sold as a 4x4 but missing propshaft do i have a claim?

Geodark

arcon5 wrote: »

You don't buy a 4wd then remove the propshaft for economy. More like the rear transfer box has jammed up so it was removed to avoid spending money making it a fwd.
Go back to the dealer. It gets complicated if they say it was fine when sold otherwise you should have rights.

had a look at 5 or 6 freelanders a few years back and each one of them had the prop removed due to VCU/IRD problems. of course they claim its for economy - but as you say, why by a 4x4 then convert it to 2wd!

AdrianC

A quick google finds the situation to be roughly similar to the Freelander - transfer box problems... It appears to mainly be the usual, utterly predictable, cause - insufficient attention being paid to keeping front and rear tyres the same diameter, causing the centre diff to work overtime.

Your main problem is going to be proving the fault was present at the time of purchase. And, at the end of the day, it's a 9yo car, so problems are to be expected.

The car is 4x4 - it's just a 4x4 that's been temporarily modified to be RWD, due to a problem.

Gloomendoom

arcon5 wrote: »

You don't buy a 4wd then remove the propshaft for economy.

One of my relatives had a Renault 4x4 people carrier thing that developed a problem with the propshaft centre bearing, so he removed it with the intention of getting it fixed. However, he noticed an immediate 5 mpg improvement in fuel economy. He didn't put it back on.

I would suggest that, if he/she hasn't already, the OP asks for advice on the Kia Owners Club forum...

http://www.kiaownersclub.co.uk/forum/sorento-20102015_forum42.html?SID=05179593ecd6czf412c583z6946f634875

motorguy

bigjl wrote: »

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As clearly the selling dealer knew it was missing or indeed bought a faulty Sorento and removed it to get it sold.

Why?

Surely the car could have been traded in and resold with the dealer - as with the O/P - oblivious to it? I cant see any trader either whipping out a propshaft OR being aware of it knowing the buyer was going to cotton on at some point. Maybe some sort of meet-you-at-tescos fly by night merchant, but any dealer with any premises at all would be plain daft to do that.

Could be hard to prove now that the propshaft wasnt there at the time of sale?

Herzlos

arcon5 wrote: »

You don't buy a 4wd then remove the propshaft for economy..

You might; you can buy loads of SUV's in 2wd form new, and you may just not need the extra drive; you may be more interested in the ride height or load space.

That said, if someone took it off for economy, you'd think they'd either replace it or leave it in the boot when trading it in.

societys_child

The trader may not have known, many don't do much more than a jolly good clean and polish, and as said earlier, it is still a 4x4.

dannyrst

I think you need to speak to the garage and simply ask them about the situation, rather than speculate why/how/who/when/what. Chances are they have no idea it was done. Then comes the tricky bit as to whether they should fix it or not.

shaun_from_Africa

If the previous owners name and address is showing on the V5, it might be worth sending them a polite letter.
Explain that you realise that it is now nothing to do with them, but you were wondering if they removed the propshaft and if so, do they by any chance still have it.


If they respond and say that they did remove it for some reason, you then have evidence that it was in that condition when sold to you.
It might also be worth checking the MOT history to see if there were any failures or advisories relating to this component.

burlington6

bigjl wrote: »

I looked at buying a Sorento a few months ago and this is not unusual according to the forums (propshaft being removed).

I doubt the 6 month limit would apply surely? As clearly the selling dealer knew it was missing or indeed bought a faulty Sorento and removed it to get it sold.

From the little bit of research I did the repair is not cheap.

Lets throw a few more wild accusations about

The OP was sold a car with the prop shaft, it developed a fault which they might have to pay for so decided to make up a story about how it never had one when they bought it.

motorguy

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

If the previous owners name and address is showing on the V5, it might be worth sending them a polite letter.
Explain that you realise that it is now nothing to do with them, but you were wondering if they removed the propshaft and if so, do they by any chance still have it.


If they respond and say that they did remove it for some reason, you then have evidence that it was in that condition when sold to you.
It might also be worth checking the MOT history to see if there were any failures or advisories relating to this component.

I cant see anyone doing anything with a letter other than ignoring it. A letter smacks of formality, and i'd doubt the previous owner will want to get involved.