Toyota advertising standard specification which is not fitted to their car

[Unhappy Owner]

How Toyota an international company treats its customers

I purchased a Toyota GT86 Club Series Blue Edition from the Derby dealership on 29 March 2019.

Looking forward to my new car I ran through the standard features as shown on the Toyota UK Website.

Imagine my dismay when collecting the vehicle an advertised standard feature, an automatic rear dipping mirror, was not there. Instead there was an old fashoined paddle operated rear view mirror.

When I queried this with the dealership they explained that not everything shown as standard was present on the models they sold and I was the first customer to query it. I explained that as it was advertised with the feature and proved where on the Toyota Website I wanted it retro-fitting or under the Consumer Rights Act of 2016 I would reject the vehicle and ask for my money back.

The dealer contacted Toyota who were really grateful I have spotted the error on their Website (which they have now corrected) and offered me 150 in store voucher to effectively go away.

I rejected their offer and explained that I wanted the feature. They gave some ***** and bull excuse that if they retro fitted it it would void the warranty on the car. They would be fitting it to their car!! How could it void their warranty.

I was not satisfied and complained again. Unfortunately in the time frame the GT86 was written off which is another story to be added later so Toyota simply closed my complaint case and have effectively walked away from their responsibility.

I have spoken to the Financial Ombudsman who says I still have a case for rejection as mentioned above if I wanted to go down that route. However, I am now lodging a formal complaint with the Motor Ombudsman and will let him deal with Toyota.

I just wanted everyone who has bought a GT86 or who is intending to buy one or perhaps has purchased another Toyota recently to check your specification and if it does not match what is advertised complain to Toyota. If enough of us consumers do this then they will have to mend their ways and accurately advertise what they are selling and compensate owners accordingly.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Toyota's website has for a number of years contained a declaration regarding advertised spec. Toyota's brochures also contain a similar declaration. Other vehicle manufacturers have similar declarations on their websites and brochures. These put the onus on the prospective purchaser to check the specification of any vehicle they are considering purchasing, with the dealer.

Yes you may have the right of rejection under The Consumer Rights Act 2015. However note that your contract of sale is with the dealer, not the manufacturer.

See Toyota's current declaration below:

Availability and pricing of advertised products and services

All products and services advertised on this website may be withdrawn or altered at any time without notice. Images shown may not be to UK specification. Please check with your official Toyota dealer the availability and specification of Toyota products and services before placing any order for them.
All prices shown on this website are recommended retail prices. Prices relating to finance packages are provided for indicative purposes only and are subject to status and terms and conditions. This means that they may differ from the actual price quoted by an official Toyota dealer for a particular product or service.