Design fault in lawn mower?

edda

We have a 3 year old petrol lawn mower which cost £300.

Is it reasonable to write it off in this time?

The petrol tank split after 16 months and was replaced under the 2 year warranty (after a brief discussion with the retailer who thought the warranty was 12 months).

Spring is here - and the 1st mow didn't happen as the tank has split again. Can we argue a design fault - or are we just unlucky?
If it had been a cheap mower, no problem, but it wasn't - and our garden isn't large with fairly flat lawns.

CLLC

Hi ,

Sounds like a design fault or it may just be purely your luck but either way i see it goes against section 14 of the sales of good act. CLICKY

SECTION 14: (2B)For the purposes of this Act, the quality of goods includes their state and condition and the following (among others) are in appropriate cases aspects of the quality of goods—
(a)fitness for all the purposes for which goods of the kind in question are commonly supplied,
(b)appearance and finish,
(c)freedom from minor defects,
(d)safety, and
(e)durability.
In your case i think A , C , D and E all apply. I think it your incident clearly shows that it is not durable and possible not free from minor defects. Also , being its a petorl tank it could compromise your safety??

So your next step would be to contact the retailer and clearly explain your sitation and quote the sales of good act as above. Hopefully after talks with managers you could probaly get a replacement , repair or if your lucky .... a refund.

If the managers still refuse , it would be beneficial to send a letter to there HQ clearly pointing the sales of good act as above. And inform your local traing standards who can help to fight your case

Good Luck

CLLC

pinkshoes

What material is the petrol tank made of? Where abouts is it splitting?

barnabee

And was the tank completely drained when it was stored over the Winter?

Art_2

Sounds like the unit is not fit for purpose but after three years you will have to prove this is an inherent fault and not caused by your actions. Have you checked the internet for others who may have had a similar problem. It would certainly help if others are reporting the same problem.

Regards,
Art.

Freddie_Snowbits

Cutting grass is bad for the enivironment as the decaying grass emits CO2 and Methane. It would be better to put a large patio over the yard and gravel as we has done at Freddies Pad. That way, the garden is done in ten minutes a month, pulling the occassional weed.

Not onluy that, but Freda can get out, away from her leash on the sink and sup red wine (whine) and eat cheese on the sunlounger.

maninthestreet

Freddie_Snowbits wrote: »

Cutting grass is bad for the enivironment as the decaying grass emits CO2 and Methane. It would be better to put a large patio over the yard and gravel as we has done at Freddies Pad. That way, the garden is done in ten minutes a month, pulling the occassional weed.

Not onluy that, but Freda can get out, away from her leash on the sink and sup red wine (whine) and eat cheese on the sunlounger.

The C02 it produces when decaying must be offset against the C02 absorbed whilst it was growing.

maninthestreet

How does a petrol tank split? Is it rusting from the inside out???

edda

barnabee wrote: »

And was the tank completely drained when it was stored over the Winter?

Yes absolutely.

I did try an internet search, but couldn't find anything.

As for the technical questions, I'll have to look and see what the tank is made of and where it's split.

Thanks for all your help and advice so far - will keep you up to date when we make some progress.

maninthestreet

edda wrote: »

Yes absolutely.

I did try an internet search, but couldn't find anything.

As for the technical questions, I'll have to look and see what the tank is made of and where it's split.

Thanks for all your help and advice so far - will keep you up to date when we make some progress.

Petrol is a degreasant. Any condensation forming in the tank would start to corrode it from the inside out. But I doubt it would corrode right through in the short time you state.

edda

maninthestreet wrote: »

Petrol is a degreasant. Any condensation forming in the tank would start to corrode it from the inside out. But I doubt it would corrode right through in the short time you state.

You''ve certainly all given me some ideas.

Our last mower (similar type / same garden) lasted about 8 or 9 years, so I'm definitely going to give it my best shot.