The IS goes in tomorrow afternoon,

This bit here, this seems a bit 'Hmmm' - because really you want to say it is definately potentially dangerous. Don't bend the truth or lie outright though, if you tried it on and they had a way of knowing you were lying, your whole case would die on it's feet. I'd still be looking for a way of saying "IMO it IS potentially dangerous, and indeed caused me a fdew pants browners when changing lanes into traffic and having no power and a violent shake" - but don't say 'pants browners' heh.

Well, I'm not convinced that's enough time to fix it unless they have a proper spray shop. I know it'll only get a blow over, but they'll need to have heaters and stuff on it to get it prepped, sprayed and dried to level that won't get flies stuck in it on the way home... Also, what's the betting that there is no appointment, your salesman isn't there and unfortunately all the rest of the staff (claim they) don't know a thing about it. Then they'll probably ask you to come back Monday when "Gaz" is back and "will sort it out".

Is that a good idea? I mean, putting them on guard and getting them wound up before even giving them a chance to fix it?

I would say the chance of doing the paint alone in that time would be nil.

Unless of course, they just grab that silver touchup pen with no label off the shelf in the workshop that's been there as long as anyone can remember, then go round and do a sterling job of blobbing in the stone chips, leaving that lovely 'spotted' finish.

"Doki" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Indeed. Physically impossible to do properly in that time, even if they're ready/willing/able.

Agreed. Give them at least the chance before going all hardline on them - I normally put such failures down to incompetence rather than malice.

I wouldn't. Experience shows that if you show weakness they'll exploit it. I'd not go as far as putting it in writing at this stage but I'd ensure that someone important to the business is told that anything not fixed tomorrow will be considered grounds for rejection.

My car had a misaligned headlamp, which was due to a bodged repair, which they said was not their problem. One carefully worded letter = one quickly replaced headlamp unit.

But has it got as far as them saying it's not their problem? Though I think we're actually broadly in agreement - the letter isn't appropriate just yet.

Carl's had a week or more to get really wound up about this, the dealers probably haven't given it a seconds thought. Combine these two, and if you're not careful you get a shouting match and no positive outcome.

My point exactly. I have stated my grounds for rejection. With any luck they will refund me just to get me to f*ck off and stop bothering me.

In that case, then they can either accept the car back, and refund, or provide that in writing so I can use as evidence when I put a claim in in writing in the small claims court.

Only following trading standards if you wish to reject a vehicle and if you are willing to negotiate repair first whilst retaining the right to reject.

I told them the paint still needed doing on the phone and told them of the wobble/binding brake, and I got told when to bring it in. I also asked whether it would be available for work the next day and the reply was "I should bloody hope so".

expect this to drag, i got trading standards to send me the legal blurb on my rights ect when i had my little engine problem. i then did my own letter and sent the trading standards one with it. they was helpful at first but then they started quoting trading standards too. never got into a shouting match but he used to avoid my calls which used to wind me up. i just kept sending letters and mentioning 'i did try to ring' each time and kept copies. in the end he ended up paying £3k for a new block and pistons and i ended up with a nice £1500 labour charge, my mate offered to help rebuild it for half that but i knew if i had further trouble he'd come back with 'ask your mate he put it back togther'

that's why this time i bought from work cos when your staff your there every day to pester if you have a problem, when the sales manager asked me if my car was ok i replied 'you know if it wasn't' which made him chuckle :)

mini is fine incase anyone gives a shit...

It may not drag. As I paid more than =A3100 on the credit card, and the total value is less than =A330k, they are jointly liable for the whole sum, even if I used the card just for a deposit.

So if Reggie Rix won't play ball, I'll take it home with me and talk to the CC company.