Problems with used car just bought and warranty

seville_2003

Hi,

I'm looking for some help with a used car I've just bought. Firstly, I'm not an expert on cars and this is infact my first so really just want to know where I stand going forward.
I just last week bought a BMW 1 Series, it's about 9 years old but in pretty good condition, the car came with a 1 month mechanical warranty.
I got the car checked over yesterday and was told that the front arms on either side are done and need replaced which is around £200. And there is also an oil leak somewhere, the mechanic isn't sure where its coming from though. Other than that everything is in good condition and the car only just passed an MOT 3 weeks ago.

Would the front arms/oil leak be covered under a mechanical warranty - I'm guessing they should be. And what is the best way to approach this with the dealer? I just feel like I may have difficulty trying to get him to comply with this. The warranty was wrote on a piece of paper and it was all very rushed.  I'm worried that he won't pay up or ignore me. Do I have any rights or other means of contact in such a situation?

Any help would be appreciated than kyou 

DUTR

Just stump the £200 and get on with life, there are much bigger issues to worry about right now.

New_World_Man

I often wonder why people get their cars checked by by their mechanic after they have bought them (rather than before). From conversations with others it appears that there is a trend to have the cars looked over to see what, if anything, might be found to claim under warranty. Of course, depending on age, price etc. there are often disputes over what constitutes a fault. A 9 year old car may have issues which are commensurate with age but are not faults as such.

HHarry

If the front arms were in good enough condition to pass an MOT 3 weeks ago, they won’t be ‘done’ now.
If they are done, then I’d be more worried about a dodgy MOT.  And they won’t be covered  under warranty on a 9 year old car - it’ll be wear & tear.

m0bov

Should have got the car checked BEFORE handing over the money.

KimJongUn88

Jet wash the engine, keep an eye on the oil level. Top up as and when required. 
Keep driving it until the front arms start knocking. 

[Deleted User]

For future reference if it comes with a 1 month warranty that's because they are hoping whatever is wrong with it lasts a month before you notice.

[Deleted User]

How much did you pay for the car?

Just being nosey!

EdGasketTheSecond

KimJongUn88 said:

Jet wash the engine, keep an eye on the oil level. Top up as and when required. 
Keep driving it until the front arms start knocking. 

No, no, no, never ever jet wash an engine. You'll end up shorting out electronic modules and it'll never run again. You have to use engine cleaner and rag; no other safe way. You may be able to steam clean the bottom end of the engine if you are very careful to stay clear of all wires and anything rubber.

The oil leak can't be too bad or it would have failed the MoT so unless you are topping up daily, I would just live with it and check the oil level regularly.

Clive_Woody

EdGasketTheSecond said:

KimJongUn88 said:

Jet wash the engine, keep an eye on the oil level. Top up as and when required. 
Keep driving it until the front arms start knocking. 

No, no, no, never ever jet wash an engine. You'll end up shorting out electronic modules and it'll never run again. You have to use engine cleaner and rag; no other safe way. You may be able to steam clean the bottom end of the engine if you are very careful to stay clear of all wires and anything rubber.

The oil leak can't be too bad or it would have failed the MoT so unless you are topping up daily, I would just live with it and check the oil level regularly.

I did wonder when I read that. I freely admit I know next to nothing about car engines, but the thought of blasting it with a pressure washer struck me as a bad idea.

Ectophile

It's worth bearing in mind that a 1 month used car warranty is unlikely to pay out on anything, ever.

Most won't cover pre-existing faults, or "wear and tear" items.  Pretty much anything that goes wrong within one month will fall into one of those two categories.