Used Car - Tyre Pressure Valve Fault - Am I Covered?

gr_96

What did you buy? Used Car.

When did you buy it? October 2019.

Where from? Local reputable dealership.

How did you pay? IIRC it was in full on my debit card (retrospectively should have maybe used the CC...)

What went wrong/What are the vendors telling you?
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light has been coming on frequently, and the tyre is dropping ~10PSI every fortnight. The tyre was relatively new when the issue came about, and I've had the tyre checked for leaks and it appears that's not the issue. The dealership advised that this is a 'common fault' and that they could get it sorted.

The first 2 times they had the vehicle in, they did not manage to successfully repair and they at no point asked for any money. This third time, they've replaced a part and are asking for ~£100 for the work carried out. I've refused to pay the invoice at this time. The salesperson has said they will "speak to the manager and get back in touch on Monday". When I asked why they didn't charge the first 2 times, they said they "...thought the car was covered under their extended warranty, but it wasn't and they covered the costs as that was their mistake".
I'm under the impression this should be covered under the Sale of Goods Act, and most of the articles I've read online do appear to support me. This vehicle has developed a fault rendering it not fit for purpose, and has not lasted a reasonable length of time. It may not be relevant, but the vehicle is 2015 registered too, so it's not even an 'old car'.

What do we reckon?

Aylesbury_Duck

I reckon a trivial fault like that doesn't render a five year old car unfit for purpose. 

You say it's a sensor fault, but also that the tyre is losing pressure. So that makes the sensor correct, doesn't it?

Grumpy_chap

Is the TPMS standard equipment for the car?  Or an optional item (factory fit)?  Or an aftermarket device?

Is the tyre actually losing pressure, or just the sensor system showing loss of pressure?

You have had the car for over a year, so difficult to reject.  Working with the garage is the best course of action. 

I think a faulty TPMS is now an MOT fail, so more than a trivial matter.  Outside of that, I would have agreed with @Aylesbury_Duck

born_again

Obvious answer is either a faulty tyre valve (very cheap fix) or that the wheel rim is damaged or some corrosion causing it not to seal against the tyre properly.
Which to be fair on a 5 year old car, that you have owned for a year, would not be unexpected.
Take it to a local tyre fitter (not one of the main high street brands)

TBH. Even if you had paid on a CC it's not in the realms of Breech of Contract of Misrepresentation. As it is consumable parts you are looking at.

gr_96

So they described it as the TPMS that was at fault, but I'd disagree, I'm sure it must be the valve. The tyre is definitely losing pressure, as I'm having to refill it every 2 weeks, as it drops ~10PSI.
@Grumpy_chap - it's my understanding that the TPMS is factory standard. A quick Google leads me to believe that this system is all covered under standard warranty, for information.

If I'd have known it may have been chargeable, I would have considered other garages for more competitive prices. But since the last 2 times it had been in for an attempted repair, I was not charged, I was under the impression it was being covered by them.

Plus, if I do have to pay this, but the work does not fix the issue, then what? I have to pay for another part/labour, as it was misdiagnosed initially?

gr_96

When running through the advisory system on https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/used-car/ask-repair-replace it returns the following;

You're entitled to a repair or replacement, free of charge if you bought the car from a dealer less than 6 years ago (or 5 years in Scotland). This is because you're protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (in force from 1st October 2015), or the Sale of Goods Act if you bought the car before October 1st 2015.
In most cases this will be a repair, as providing a replacement car would be a disproportionate cost.

Is this not accurate? Also, under the standard 'fit for purpose' 'reasonable length of time' argument, whilst the car may be now 5 years old (which I still believe is less than a reasonable length of time for a new car), I've only had it 1? So does that clock not reset, as it's a new sale? Although, I appreciate that 'reasonable length of time' has never really been defined and is subjective and relative.

I also feel I can't agree that it could be 'reasonable wear and tear'. This is the valve on the wheel, therefore it's not like it's a consumable or it's constantly being hammered?

williamgriffin

gr_96 said:

So they described it as the TPMS that was at fault, but I'd disagree, I'm sure it must be the valve. The tyre is definitely losing pressure, as I'm having to refill it every 2 weeks, as it drops ~10PSI.
@Grumpy_chap - it's my understanding that the TPMS is factory standard. A quick Google leads me to believe that this system is all covered under standard warranty, for information.

If I'd have known it may have been chargeable, I would have considered other garages for more competitive prices. But since the last 2 times it had been in for an attempted repair, I was not charged, I was under the impression it was being covered by them.

Plus, if I do have to pay this, but the work does not fix the issue, then what? I have to pay for another part/labour, as it was misdiagnosed initially?

Why not just get the valve replaced?

For a few quid is it worth all this hassle?

gr_96

Less the hassle and more the principle. The car should last more than 12 months, final. ?

Plus, I don't mind paying someone for a job, it's just when they've not asked for payment for the first 2 times and then the 3rd they tell me it's going to be ~£100 it's a bit of a shock. As it's likely I would have got a quote from another garage first. The only reason I returned to the dealership, was due to the fact I believed it should be covered by them...?

Also, if ~£100 is 'a few quid' you should count yourself lucky dude!

williamgriffin

Take the wheel to a tyre shop and have the valve replaced for a couple of quid.

Aylesbury_Duck

gr_96 said:

When running through the advisory system on https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/used-car/ask-repair-replace it returns the following;

You're entitled to a repair or replacement, free of charge if you bought the car from a dealer less than 6 years ago (or 5 years in Scotland). This is because you're protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (in force from 1st October 2015), or the Sale of Goods Act if you bought the car before October 1st 2015.
In most cases this will be a repair, as providing a replacement car would be a disproportionate cost.

Is this not accurate? Also, under the standard 'fit for purpose' 'reasonable length of time' argument, whilst the car may be now 5 years old (which I still believe is less than a reasonable length of time for a new car), I've only had it 1? So does that clock not reset, as it's a new sale? Although, I appreciate that 'reasonable length of time' has never really been defined and is subjective and relative.

I also feel I can't agree that it could be 'reasonable wear and tear'. This is the valve on the wheel, therefore it's not like it's a consumable or it's constantly being hammered?

I disagree. A tyre and its valve would be considered as consumables. They are constantly being hammered - think of the forces they undergo over a year of motoring.  It's unrealistic to expect such parts to last for years.  I think you're deluded if you think that a leaking tyre valve renders the car unfit for purpose.

It shouldn't cost £100 to replace a valve. If it does, it's surely because of the sensor system attached to it, but if the valve has a physical leak, that's not a failing of the sensor system, and I'm afraid it's the price you pay for such gadgets.  Slow leaks happen all the time as tyres and valves age, wheels get slightly misshapen from potholes, scuffing  kerbs, etc.  Fixing them is a standard cost of motoring.  The more complex the systems and sensors, the more expensive they are likely to be to maintain and replace.

photome

is it is it the valve or the TPMS?  If it’s the valve get it replaced for a few quid there is no way any warranty would cover a 50p valve.