Gearbox failure on 4 year old car

Breynia

Hopefully I have got the right board for this. I need to know if I have any rights with regard to my 4 year old Freelander's gearbox failing and needing replacing. I had a very stressful discussion with a customer services man from Landrover this morning. They are refusing to help towards the new gearbox as I did not take the car to one of their franchised dealers. (this was because they are rubbish!) I did, however, take it to a very good Landrover specialist garage. I have had all the relevant services and even tho the customers services guy didn't admit it, he didn't deny that this was a common fault with this car. Do I have any legal comeback with Landrover as I would expect a gearbox to last a lot longer than this?

wazza

freelanders and other models in the range have a well know reliability issues with the engines and gearbox.

does the customer service have your details? if not how easy will it be to refit the gearbox and take it to a franchise garage?

ohreally

Breynia wrote:

They are refusing to help towards the new gearbox as I did not take the car to one of their franchised dealers. (this was because they are rubbish!) I did, however, take it to a very good Landrover specialist garage.

There is no requirment for the dealer to maintain the car, check out European block exemption rules...
http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/facts/blockcars.htm

Breynia

!t wouldn't be possible to refit the broken gearbox. The mechanic had major problems fitting the new one and said that if he had to do that again he would be charging a lot more! Apparently it is very time consuming. I think my best bet will be to sell the thing....any ideas on a good reliable safe car anyone!

Wig

Audi A6.... A8

jjames_3

Really depends on what you're after.

Something with similar capabilities to what you have but more reliable?

Plenty of Japanese and Korean 4x4s which will fit the bill. Almost all have a decent record.

The Freelander is a soft-roader so I'm guessing you're not a farmer with this thing. CRV, RAV-4, X-Trail, Santa Fe, Sorento are all reliable options.

jjames_3

Have a look here...

http://www.whatcar.com/News_SpecialReport.asp?NA_ID=214562&EL_ID=3121179#

tomstickland

Freeloaders are notorious for the K series "chocolate teapot" engines overheating & head gasket failure. That's the trouble with lugging a lardy body shell round - it stresses the components more than a normal car.