Car Finance disaster-please help!

KatieWood

This is my firs time posting so here goes!

December 2012 I got finance on a 2005 Mini Cooper. I put down a £500 deposit and the total to pay was £6000. I had three months warranty with the garage, although they had told me they had just replaced the brake pads and everything was fine. Two months in and the fusers for my heated seats went. They fixed them but they have since stopped working and never turned on again! Then, just after the three month warranty ended my fan broke. I quickly got it fixed and didn't bother involving them. About 3 months down the line the car started to over heat every day (thought it could be the thermostat) but a new garage couldn't quite work it out although they did spot an oil leak. I then had about two weeks of every day the car was breaking bit by bit and eventually konked out on the motorway with steam coming from the bonnet and the car not moving. I found out it was the head gasket. I spoke Close Motor Finance (which asked me why I haven't contacted the garage I brought the car from even though their agreement says to always deal with them!?). I took the car to my local garage and they gave me an absolutely huge list of things wrong with the car, these included - head gasket broken, radiator split, front and rear brake pads need replacing, clutch needs replacing, exhaust was on its way out, water pump needed replacing etc. CMF sent my car for inspection at Smile Repairs and their report came back it was all fair wear and tear. Was this a joke? I then had to fork out £2000 in total for repairs. I have also since had hardly any communication from them when I have complained and the gear box later failed!! I have, in total, spent around £3500 on this car. They won't take it back until I am half way through payments. I am furious I pay £162 a month for this thing. Do I have a leg to stand on in court? I want to hand the car back and I want compensation. Help!

CKhalvashi

I've never known a gasket problem with the Cooper (the One is different story)

What sort of mileage are we talking? Although it is a 9 years old car and may come down to reasonable wear and tear.

CK

Antimoron

What a joke.

I drive a super immaculate Honda Accord, Automatic, leather seats, factory fitted Sat nav, Original Bose entertainment, heated seats - all the works basically.

Cost me £1500.

You've spent over twice on fixing alone - a car which you don't even own.

Just convinces me I have the right idea on not wasting my or money splurging on a new car - like many people who "need a reliable new car and need it asap"

Not judging you OP or anyone who chooses to borrow for their car - to each his own. I'm just saying, I just mean that these sort of incidents validate my take on the matter.

flashg67

Did the report say why the radiator had split? This could well be the cause of the head gasket failure and something that could have been caused by road damage and even spotted before it got that bad with regular checks of the levels etc - you've admitted you noticed it was overheating yet continued to drive the car until it broke down!

I have to agree and say that a lot of things you've mentioned are wear and tear on an 8 year old car and you've chosen a car that is on the pricey side to repair.

You have to accept things will wear out, and if you've had the work done elsewhere, I'm going to suggest you've no comeback, or have jeapordised your chances of a good outcome with the dealer.

ripplyuk

That must be so frustrating. Big repair bills while you still have a monthly payment. I think the problem is that once it's out of the 3 month warranty, pretty much anything that goes wrong on a car that age gets called normal wear and tear. It seems to be pot luck with cars.

Thrugelmir

About 3 months down the line the car started to over heat every day (thought it could be the thermostat) but a new garage couldn't quite work it out although they did spot an oil leak. I then had about two weeks of every day the car was breaking bit by bit and eventually konked out on the motorway with steam coming from the bonnet and the car not moving. I found out it was the head gasket.

If you've allowed the car to overheat. Then yes you'll blow the head gasket.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Let's be honest. It's a nine year old car. How many miles has it done? All the above posters have valid points.

I cannot see how you would have any come-back to anybody about the faults you have listed on your car. It's down to wear and tear.

I've always believed that small cars wear out faster than large cars because they have mostly smaller parts which are not as robust as those for large cars. Maybe this is something you should consider when buying future cars.

That's one of the reasons why I drive a Mondeo and not a super mini.

Gettingolder

The rules have changed to protect the consumer. Phone the finance company and tell them that the car is not "fit for purpose". you are entitled to get your money back. I would imagine that the dealer will offer to pay for the work. If the finance company still mess you around threaten them with going to the FOS.

chanz4

Gettingolder wrote: »

The rules have changed to protect the consumer. Phone the finance company and tell them that the car is not "fit for purpose". you are entitled to get your money back. I would imagine that the dealer will offer to pay for the work. If the finance company still mess you around threaten them with going to the FOS.

Its a 9 year old car, its wear and tear also over priced bmw

Gettingolder

The original issue with the seats was infact reported while under warranty. I would still take the case to the FOS as you have nothing to lose.

somethingcorporate

Antimoron wrote: »

What a joke.

<snip>

Not judging you OP or anyone who chooses to borrow for their car - to each his own. I'm just saying, I just mean that these sort of incidents validate my take on the matter.

+1, I've never paid more than £1500 for a car and almost certainly never will. I was running with my club the other night when one of the guys that constantly moans about money problems says he is going to buy a new mini on finance after his really old car is giving up and spent a long time explaining the benefits of buying on finance, can pay the balloon payment at the end or just swap it for another new one. I wonder how many tens of thousands that is going to cost him to never own a car.