New Engine Required - 1 Year Ownership

JRC81

Just over a year ago I bought a 2013 BMW from a national dealership.

Throughout the first year I've had the car into the dealership 3-4 times for the same, low coolant problems.

This week when driving home the car was juddering and low coolant once again came on. I pulled over and got toed to the dealership. I have now been informed by the dealer that the engine has completely ceased and I require a brand new engine!

The engine as mentioned is only 5 years old and I've only owned the car just over a year. Can I argue that the dealership (or BMW are liable for the full cost of the engine). I must add that the car was serviced by the dealer 4 weeks ago with no issues!

I do have an extended guarantee on the car, but apparently this only covers me for up to £1k.

Any advice be greatly appreciated. Thanks

JJ_Egan

5 years old how many miles and what usage before you purchased .
You can certainly argue but the dealership can reject your claim .

JRC81

It's done approx 44k miles. It had one owner on purchase. Paid 12k for it, so to pay out a further 3k 12 months into purchase isn't ideal!!!

tacpot12

If you bought the car with a 1 year warranty, you might ask for some contribution as it has gone wrong only just outside the end of the warranty period. Five years is not really an acceptable life for an engine, so you could ask what the dealer thinks has caused the premature failure. My guess would be overheating due to a failed thermostat and the owner not dealing with the dashboard indication in a prompt fashion. If the dealer suggests this, then you are stuck as it not the dealers fault and if there is no warranty covering the failure, then paying for a new engine is the best way to avoid a bigger loss to dispose of the vehicle. You could ask the dealer what they will give you for it. They will be able to fit a new engine at cost, and might give you a good deal.

At least if you pay for a new engine, you will know how it has been treated and it will have 44K less on it than the car. If you want to pay for a new engine, I would ask a couple of other dealers to quote for the work. You would have to pay the cost of transport, but you might save a lot on the cover overall - the dealer the car is at is expecting that they have you over a barrel as the car is difficult to move without a working engine.

neilmcl

Was it a BMW dealership?

JRC81

Thanks for your replies.

It's stoneacre rather than BMW.

As I understand it, it's not overheating, some Oli plug has some out which has caused mixing of oil and coolant???

My guarantee covers the majority of engine parts, but has a max claim value of 1k. They're are saying if cost for example cost is 3k, I will need to pay, 2k - I think this is their statement that it's not my negligence that has caused this issue.

custardy

JRC81 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies.

It's stoneacre rather than BMW.

As I understand it, it's not overheating, some Oli plug has some out which has caused mixing of oil and coolant???

My guarantee covers the majority of engine parts, but has a max claim value of 1k. They're are saying if cost for example cost is 3k, I will need to pay, 2k - I think this is their statement that it's not my negligence that has caused this issue.

If its been using coolant and not leaking then likely a head gasket issue.
When it was in for repair previously,what was diagnosed? Was the first time within the first 6 months?

Geodark

Low coolant levels and mxing of oil and water? as said above this points to head gasket failure. Did they do a sniff test when it was in garage at any point? what repairs did they do when you have had it there in the past?