Used Car from dealer - expensive repairs after 2 weeks
Discussion
paintman said:
They've offered you a full refund on a car you're unhappy with & you're having to think about it? Seriously?
Take it & go somewhere else.
Well not completely unhappy apart from the issues it is a lovely car! Risk is I end up buying lemon elsewhere either privately or via a dealer that is less open to persuasion. Take it & go somewhere else.
Blue Oval84 said:
Agreed, a £7K X5 has "gamble" written all over it.
Try and come to some arrangement to get the work done at a place you trust (maybe contribute something yourself if it's the only way to reach a deal) and keep the car. It sounds as though you like it and have already invested some decent effort in getting it right.
Although I have to say, the nasty bubbled up tints would have been a warning sign for me in the first place!!
Fair point but the car came with a stack of history and was with the previous owner for years, so that counter balanced the warning signs of dodgy tints in my eyes. Try and come to some arrangement to get the work done at a place you trust (maybe contribute something yourself if it's the only way to reach a deal) and keep the car. It sounds as though you like it and have already invested some decent effort in getting it right.
Although I have to say, the nasty bubbled up tints would have been a warning sign for me in the first place!!
Maybe going 50/50 on the repairs at a garage of my choice (I would not be going to a main stealer) is the fairest way to go?
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.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!
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?
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. A garage looking for work?
Or have you actually put it through an MOT?
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.
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.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff