Timer belt problem Mini on PCP deal

LaurajcMini

Hello

I was wondering if anyone has any advice. I bought my car, Mini Cooper Countryman two years ago on a pcp deal. Sadly it’s now out of warranty. It broke down yesterday, I had it towed to Mini who charged £120 for diagnostics and have now advised the timer chain has broke. They need to strip the engine, further £400, and it may cost thousands due to a new belt and damage it may have done.

From what I’ve read timer belts are designed to last the duration of the cars life. The car has low mileage for its age (39,000 14 plate) it was bought as a cherished Mini and has been for every service and mot to the same mini dealership. I certainly didn’t imagine therefore it would cost me thousands two years into the deal 😭

I can’t afford these repairs without getting into a lot of debt. Has anyone had any experience of this? Is it worth appealing to Mini that this shouldn’t have happened and perhaps will they help towards costs?

Thank you

AdrianC

It's not just a little bit out of the manufacturer's warranty - it's two years out.

Sure, you can ask about a goodwill contribution, but you're still going to get a large bill at the end.

Cam chain issues on the Prince engine in certain Minis (including yours) is far from unknown, but complete failure is usually preceded for quite a while by a very apparent rattling noise.

tedted

what year is your mini

Arklight

Maybe before paying the £400 for the engine strip appeal to Mini to see if they will offer goodwill. You never know, they may at least waive that. If not, the £400 may well be good money after bad if you don't want to spend thousands on a new engine. Have you asked the garage about the cost for just putting in a reconditioned engine?

motorguy

Arklight wrote: »

Maybe before paying the £400 for the engine strip appeal to Mini to see if they will offer goodwill. You never know, they may at least waive that. If not, the £400 may well be good money after bad if you don't want to spend thousands on a new engine. Have you asked the garage about the cost for just putting in a reconditioned engine?

They tend not to offer a goodwill until it is confirmed what the problem is, which is going to cost £400.

I wouldnt be asking "the garage" for a quote for a recon engine as its currently in a BMW main dealer's garage.

There will be much cheaper independent garage options.

roddydogs

Belt or chain? Unusual for a chain to go.

k3lvc

And for clarity you have no extra rights at this stage on a PCP deal - in fact it's slightly more complicated as you need to either pay for the car outright (either now or when balloon payment is due) or hand them back a fully working car. This is one of the key reasons why a 2nd hand car on a longish PCP needs to have either a warranty or a savings pot for situations like this

chunkytfg

roddydogs wrote: »

Belt or chain? Unusual for a chain to go.

It’ll be a chain. And on this car it really isn’t!

motorguy

k3lvc wrote: »

And for clarity you have no extra rights at this stage on a PCP deal - in fact it's slightly more complicated as you need to either pay for the car outright (either now or when balloon payment is due) or hand them back a fully working car. This is one of the key reasons why a 2nd hand car on a longish PCP needs to have either a warranty or a savings pot for situations like this

Unless someone is prepared to just scrap their car after a major failure, then this applies to non PCP deals also? eg cash purchase, hp, etc.

k3lvc

motorguy wrote: »

Unless someone is prepared to just scrap their car after a major failure, then this applies to non PCP deals also? eg cash purchase, hp, etc.

Of course - it seemed that OP was questioning whether she had additional rights as part of PCP. There was a similar post recently where someone was trying to get out of payment of PCP as car was 'broken' and buyers sometimes don't understand their responsibility to maintain car in a roadworthy state.

Inner_Zone

roddydogs wrote: »

Belt or chain? Unusual for a chain to go.

No, know issue with some BMW's (other than Mini) and some Vauxhall's.