Private sales - comebacks
Discussion
I’ll probably get roasted for this, but I just need a little bit of a sense check.
A couple of months ago, I bought a car privately. It had had a new engine in the last two years (engine had done 11000 miles and is unfortunately out of warranty). The wording in the advert, aside from mentioning the engine, was that it had had a replacement turbo oil line “so the engine and turbos are now safe”. It also said “all usual discovery problems have been sorted, including the reason for a new engine”. The receipt I got did state “sold as seen”.
You can imagine my surprise when the engine started knocking 3 weeks into ownership! It is believed to be a snapped crankshaft.
I did take out an aftermarket warranty about a week before the engine started knocking, and it looks like the claim will be rejected, as a “pre existing fault”. Which is a pain and a cop out. It may be unreasonable of me to expect any sort of contribution from a private seller towards any repairs. Indeed, granted, I would not normally expect any comeback of any kind from a private sale, but this one was so explicit in its wording regarding the engine. My first thought was that I couldn’t call the seller and discuss, but I did not due to the fact it was a private sale. This has however been eating away at me for a while now.
Like I say, just need a sense check as to whether I’m being completely unreasonable, and if there’s nothing I can do I’m not going to kick off to the seller.
A couple of months ago, I bought a car privately. It had had a new engine in the last two years (engine had done 11000 miles and is unfortunately out of warranty). The wording in the advert, aside from mentioning the engine, was that it had had a replacement turbo oil line “so the engine and turbos are now safe”. It also said “all usual discovery problems have been sorted, including the reason for a new engine”. The receipt I got did state “sold as seen”.
You can imagine my surprise when the engine started knocking 3 weeks into ownership! It is believed to be a snapped crankshaft.
I did take out an aftermarket warranty about a week before the engine started knocking, and it looks like the claim will be rejected, as a “pre existing fault”. Which is a pain and a cop out. It may be unreasonable of me to expect any sort of contribution from a private seller towards any repairs. Indeed, granted, I would not normally expect any comeback of any kind from a private sale, but this one was so explicit in its wording regarding the engine. My first thought was that I couldn’t call the seller and discuss, but I did not due to the fact it was a private sale. This has however been eating away at me for a while now.
Like I say, just need a sense check as to whether I’m being completely unreasonable, and if there’s nothing I can do I’m not going to kick off to the seller.
First of I think you have got little to no chance with the seller.
I would be looking at the warranty company and it’s wording. How can a snapped crank be a pre existing condition. I would have thought if the crank snapped it would grenade itself so how could that have been a pre existing condition.
It’s a real shame that Lord Flashearts thread got deleted because that really showed why perseverance with these warranty companies can result in a positive outcome when you know your in the right.
If you truly believe what the warranty company is telling you is correct then I’m afraid it’s time to lube up. You have no recourse against anybody.
I would be looking at the warranty company and it’s wording. How can a snapped crank be a pre existing condition. I would have thought if the crank snapped it would grenade itself so how could that have been a pre existing condition.
It’s a real shame that Lord Flashearts thread got deleted because that really showed why perseverance with these warranty companies can result in a positive outcome when you know your in the right.
If you truly believe what the warranty company is telling you is correct then I’m afraid it’s time to lube up. You have no recourse against anybody.
MB140 said:
First of I think you have got little to no chance with the seller.
I would be looking at the warranty company and it’s wording. How can a snapped crank be a pre existing condition. I would have thought if the crank snapped it would grenade itself so how could that have been a pre existing condition.
It’s a real shame that Lord Flashearts thread got deleted because that really showed why perseverance with these warranty companies can result in a positive outcome when you know your in the right.
If you truly believe what the warranty company is telling you is correct then I’m afraid it’s time to lube up. You have no recourse against anybody.
Thank you, that is exactly the sense check I needed. The car is finally due to be stripped this week - then the warranty company have been arseholrs so far. I too can’t see how a crank snapping can be anything but sudden mechanical failure.I would be looking at the warranty company and it’s wording. How can a snapped crank be a pre existing condition. I would have thought if the crank snapped it would grenade itself so how could that have been a pre existing condition.
It’s a real shame that Lord Flashearts thread got deleted because that really showed why perseverance with these warranty companies can result in a positive outcome when you know your in the right.
If you truly believe what the warranty company is telling you is correct then I’m afraid it’s time to lube up. You have no recourse against anybody.
miniman said:
It’s a known Discovery fault. My warranty is with Motoreasy who have specifically said it’s covered.
