car part supplied in April 2016 is wrong spec

webbhost

Hi All,

I have a jaguar x-type. I purchased 2 x new lower control arms for it 2 years ago (April 2016). It has just come to light that the part I was supplied by my local autoparts place was NOT the correct part and was in fact designed for a ford mondeo - and listed as their system as compatible with a jaguar x-type.

The dimensions of these arms are different and the result has been that unbeknown to me, both of my back wheels have had a negative camber and it has ruined 2 x £100 tyres that were also fitted 2 years ago at about the same time.

This seems to be a widespread issue of these incorrect parts being sold to jaguar x-type dealers so I have just e-mailed trading standards for advice as frankly I feel a recall is needed... the parts are going to ruin peoples tyres and be potentially dangerous due to reduced road traction and chance of a blow-out.


I am going to take the supplied part - AND an original jaguar part to the parts supplier next week to show them the difference of the 2 parts and therefore prove that the part they supplied was faulty at the time of purchase and not fit for purpose.


Can anyone tell me where I stand legally with this? With it being purchased in April 16:

1) Can I still demand a refund with it being 1 year and 11 months ago - under the argument that the part was faulty when supplied.

2) Can I claim compensation from them for the damaged tyres that would have lasted another 2-3 years if they had supplied the correct part?


Thanks - Pictures can be supplied if requested.. trying to find my cables to upload pics to PC

unholyangel

webbhost wrote: »

Can anyone tell me where I stand legally with this? With it being purchased in April 16:

1) Can I still demand a refund with it being 1 year and 11 months ago - under the argument that the part was faulty when supplied.

2) Can I claim compensation from them for the damaged tyres that would have lasted another 2-3 years if they had supplied the correct part?


Thanks - Pictures can be supplied if requested.. trying to find my cables to upload pics to PC

1) No, you'd be required to give them an opportunity to repair or replace before you'd be able to insist on a refund.

2) Did they fit the part? If the fitter was a third party then they may have broke the chain of causation.

neilmcl

webbhost wrote: »

2) Can I claim compensation from them for the damaged tyres that would have lasted another 2-3 years if they had supplied the correct part?

That's a rather big assumption you're making there. How many miles have you driven on these so-called "ruined" tyres?

webbhost

They were fitted by myself after I purchased from them. They are not a garage, they just supply parts. My assumption on tyre life was based on the amount of tread left on the tyres and normal lasting life.

I do about 5000 miles a year and still had between 5-6 mm tread left on a majority of the tyre so even at the minimum expectation of a tyre lasting for 20,000 miles it should have lasted another 2 years.

unholyangel, that's fine - If they want to replace with the correct spec ones then I'd be happy with that to be honest, even if I have just purchased proper jag ones as it would give me spares as a back-up incase the new ones go wrong.

mattyprice4004

Minimum expectation of 20,000 miles?
Are you fitting plastic tyres? 10-15k is much more reasonable

webbhost

There's no solid determination as to a minimum mileage - however AA suggests this. In fact given it was my back tyres, they actually suggest I should get double that.

"You'd hope to get a minimum of 20,000 miles out of front tyres on a front-wheel-drive car, and double that for rear tyres although we recommend moving worn rear tyres to the front when the fronts wear out."

https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/safety/tyre-life-and-age

webbhost

A decent tyre would normally last me 4-5 years as long as tracking and camber is in-line.. If you are only getting 10,000 miles out of a tyre I would suggest you need this checked unless you're only doing 2000 miles a year.

takman

You probably realise this now but it's always a good idea to get the 4 wheel alignment checked after doing any work on the suspension. It doesn't have to be expensive a place local to me has the latest Hunter equipment and only charge £39.99 for a full check and two adjustments.

webbhost

Yep, I can get one from the next village over (4 wheel laser which includes camber) for £30. I plan to have this done after I finish work just to make sure there is nothing else dodgy still going on.

forgotmyname

You changed the suspension and didnt get the alignment done? The X-Type is a Mondeo underneath. I have bought several items from Jaguar for my Mondeo because oddly its cheaper than buying from Ford.

Sounds like the arms were fine but you didnt get the suspension adjusted.

bigstevex

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

Minimum expectation of 20,000 miles?
Are you fitting plastic tyres? 10-15k is much more reasonable

Strange statement, I'm on 22k miles on my tyres, down to 5mm on the rear and 2.8mm on front. Pirelli P zero 20" so not a hard compound either.