or 1,500 miles on the clock.

“I need some time to find a solution which works for both of us. “They are giving us a used car back.” He confirmed that the salesman and his manager had both left but it was a coincidence in an industry which saw a high volume of transitional staff moving from one job to another.

He also confirmed Vincent had an order form which referred to a 4WD but said it had not been signed.

It did, however, have the name of the salesman printed on it.

Vince has since had a meeting with a senior manager. “He said he was sympathetic and was going to see what could be done.”

Vince later said: “We have worked a deal out.

“It’s a good deal for us.” Vincent McTaff bought a Jeep Cherokee thinking it was a 4x4 as on the order form, but has found out it is in fact only a 2WD