3-month used car warranty almost up, potential big problem with the car!
Options
[FONT=Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial]Hi all
I’ve a question about the three month warranty from the independent trader from where I bought my 2nd hand car in February.
Ultimately I have two weeks left of the three month warranty but a fault came up with the car which may or may not pop up again, but if it does I have a quote of £2.5k to fix it from the main dealer already... :eek:
I’m aware that legally there is a three-month warranty on any car bought from a trader, and 10 days ago a warning light popped up on the dash indicating a problem with the gearbox. After some discussion with the trader we both agreed to take my car to BMW for a full diagnostic investigation (at my expense, as it turns out).
The diagnostic has thrown up fault codes pointing to a potential £2.5k bill to replace a hydraulic pump on its ‘SMG’ gearbox. Other than the warning light the car seems to have been behaving fine, and I have had the dealership reset the light so it is now off. Whether the light pops up again this evening, next week, next year is anyone’s guess, but with my three month warranty due to expire on 31st April, what happens if the warning light turns on again the day after the three months is up??
Even though I have raised this issue around 10 days ago by telephone with the trader and have now had an inspection and diagnostic print out pointing to the problem, where do I stand if it all goes bang a day, a week or a month past the three month period? Does the fact I’ve raised the issue within the three months cover me in any way?
If BMW’s diagnosis is correct, the warning light will return and eventually I will have trouble engaging gears, then the car won’t start and then I will have the biggest car repair bill I will ever have seen...
If anyone knows where I stand and what I should do to protect my position I would really appreciate it!
YME
[/FONT]
I’ve a question about the three month warranty from the independent trader from where I bought my 2nd hand car in February.
Ultimately I have two weeks left of the three month warranty but a fault came up with the car which may or may not pop up again, but if it does I have a quote of £2.5k to fix it from the main dealer already... :eek:
I’m aware that legally there is a three-month warranty on any car bought from a trader, and 10 days ago a warning light popped up on the dash indicating a problem with the gearbox. After some discussion with the trader we both agreed to take my car to BMW for a full diagnostic investigation (at my expense, as it turns out).
The diagnostic has thrown up fault codes pointing to a potential £2.5k bill to replace a hydraulic pump on its ‘SMG’ gearbox. Other than the warning light the car seems to have been behaving fine, and I have had the dealership reset the light so it is now off. Whether the light pops up again this evening, next week, next year is anyone’s guess, but with my three month warranty due to expire on 31st April, what happens if the warning light turns on again the day after the three months is up??
Even though I have raised this issue around 10 days ago by telephone with the trader and have now had an inspection and diagnostic print out pointing to the problem, where do I stand if it all goes bang a day, a week or a month past the three month period? Does the fact I’ve raised the issue within the three months cover me in any way?
If BMW’s diagnosis is correct, the warning light will return and eventually I will have trouble engaging gears, then the car won’t start and then I will have the biggest car repair bill I will ever have seen...
If anyone knows where I stand and what I should do to protect my position I would really appreciate it!
YME
[/FONT]
0
Comments
-
I had a similar but not so big a problem
bought car from used car trader, 8 weeks after a engine light came on
took it back and he said ive sold it so it not my problem.
next day took a friend and then he said ill have a look at it.
he replaced a seal on ignition key cylinder and said it will be fine.
3 weeks after it came back on
so i went back and he agreed to change the barrel
(cost £70 or so receipt given for parts)
it didnt come back on for 9 months, that when i sold the car.
A friend told me when buying from trader if you get a major problem within 3 months then a repair or refund of some kind should be offered.
Tell him he sold a vehicle not in good state and ask for a refund.
Trading Standards have a lot of cases like this.
However my local (Ashton-under-lyne) didnt help me one bit.
Hopefully your trading standard could be of more help.
Keep us informed of what happens.0 -
I'm surprised a beemer dealer cleared the code for you without curing the fault. What have they given you that you can confront the dealer with now?
