Used Car from dealer - expensive repairs after 2 weeks

Used Car from dealer - expensive repairs after 2 weeks

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VolvoT5

Original Poster:

4,155 posts

175 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Searider said:
Who said it shouldn't have passed an MOT?
A garage looking for work?
Or have you actually put it through an MOT?
Yes, put it through an independent MOT and it failed on the points I have mentioned. I suspect that is why the trader is being so 'helpful'.... probably don't want to have to explain how they managed to sell it with an MOT and 2 weeks later it is apparent it should not have passed as those components do not wear out in that time frame.




rallycross

12,807 posts

238 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Guess what? When you 'pay someone to look over' an old car they will always come back with a long list of faults.

It will be a similar story on the next car you buy, get the inspection done before you hand over your money if you are not sure what you are looking for when buying an old car..

andymc

7,357 posts

208 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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VolvoT5 said:
Blue Oval84 said:
I think the bushes and arms will need doing on ANY old X5. Even my Z4 had worn through it's control arm bushes by 70K (and that car's a lot lighter than an X5).

OP - It sounds as though the car is actually fairly reasonable, thermostat problems are common on the 3.0D, and bushes are totally to be expected. If you give it back then you can guarantee that any other equivalent cheap X5 will probably need the same bushes work doing, and the thermostats can go pop at any time.

Also, I'd say the bushes can't be THAT bad otherwise surely it would have been obvious on the test drive? (wandering, vague steering, unusual movement under braking etc.) So I'm not surprised the garage didn't volunteer to change them before sale, I doubt any other garage would voluntarily replace aged suspension components if they've passed an MOT...

In other words, sounds to me like your car is pretty much as is expected for it's age, better the devil you know, so I'd just get it fixed!
IDK, it is a bit vague and bouncy on the road but as I test drove it back to back with a Jeep I think the Jeep was so bad I didn't immediately notice the issues with the X5.

The issue is what you describe really. I could quite easily get the money back, go buy elsewhere and end up needing basically the same issues resolving. To be fair the engine and gearbox seem smooth and I would hope it is only the thermostat or a sensor. The other issues are wear and tear; although shouldn't have been sold like that IMO.

Tempted to ask them to contribute a partial refund and I will source my own garage to do the repairs. Alternatively get the cash back, there are a couple of nice 4.4 and 4.6 petrols locally that are cheaper, private sales but would leave a £1500 slush fund for repairs. Less bork potential with the petrol engine?


  • What happens to the years worth of car tax, I haven't even received the logbook yet so how do the DVLA know where to refund to?
he has offered a full refund, with all due respect what more do you want?? every bill on a X5 is going to be large, they are not a good used buy

anonymous-user

55 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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They are probably 'repairing' it at this very momemt and waiting for your heart to over-rule your head.

Having rejected a car previously, take the refund and move on.

uuf361

3,154 posts

223 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Take the refund and run!

snoopy25

1,868 posts

121 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Dear lord take the money and run!

Howard-

4,952 posts

203 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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snoopy25 said:
Dear lord take the money and run!
This.

In fact, I'm going to quote it again.


snoopy25 said:
Dear lord take the money and run!

sealtt

3,091 posts

159 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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I think you need to be more realistic about your budget. If you are going to wring it out and stretch to get a car like an d5 then this sort of work and on going issues are pretty much inevitable. So if you want a car like this just stick with it.

However if you want to move down the ladder a little and buy something of which you could actually buy a decent example of for £7k.... Then TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN!

Condi

17,211 posts

172 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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sealtt said:
I think you need to be more realistic about your budget. If you are going to wring it out and stretch to get a car like an d5 then this sort of work and on going issues are pretty much inevitable. So if you want a car like this just stick with it.

However if you want to move down the ladder a little and buy something of which you could actually buy a decent example of for £7k.... Then TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN!
This... basically. My boss runs an older X5 and some of his bills are eye watering. If you want one, then this one with all the work done is probably as safe a bet as you'll get. Going to another unknown one in the same price bracket is going to present the same problems at some point.

However, if you're going to take your 7k and buy a 3 year old Focus then obviously you wont have the same issues, but equally you wont be driving an X5...

rb5er

11,657 posts

173 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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Get the refund and get a decent car.

Zato

324 posts

182 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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I have a 54 reg X5 that I have owned from 3 months old and is still under BMW warranty. I have had more than you can believe in warranty repairs. I pay the premium for the BMW fix everything warranty. No way I would buy a 54 reg now unless it had been covered by BMW since birth. Last repair was for a headlight replacement as it no longer bent round corners. Over £1k just for the light !!

Take the money.

Zato

324 posts

182 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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I have a 54 reg X5 that I have owned from 3 months old and is still under BMW warranty. I have had more than you can believe in warranty repairs. I pay the premium for the BMW fix everything warranty. No way I would buy a 54 reg now unless it had been covered by BMW since birth. Last repair was for a headlight replacement as it no longer bent round corners. Over £1k just for the light !!

Take the money.

VolvoT5

Original Poster:

4,155 posts

175 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
quotequote all
rb5er said:
Get the refund and get a decent car.
Well it seems I have no choice now as they are refusing to do the repairs. In fact they refuse to look at the car at all. Despite telling me it came with a warranty.

So now I will have to take a refund and they will no doubt sell it on to some other poor sod. I'll be a few hundred out of pocket as well.




MissChief

7,112 posts

169 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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I'm detecting a level of advice that appears, at least in the first instance, to be fairly consistent. Don't be a fool man, take the money and run!

dave828

62 posts

128 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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X5s usually give us headaches, especially the V8s. We tend to stay away from the pre facelifts as theyre riddled with little issues.

If its a facelift, it shouldnt be bouncy especially if its a sport model.

Front lower control arms commonly need replacing (judder on braking, vague feeling)

If i were you, id take your money and run, never commit to buying a car if you're not 100% Satisfied. I recommend the 3.0 petrol over any other engine in the X5, stay away from the V8s. Coolant/oil leaks galore, not to mention valve stem seal failures...

andymc

7,357 posts

208 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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VolvoT5 said:
rb5er said:
Get the refund and get a decent car.
Well it seems I have no choice now as they are refusing to do the repairs. In fact they refuse to look at the car at all. Despite telling me it came with a warranty.

So now I will have to take a refund and they will no doubt sell it on to some other poor sod. I'll be a few hundred out of pocket as well.
they have offered a refund, what more do you want

VolvoT5

Original Poster:

4,155 posts

175 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
quotequote all
andymc said:
they have offered a refund, what more do you want
What they led me to believe I was getting when I handed over the cash - A car that is fit for the road and for them to honor their 'warranty' agreement and repair the issues or at least contribute to the cost. As stated a refund is a PITA for me and will leave me out of pocket.



Butter Face

30,330 posts

161 months

Sunday 31st May 2015
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So have you listed the actual faults?

You've had the car MOT'd? They're saying these faults are all failures?

Would just be good to clear this up?

markmullen

15,877 posts

235 months

Monday 1st June 2015
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I think both parties have had a lucky escape here...

jshell

11,027 posts

206 months

Monday 1st June 2015
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Run!