How to steal a BMW....
Discussion
If stories like this were more widely publicised this would be utterly crushing for 'Wiltshire' and 'UK' and the brand as a whole... I would detail the whole sorry story, and 'cc' the 'letter' to every well known consumer rights group, BMW UK, BMW Wiltshire, in fact every major BMW delaership and make it known that you'll be publicising the issue on every major motoring website and forum, and let each recipient know about tall the others that have been contacted...
Responsibility here is clear...Wiltshire gave keys to a criminal without suffcient checks, in that regards any subsequent works to the car in relationship to gaining entry and starting the thing is their responsibility too...
I'm totaly shocked...
Responsibility here is clear...Wiltshire gave keys to a criminal without suffcient checks, in that regards any subsequent works to the car in relationship to gaining entry and starting the thing is their responsibility too...
I'm totaly shocked...
Mostro said:
Re. the Tracker - the crooks tend to drive it a short distance and park it up to see whether it does get recovered by the Tracker/police. If it's OK for a couple of days, they go back and take it. (Perfect opportunity for a stake out I always think....)
My mate's Audi was taken recently after they broke in to get his keys, and was parked up and locked fairly locally. This time the police spotted it before the Tracker tracked it down. Because they still had his keys, he had to have new locks / reprogamming etc too and guess what...... he's also had immobiliser issues with it since and it's gone back to Audi again.
It's a tricky one - yes, you may be lucky and find it parked nearby while the thieves wait to see what happens. Alternatively, it's not uncommon for them to dismantle the interior looking for the tracking device. Then of course if it's just stolen for a laugh the car is likely to have been thrashed even if, superficially, all looks to be OK. My mate's Audi was taken recently after they broke in to get his keys, and was parked up and locked fairly locally. This time the police spotted it before the Tracker tracked it down. Because they still had his keys, he had to have new locks / reprogamming etc too and guess what...... he's also had immobiliser issues with it since and it's gone back to Audi again.
I understand the arguments in favour of Trackers but personally I'd rather not assist in the recovery of a car I no longer want.
Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 18th November 13:00
kambites said:
It's this little thing called "customer service" which they seem to be so terrible at. Just because they don't have to get involved, doesn't mean they shouldn't at least try to show willing.
Had it been a Lexus, for example, I suspect Lexus UK would have been all over the dealer to get it sorted out.
ultimately their call though as it's a franchise employee issue but it's generally the reason why I never use a franchised dealerHad it been a Lexus, for example, I suspect Lexus UK would have been all over the dealer to get it sorted out.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 18th November 12:42
maybe he's not a customer, bought from an indy and serviced at an indy
Edited by sleep envy on Wednesday 18th November 12:56
Thanks for all your comments guys.
In answer to some of them, I believe my car is classified as "Stolen, recovered" but as I didn't claim from the insurance, I can call them up and reuqest that to be removed from the HPI I think; I am still trying to sort my car out before I look into that. Having said that, my insurance company will always have records that my car was stolen; not entirely certain how this affects my premium.
I agree a stake out would have been a good idea but the police apparently have more important issues to tend to - like the paper work for the robbery. To be fair to the police, they have been very helpful where they can.
It is true, it is a shame that the tracker on my car was activated, otherwise the Wiltshire dealership would have had to pay out for my car - would have been a much better turn out...ahh well..
In answer to some of them, I believe my car is classified as "Stolen, recovered" but as I didn't claim from the insurance, I can call them up and reuqest that to be removed from the HPI I think; I am still trying to sort my car out before I look into that. Having said that, my insurance company will always have records that my car was stolen; not entirely certain how this affects my premium.
I agree a stake out would have been a good idea but the police apparently have more important issues to tend to - like the paper work for the robbery. To be fair to the police, they have been very helpful where they can.
It is true, it is a shame that the tracker on my car was activated, otherwise the Wiltshire dealership would have had to pay out for my car - would have been a much better turn out...ahh well..
sleep envy said:
kambites said:
It's this little thing called "customer service" which they seem to be so terrible at. Just because they don't have to get involved, doesn't mean they shouldn't at least try to show willing.
Had it been a Lexus, for example, I suspect Lexus UK would have been all over the dealer to get it sorted out.
ultimately their call though as it's a franchise employee issue but it's generally the reason why I never use a franchised dealerHad it been a Lexus, for example, I suspect Lexus UK would have been all over the dealer to get it sorted out.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 18th November 12:42
maybe he's not a customer, bought from an indy and serviced at an indy
In some ways it is BMW's responsibility though because it's BMW that supplied the key data to the dealer who then supplied it to the thief. If BMW can't trust their own dealers with such information then they shouldn't give it to them; if they do trust them then they should take a certain amount of responsibility when they fail to live up to that trust.
Sebba said:
Thanks for all your comments guys.
