How long is garage liable for repairs on secondhand car?
How long is garage liable for repairs on secondhand car?
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Discussion

Pistonpants

Original Poster:

266 posts

116 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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I bought a 2018 xc90 from a non franchise garage early in November. There were a few minor issues with the car which the garage sorted for me without quibble.

The general vibe was give us a list of problems, we’ll sort them, then we’ll draw a line in the sand and that’s it.

The last few days I’ve noticed fumes in the cabin when I start it up and a bit of googling tells me it could be the metal EGR pipe that has cracked.

They did provide a third party warranty, but after phoning them they’ve said they don’t cover pipes.

Would the garage still be liable 2+ months on to sort this?

FSEngineer

127 posts

186 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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They "don't cover pipes" hehe well that says more than I ever could about third party warranties...

My feeling is that, because the fault wasn't necessarily there when they sold you the car, it's not their problem and you're better off sucking it up and just getting it fixed yourself. I'm sure someone will be along momentarily to correct that if I'm wrong.

MustangGT

13,832 posts

309 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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To me it seems it was fine at the time of sale if there were no fumes in the cabin, so therefore a warranty item. If the warranty does not cover it you can try the supplying dealer, you may get lucky.

sherman

15,222 posts

244 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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Pistonpants said:
I bought a 2018 xc90 from a non franchise garage early in November. There were a few minor issues with the car which the garage sorted for me without quibble.

The general vibe was give us a list of problems, we’ll sort them, then we’ll draw a line in the sand and that’s it.

The last few days I’ve noticed fumes in the cabin when I start it up and a bit of googling tells me it could be the metal EGR pipe that has cracked.

They did provide a third party warranty, but after phoning them they’ve said they don’t cover pipes.

Would the garage still be liable 2+ months on to sort this?
No warranty will cover an exhaust.
Your garage wont cover it either.
In 2 months you could have driven a millions miles or parked at the beach for the entire time or if its rusted from the inside out its just natural wear and tear.

Shooter McGavin

8,859 posts

173 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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From a bit of Googling it seems fracturing of these EGR pipes is fairly common and a relatively simple fix.

OEM part looks to be about 150 quid, with probably an hour's labour for an experienced indy to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZoO91z05qw

I wouldn't expect a garage to honour that (presumably OK when you bought it and it has just worn out) and would suck the cost up as part of the fun of used car ownership. All part of the great delights of modern diesel ownership!

djone101

967 posts

313 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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Had the same issue on my 2018 XC90.
Happened at about 75,000 miles - and that's pretty much the only thing that's gone wrong in all that time.
If the warranty people won't cover it (which isn't that surprising) then I'm afraid it's down to you to pay for that, I can't see the selling dealer picking it up.

Alex_225

7,771 posts

230 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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So far as I am aware, you get 3 months cover on any fault when buying from a dealer/trader as a consumer right (unless it's changed in the last couple of years). So having bought the car in November, you'd be within your rights to take it back to the garage to be repaired.

I believe you still get up to 6 months to prove something isn't fit for purpose though and if bought unseen (internet sale for example) it's 12 months.

So personally, I'd be popping down to the dealership and getting them to have a look.

Davie

6,213 posts

244 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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Alex_225 said:
So far as I am aware, you get 3 months cover on any fault when buying from a dealer/trader as a consumer right (unless it's changed in the last couple of years). So having bought the car in November, you'd be within your rights to take it back to the garage to be repaired.

I believe you still get up to 6 months to prove something isn't fit for purpose though and if bought unseen (internet sale for example) it's 12 months.

So personally, I'd be popping down to the dealership and getting them to have a look.
However...

Pistonpants said:
I bought a 2018 xc90 from a non franchise garage early in November. There were a few minor issues with the car which the garage sorted for me without quibble.

The general vibe was give us a list of problems, we’ll sort them, then we’ll draw a line in the sand and that’s it.
All you can do is ask the dealer OP, if they tell you to jog on then you'll need to decide if you want to go down the sternly worded letter / lawyers / whatever else route to get it rectified or just get it replaced and chalk it up to the joys of car ownerships.




Kevin-2g5x2

109 posts

68 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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If the fault wasn't present or likely to have been at time of purchase, then the only entitlement you have if the sold warranty doesn't cover it is to hope for a reasonable priced paid repair from the supplier if they feel inclined to keep you as a future customer, either way you have to pay to get it sorted.

Matt_T

1,277 posts

103 months

Thursday 9th January 2025
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FSEngineer said:
My feeling is that, ... you're better off sucking it up
No! don't do that, you'll get carbon monoxide poisoning!