My warranty is also with them - they have been trying to wiggle on the “pre existing condition” clause. Still, find out when the engine is out of the car! Galling as I bought this one specifically so I wouldn’t have to face a snapped crank…This is not dissimilar to the Caravan Thread thats going on right now on PistonHeads. Personally I don't think you've got a leg to stand on with the private seller, if you wanted comeback you should have bought one from a motor dealer.
I think the only way that you can get something back out of this is if you manage to get something from the warranty company, although that will undoubtedly be an uphill struggle.
I think the only way that you can get something back out of this is if you manage to get something from the warranty company, although that will undoubtedly be an uphill struggle.
Mr Spoon said:
Imagine it was the other way round, what would you say if you got the call? Er yea I'll give you back your money or f off mate.
The latter I suspect
Indeed, and I do see your point - it was the way the advert majored on how the “engine is now safe” nd 500 miles later it blew! The latter I suspect
Like I say, just needed a sense check.
Unfortunately the crankshaft on a Disco 4 is just as much a wear item as tyres or brakes.
There was a post either on here on on the one of the FB Discovery groups explaining how the oil feed to the (I think) the middle of the crankshaft is at a lower volume than at the ends, which causes the problem.
I've had every model of Disco up to a Disco 4. The last good one IMO was the TD5 Disco 2. I now drive a Toyota Landcruiser.
There was a post either on here on on the one of the FB Discovery groups explaining how the oil feed to the (I think) the middle of the crankshaft is at a lower volume than at the ends, which causes the problem.
I've had every model of Disco up to a Disco 4. The last good one IMO was the TD5 Disco 2. I now drive a Toyota Landcruiser.
sunbeam alpine said:
Unfortunately the crankshaft on a Disco 4 is just as much a wear item as tyres or brakes.
There was a post either on here on on the one of the FB Discovery groups explaining how the oil feed to the (I think) the middle of the crankshaft is at a lower volume than at the ends, which causes the problem.
I've had every model of Disco up to a Disco 4. The last good one IMO was the TD5 Disco 2. I now drive a Toyota Landcruiser.
That’s interesting to know re the oil feed. The garage the car is at told me there’s also an updated crankshaft which is presumably less snappy… There was a post either on here on on the one of the FB Discovery groups explaining how the oil feed to the (I think) the middle of the crankshaft is at a lower volume than at the ends, which causes the problem.
I've had every model of Disco up to a Disco 4. The last good one IMO was the TD5 Disco 2. I now drive a Toyota Landcruiser.
Triumph Man said:
sunbeam alpine said:
Unfortunately the crankshaft on a Disco 4 is just as much a wear item as tyres or brakes.
There was a post either on here on on the one of the FB Discovery groups explaining how the oil feed to the (I think) the middle of the crankshaft is at a lower volume than at the ends, which causes the problem.
I've had every model of Disco up to a Disco 4. The last good one IMO was the TD5 Disco 2. I now drive a Toyota Landcruiser.
That’s interesting to know re the oil feed. The garage the car is at told me there’s also an updated crankshaft which is presumably less snappy… There was a post either on here on on the one of the FB Discovery groups explaining how the oil feed to the (I think) the middle of the crankshaft is at a lower volume than at the ends, which causes the problem.
I've had every model of Disco up to a Disco 4. The last good one IMO was the TD5 Disco 2. I now drive a Toyota Landcruiser.
ChemicalChaos said:
Set aside a lot of cash for the engine, if it is a TDV6.
Early ones had a chocolate crankshaft due to a fault in the manufacturing process.
Later ones have insufficient bearing surface area/oil feed on the big ends for cylinders 2/3 and 4/5, which leads to them eventually overheating and spinning. This is a open timescale depending on usage and servicing.
Net result in both cases is a snapped crankshaft, and £10k bill for a new engine, and total disinterest from Land Rover.
Early ones had a chocolate crankshaft due to a fault in the manufacturing process.
Later ones have insufficient bearing surface area/oil feed on the big ends for cylinders 2/3 and 4/5, which leads to them eventually overheating and spinning. This is a open timescale depending on usage and servicing.
Net result in both cases is a snapped crankshaft, and £10k bill for a new engine, and total disinterest from Land Rover.
Triumph Man said:
Indeed, and I do see your point - it was the way the advert majored on how the “engine is now safe” nd 500 miles later it blew!
Like I say, just needed a sense check.
It's a difficult situation with no nice end for you. The seller could have been spot on, he could have also lied through his teeth Like I say, just needed a sense check.
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