In answer to some of them, I believe my car is classified as "Stolen, recovered" but as I didn't claim from the insurance, I can call them up and reuqest that to be removed from the HPI I think; I am still trying to sort my car out before I look into that. Having said that, my insurance company will always have records that my car was stolen; not entirely certain how this affects my premium.
I agree a stake out would have been a good idea but the police apparently have more important issues to tend to - like the paper work for the robbery. To be fair to the police, they have been very helpful where they can.
It is true, it is a shame that the tracker on my car was activated, otherwise the Wiltshire dealership would have had to pay out for my car - would have been a much better turn out...ahh well..
To be honest if it had been stolen and not recoevered you may have never asked the question about the key's. You wouldnt assume anyone could be so stpuid.In answer to some of them, I believe my car is classified as "Stolen, recovered" but as I didn't claim from the insurance, I can call them up and reuqest that to be removed from the HPI I think; I am still trying to sort my car out before I look into that. Having said that, my insurance company will always have records that my car was stolen; not entirely certain how this affects my premium.
I agree a stake out would have been a good idea but the police apparently have more important issues to tend to - like the paper work for the robbery. To be fair to the police, they have been very helpful where they can.
It is true, it is a shame that the tracker on my car was activated, otherwise the Wiltshire dealership would have had to pay out for my car - would have been a much better turn out...ahh well..
This could quite easily make it into the national papers, I'd threaten them. How much time have they taken from you, how much fuel have you wasted driving to and from. Not only that but the stress as well. Good luck
Personally, I'd email them and copy in one of the more well known consumer rights campaigners (e.g. from one of the national newspapers). Even without their direct involvement, it's amazing how often this approach bears fruit. Tony Levene at The Guardian was very good but he's moved on now.
Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 18th November 13:35
PeteG said:
Absolutely shocking, as said, if its now stolen-recovered on the register, then you need compensating for the subsequent loss of value.
Agree with this 100%.If you can't get it removed from HPI and the car back to how it was, then in my view BMW Wiltshire should buy the car from you at retail money. Or at the very least compensate you for loss in value.
I wouldn't buy a stolen recovered vehicle.
Good luck with sorting it out... I'd go for the jugular with the dealership.
Speak to a solicitor. Not wishing to add to the whole 'compensation culture' thing, but it makes good solid sense to go and see one and see what your options are. Get some guidance and recommendations on how to progress this and I would assume that you will to make sure that everything is in writing or recorded from now on.
This has been a complete breakdown of the trust, service level and support from BMW and the dealer - this needs to be sorted to your satisfaction. If I had any link to BMW then I would be strongly recommending them to get on to this and get it sorted.
This has been a complete breakdown of the trust, service level and support from BMW and the dealer - this needs to be sorted to your satisfaction. If I had any link to BMW then I would be strongly recommending them to get on to this and get it sorted.
I like your comment, UncappedTag - very clever!
I had already asked to buy my car/value my car - they fobbed me off again, indirectly "suggesting" that an independent dealer would offer me XXX (which was a cr@p price); she then had the nerve to continue going on about how it is a good time to buy a new car now and that they would be able to be more aggressive on pricing when there is a part exchange....
So they indirectly told me that they won't buy my car but if i was to buy a new car from them, the story would be different - what a joke.
I have instructed a solicitor but it is pretty slow moving - we are looking at the case as there has not been any monetary loss to me so far.
I had already asked to buy my car/value my car - they fobbed me off again, indirectly "suggesting" that an independent dealer would offer me XXX (which was a cr@p price); she then had the nerve to continue going on about how it is a good time to buy a new car now and that they would be able to be more aggressive on pricing when there is a part exchange....
So they indirectly told me that they won't buy my car but if i was to buy a new car from them, the story would be different - what a joke.
I have instructed a solicitor but it is pretty slow moving - we are looking at the case as there has not been any monetary loss to me so far.
It's not just BMW, I suspect it's ALL car manufacturers. I have direct knowledge of the following manufacturers burying their heads in the sand about incompetence and/or deceit by franchised dealerships:-
Ford
Honda
Porsche
...and I've heard stories about Porsche (again), Mercedes, Vauxhall and Peugeot.
...which doesn't really give you a lot of confidence all-round. I do agree, however, with the comments that BMW UK (or Honda UK, etc...) should actually CARE about the brand-image in this country, and therefore (while they have no obligation to get involved) should be investigating these issues for their own purposes, such as franchise-management!
Ford
Honda
Porsche
...and I've heard stories about Porsche (again), Mercedes, Vauxhall and Peugeot.
...which doesn't really give you a lot of confidence all-round. I do agree, however, with the comments that BMW UK (or Honda UK, etc...) should actually CARE about the brand-image in this country, and therefore (while they have no obligation to get involved) should be investigating these issues for their own purposes, such as franchise-management!
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