Incidentally a number of BMW auto faults can be fixed by changing the fluid and cleaning the gearbox filter, but the fluid isn't cheap so go to a gearbox specialist, not a BMW dealer.0 -
OP, I don't understand. If you have a 3 month warranty and you've discovered the fault then take it back to the dealer and get it fixed?0
-
OP, I don't understand. If you have a 3 month warranty and you've discovered the fault then take it back to the dealer and get it fixed?
The fault so far was just the warning light, the potential problem hasn't fully manifested itself whereby it will pop out of gear and then not select any at all. Right now the warning light is off and it *seems* to be driving fine (not really pushed it since the warning light came on), so the trader will simply say 'the light is off and it's driving fine so there's no problem'.
My issue is whilst that is the situation right now, in two weeks time the warning light may come on again and the real problems may start but by then I will be out of the three month warranty period. Where do I stand if it gets worse next month as I have highlighted the start of a potentially major problem within the three month period??0 -
I'm surprised a beemer dealer cleared the code for you without curing the fault. What have they given you that you can confront the dealer with now?
Incidentally a number of BMW auto faults can be fixed by changing the fluid and cleaning the gearbox filter, but the fluid isn't cheap so go to a gearbox specialist, not a BMW dealer.
Good call colino, my friend who works for a car dealership said exactly the same thing today...
With the trader's connections who I bought the car from I know he would have taken the car to his local BMW dealership that he is friendly with and had the light reset himself and then said 'no light, no problem'.
What BMW have given me is a full diagnostic print out highlighting all the faults logged. Another diagnostic would in theory throw up the same fault codes I presume...
Fingers crossed the warning light never comes on again and everything is fine, but my main concern is if it all starts going wrong very soon after the three month period. Having highlighted the issue within the period, does that leave me in a good position if it all gets messy?0 -
But the warning light relates to a fault does it not, it doesn't just come on for no reason unless of course there's a faulty sensor. I'm sure the BMW dealer didn't just reset the light and told you to ignore it.The fault so far was just the warning light, the potential problem hasn't fully manifested itself whereby it will pop out of gear and then not select any at all. Right now the warning light is off and it *seems* to be driving fine (not really pushed it since the warning light came on), so the trader will simply say 'the light is off and it's driving fine so there's no problem'.
My issue is whilst that is the situation right now, in two weeks time the warning light may come on again and the real problems may start but by then I will be out of the three month warranty period. Where do I stand if it gets worse next month as I have highlighted the start of a potentially major problem within the three month period??
You've got documentation that points to specific faults, they will still be there whether the light comes back on or not, get them sorted under the warranty!0 -
fault light = fault so you have grounds to go back to your dealer. don't wait until the car goes bang.
0 -
Get the BMW dealer to supply you and the trader with a report on the fault, and what may happen.
Make sure the trader gets a copy, and make sure you have proof he has that copy (signed-for delivery).0 -
Thanks for the advice guys. Just thought I’d update the thread...
I took the car to a specialist for a more thorough diagnosis than BMW carried out – this one focussed specifically on the gearbox hydraulics/electronics – and unfortunately it found an intermittent fault of a sensor within the sealed hydraulic pump, so to rectify this a new pump is required
I’m awaiting to have this second report emailed to me and I’ll then get onto the trader that sold me the car, forward this to him and we’ll see what happens. I also spoke with consumerdirect.gov.uk this morning who feel my case is pretty good. The only caveat would be if the problem was down to fair wear and tear, but as the part is a non-serviceable item I think it’s fair to say it’s not down to wear and tear.
Let’s hope the trader tries to help rather than fob me off. I’ve got to put letter together stating certain points according to my call this morning, so I’ll get that sorted this evening.
Will update as and when
YME0 -
Dont suppose its an e36 m3 is it the later smg system is much more reliable, id advise visiting https://www.bmwowner.com a great group of guys that should be able to advise on cost etc.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 343.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 250.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 449.9K Spending & Discounts
- 235.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 608.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 173.3K Life & Family
- 248.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards