Mechanics and Sale Of Goods Act

robocop79

Hi all,

I had the rear wheel bearings changed on my car back in Sept 2010, after 152k miles.

Now, 20 months and only 28k miles later, they're going again and need replacing.

Can anyone advise on where I stand legally re something like this?

I'm not sure whether the Sale Of Goods Act covers things like this, or whether there's some other legislation that I need to look at.

The garage have refused to help saying it's been too long. However, I'm surprised how the original bearings lasted 152k miles, and the replacement ones have lasted less than a 1/5th of the distance.

Thanks in advance!

wealdroam

robocop79 wrote: »

Hi all,

I had the rear wheel bearings changed on my car back in Sept 2010, after 152k miles.

Now, 20 months and only 28k miles later, they're going again and need replacing.

Can anyone advise on where I stand legally re something like this?

I'm not sure whether the Sale Of Goods Act covers things like this, or whether there's some other legislation that I need to look at.

The garage have refused to help saying it's been too long. However, I'm surprised how the original bearings lasted 152k miles, and the replacement ones have lasted less than a 1/5th of the distance.

Thanks in advance!

After six months, the onus is on you to prove that the goods are inherently faulty.
Inherently faulty means that the fault is due to a manufacturing defect and was present at the time of sale althoungh not necessarily apparent at that time, and not due to fair wear and tear or abuse.

You may have trouble proving that.
You will need an independant expert's opinion.

Having proved that they are inherently faulty (if you can), you are entitled to a remedy which could be a repair, refund or replacement. Your choice, but you cannot force a remedy that is disproportionately costly.
If a refund is decided upon, then that can be reduced to take account of the use you have had.

Be aware that things like wheel bearings are quite easily damaged by wrongful fitting.

Were the replacement bearings the same quality as the originals?

Lots of variables here. I see a struggle ahead.

benham3160

There are many variables here, and whilst it's possible they could be badly fitted, or low quality it could just as easily be argued that it's just "one of those things."

Feel your pain, but as above, you may have a struggle.

Regards,
Andy

AlexisV

Your original bearings lasted a lot longer than I'd expect.

Flyboy152

robocop79 wrote: »

Hi all,

I had the rear wheel bearings changed on my car back in Sept 2010, after 152k miles.

Now, 20 months and only 28k miles later, they're going again and need replacing.

Can anyone advise on where I stand legally re something like this?

I'm not sure whether the Sale Of Goods Act covers things like this, or whether there's some other legislation that I need to look at.

The garage have refused to help saying it's been too long. However, I'm surprised how the original bearings lasted 152k miles, and the replacement ones have lasted less than a 1/5th of the distance.

Thanks in advance!

How has it been established that the bearings are worn?

TrickyWicky

You got 28K out of new bearings? - You can't sniff at that. My partners ford Ka gets through wishbones in less than 8K.

How do you know the original bearings survived over 150K? - Did you have the car from new?

Also hitting a bad pothole could damage a bearing. YOU may not of hit one but anyone else that uses your car might have done.

robocop79

Flyboy152 wrote: »

How has it been established that the bearings are worn?

The garage confirmed this when I returned the car.

robocop79

TrickyWicky wrote: »

You got 28K out of new bearings? - You can't sniff at that. My partners ford Ka gets through wishbones in less than 8K.

If I had to replace anything (other than tyres, breaks, etc) so often I'd change the car. The Ka can't be designed very well if that's typical of all Ka's.

TrickyWicky wrote: »

How do you know the original bearings survived over 150K? - Did you have the car from new?

Also hitting a bad pothole could damage a bearing. YOU may not of hit one but anyone else that uses your car might have done.

The car was my brothers lease car, which I then purchased, and had a full dealer service history. The bearings I had replaced were the original bearings.

Fair point re wear & tear, no one else has driven the car, and I would still have expected them to have lasted at least half the distance the originals did.

Thanks.

robocop79

wealdroam wrote: »

Lots of variables here. I see a struggle ahead.

benham3160 wrote: »

Feel your pain, but as above, you may have a struggle.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I'll put my thoughts in writing to them but appreciate there's probably not a lot that can [easily] be done.

It will be time to change the car soon and I'll just make sure I find a different garage in future

wealdroam

Old bearings lasted 150k.

New bearings lasted 28k.

Could even be a case of "they don't make 'em like they used to".

TrickyWicky

Were the replacement bearings the original manufacturer parts or cheap quality after market parts? - I reckon its the latter.

As for the ka, no they're not great cars. Pretty shoddy actually but the engine and box are indestructible so its better the devil we know - it starts rattling or swaying on the road and its wishbone time again. In a way its nice because its easy to diagnose and get sorted rather than a new 'different' fault every few months that has you scratching your head for hours on end trying to work out whats wrong. It is irritating but its easy enough to get sorted and its cheap to run but I personally prefer bigger better built cars.