BMW X1 windscreen sprayer not working

iqy007

Hi,

I have purchased an approved used BMW X1 (14 reg) from the dealer, end July 2017

I purchased BMW approved screen wash from same location on 20th January 2018 after getting warning indication for empty screen wash, after one week of topping up the screen wash my front screen wash stopped working – this is in about 6 months of purchase

I booked a service on 31st Jan and took my car to the dealer where they gave me an estimate of £192.40 for cleaning a clogged up screen wash filter as this is not covered under warranty, therefore I would like to know
1. Is it correct for BMW to consider it acceptable and normal for an approved used car to develop such fault within 6 months of purchase?
2. Should BMW consider it outside of warranty?
3. Should BMW consider it acceptable to sell approved used cars that may develop such faults within 6 months of sale and use and following manufactures instruction in using approved parts?

almillar

I would like to think one of their umpteen point checks on their used vehicles would include being sold a car with a clean filter. But then can you prove after 6 months, that it was clogged at time of purchase, and that it caused the damage?

LandyAndy

is this what they are needing to do?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b-PHZ_zNB4

DiY?

I realise its a 1 series and not an X1 but Youtube couldn't find the latter.

May explain why the dealer wants £200.

Mercdriver

iqy007 wrote: »

Hi,

I have purchased an approved used BMW X1 (14 reg) from the dealer, end July 2017

I purchased BMW approved screen wash from same location on 20th January 2018 after getting warning indication for empty screen wash, after one week of topping up the screen wash my front screen wash stopped working – this is in about 6 months of purchase

I booked a service on 31st Jan and took my car to the dealer where they gave me an estimate of £192.40 for cleaning a clogged up screen wash filter as this is not covered under warranty, therefore I would like to know
1. Is it correct for BMW to consider it acceptable and normal for an approved used car to develop such fault within 6 months of purchase?
2. Should BMW consider it outside of warranty?
3. Should BMW consider it acceptable to sell approved used cars that may develop such faults within 6 months of sale and use and following manufactures instruction in using approved parts?

Thank your lucky stars it isn't an X5. To change a split pipe for the screen wash, the right wing had to be removed. We didn't get this done at the dealership, but at an indy...it was out of warranty by this point.

System

iqy007 wrote: »

1. Is it correct for BMW to consider it acceptable and normal for an approved used car to develop such fault within 6 months of purchase?

Yes. A filter is a consumable. Remember that you may have only owned the car for 6 months but its actually 3 years old. Also because of where it is it isn't reasonable to expect them to be able to know about it being fairly blocked when they sold it. As long as the washers are working correctly when they sell it they have no reason to suspect it.

2. Should BMW consider it outside of warranty?

Consumables such as filters, brake pads and engine oil aren't covered by a warranty for wear due to use because they're consumable items. Filters get blocked over time merely by use, brake pads wear out due to being used, engine oil degrades. It is impossible to make ones that don't.

3. Should BMW consider it acceptable to sell approved used cars that may develop such faults within 6 months of sale and use and following manufactures instruction in using approved parts?

Its a filter. Filters get blocked over time. That filter isn't 6 months old, it is three years old.

The filter has got blocked because the previous owner or one of the previous owners has just used plain water in the past. There is no way at all that BMW or the dealer could know that they have. What you're expecting in respect to this filter and BMW to do about it is unrealistic.

Whilst dealers selling used cars could do things like change this filter and ensure that things like the clutch and brakes are changed for new before sale so they are definitely going to last 12 months or more doing so would add a massive cost to the purchase price of a used car, you could easily be looking at over £1000.

Jonesya

Tarambor wrote: »

Its a filter. Filters get blocked over time. That filter isn't 6 months old, it is three years old.

But that being the case, you would expect it to be reasonably accessible so it can be replaced when required, you wouldn't expect a bill for £200 to replace a small filter which probably only costs a couple of quid.

As it is, I think it must be unlucky because I never had and never known anyone get a blocked screen wash filter, in fact I'd question whether it is a consumable because I've never seen it listed on any service schedule I've seen.

Maybe it's a BMW thing?

Iceweasel

The problem is often an algae/fungal growth due to previous owners using a cheap screenwash without anti fungal properties.

2 or 3 Steradent tablets in a pint of water to top up the bottle often clears it up after a few days.

arcon5

Tale it to a local independent. You'll half the price at least!!

Or you may get lucky and they try blow air down one of the pipes to dislodge to the build up. Now long it will stay fixed though is anyone's guess

System

Jonesya wrote: »

But that being the case, you would expect it to be reasonably accessible so it can be replaced when required, you wouldn't expect a bill for £200 to replace a small filter which probably only costs a couple of quid.

As it is, I think it must be unlucky because I never had and never known anyone get a blocked screen wash filter, in fact I'd question whether it is a consumable because I've never seen it listed on any service schedule I've seen.

Maybe it's a BMW thing?

There are all kinds of filters in cars that aren't easily accessible. On the pick up pipe in the fuel tank there's a sock filter on the end of it that in many cases is only accessible by removing the fuel tank. There's a filter on the end of the oil pick up pipe in the sump, if you've an automatic gearbox there's usually a filter somewhere above the sump pan in that as well. In the case of the automatic gearbox that is a consumable but you'll not find changing that in any service schedule. All of those filters if they needed changing would come with some quite considerable bills for labour to change a fairly cheap item.

ttoli

I'm surprised that nobody has suggested the Obvious , plenty of threads on google https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm5Aj147Pic though I'd be along the lines on using compressed air

iqy007

almillar wrote: »

I would like to think one of their umpteen point checks on their used vehicles would include being sold a car with a clean filter. But then can you prove after 6 months, that it was clogged at time of purchase, and that it caused the damage?

Yes I can prove it that is why the service fella told me that it does not matter what liquid you use, he himself uses supermarket one, this thing is not covered under warranty not even on brand new cars!