Advice needed: Consumer rights on user car

Pickel79

Hi all,

I'm after some advice....

I bought a used Mini Countryman 7 weeks ago from a non-Mini dealer, the car is 2014 and has just over 50,000 miles on the clock, and came with a dealer warranty up to £1000.

Last weekend the engine started to make a hideous noise, so we took it to the main Mini dealer to diagnose it for us. We've been told that the timing chain needs replacing and will cost in the region of £3000 to £3500.

The dealer is being very amenable at the moment...however we haven't had a discussion yet about finances.

I think I have a couple of options...a) get the work done and sort out with the dealer who pays what, or b) Get the dealer to take the car back.

Does anyone know what my consumer rights are on this matter? Obviously I don't want to be out of pocket, but don't know where I stand.

Thank you in advance!

BoGoF

What is the recommended mileage for the replacement?

DoaM

Or c) Allow the dealer an opportunity to repair the vehicle

a) removes your consumer rights as the dealer isn't given an opportunity to provide a remedy (unless he agrees in writing to this course of action)

b) the dealer doesn't have to automatically take it back - you can't exercise your Final Right to Reject unless the dealer has had an opportunity to provide a remedy. IF the dealer provides a repair and the car still doesn't conform to contract only then can you insist on returning it for a refund (which would be reduced to account for the additional miles you've added whilst owning it).

Edit: good point raised above. If the mileage for replacing it is less than the current mileage (i.e. you've taken the car beyond that mileage) then the issue resides with you.

Geodark

BoGoF wrote: »

What is the recommended mileage for the replacement?

There isnt a recommended schedule for replacing a timing chain.

What have they quoted for, surely at 3500 its more than just a replacement chain? and what mileage has the car done?

shaun_from_Africa

Geodark wrote: »

What have they quoted for, surely at 3500 its more than just a replacement chain?

As the engine "started to make a hideous noise" and this was caused by a failed or slipping timing chain, it probably requires major engine work to repair the damage.

Pickel79, when you first heard the noise, did you stop driving the car immediately and get it towed or lifted back to the dealer?

foxy-stoat

Geodark wrote: »

There isnt a recommended schedule for replacing a timing chain.

What have they quoted for, surely at 3500 its more than just a replacement chain? and what mileage has the car done?

In first post, 50,000 miles. Too soon for a chain. Take it back to the supplying dealer to sort, give them 1 chance to fix then reject if they don't.

Stop driving it immediately.

Pickel79

BoGoF wrote: »

What is the recommended mileage for the replacement?

Apparently it shouldn't need replacing if the oil has been kept topped up and had regular oil changes.....which from looking at the service history it has.

Pickel79

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

As the engine "started to make a hideous noise" and this was caused by a failed or slipping timing chain, it probably requires major engine work to repair the damage.

Pickel79, when you first heard the noise, did you stop driving the car immediately and get it towed or lifted back to the dealer?

Yes, it was driven about 1 mile before we stopped and called the AA to get lifted to a local Mini Service centre.

shaun_from_Africa

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Pickel79, when you first heard the noise, did you stop driving the car immediately and get it towed or lifted back to the dealer?

Pickel79 wrote: »

Yes, it was driven about 1 mile before we stopped

Was that 1 mile after you heard the noise?