Car gone wrong 2 months into ownership
Discussion
Don't know if this is in the correct forum so move about if necessary...
My sister recently passed her test and for a first car purchased a 51 plate Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 from a small dealer down the road from us. It wasn't expensive ~£1000 IIRC, but she's only working part time and forking out a lot for insurance.
A month ago she was left stranded as the crank position sensor failed. (A common occurrence for one of these apparently) the garage sorted it out fine.
Today (2 months into ownership) she pulls up the drive and I notice the engines knocking. I open the bonnet to find the dipstick and housing have completely sheared off from the block, and the engine dry of oil.
Now I've called the garage and they're coming to look this afternoon, I'm not sure if the engine will be ok once a new housing is installed, as although the knocking isn't too bad there is a distinctive rattle now, who's to say that from now on it will just eat oil?
The car was sold with 3 months warranty with labour to be carried out from the garage we brought the car from. Where would we stand on this?
As the car is/was only worth up to £1000, repairing the dipstick housing will fix the car in terms of it leaking oil. But as for the know part knackered engine, should they find a replacement and fit that, or are we entitled to our Money back and get another car (what she would prefer after the problems she's had since starting to drive)
Thanks all
My sister recently passed her test and for a first car purchased a 51 plate Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 from a small dealer down the road from us. It wasn't expensive ~£1000 IIRC, but she's only working part time and forking out a lot for insurance.
A month ago she was left stranded as the crank position sensor failed. (A common occurrence for one of these apparently) the garage sorted it out fine.
Today (2 months into ownership) she pulls up the drive and I notice the engines knocking. I open the bonnet to find the dipstick and housing have completely sheared off from the block, and the engine dry of oil.
Now I've called the garage and they're coming to look this afternoon, I'm not sure if the engine will be ok once a new housing is installed, as although the knocking isn't too bad there is a distinctive rattle now, who's to say that from now on it will just eat oil?
The car was sold with 3 months warranty with labour to be carried out from the garage we brought the car from. Where would we stand on this?
As the car is/was only worth up to £1000, repairing the dipstick housing will fix the car in terms of it leaking oil. But as for the know part knackered engine, should they find a replacement and fit that, or are we entitled to our Money back and get another car (what she would prefer after the problems she's had since starting to drive)
Thanks all
You've a warranty, and it's within the time period.
I'd suggest that unless the car was driven no more than a matter of a few yards then there will be engine damage. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's not going to be a cheap fix.
If they're prepared to fix it properly, then you're fine. But I can't see that you've any right to a return of the full £1000.
I'd suggest that unless the car was driven no more than a matter of a few yards then there will be engine damage. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's not going to be a cheap fix.
If they're prepared to fix it properly, then you're fine. But I can't see that you've any right to a return of the full £1000.
Just my thoughts - I would think they would choose the cheaper option. I imagine that would be to replace the car. A used corsa engine plus labour is going to be more than a replacement corsa. Either way they have to honour the warranty unless the warranty stipulates that it only covers certain parts of the car.
ETA: Replacing the car is also a damn sight easier than finding a decent running engine still in the engine bay of a scrap car (by the way never get a replacement engine without seeing it running in the donor car), transporting it, taking the old engine out and fitting the new one.
ETA: Replacing the car is also a damn sight easier than finding a decent running engine still in the engine bay of a scrap car (by the way never get a replacement engine without seeing it running in the donor car), transporting it, taking the old engine out and fitting the new one.
Edited by Swanny87 on Wednesday 30th July 14:51
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