What are my rights

JamieJ89

Evening all. Just looking for some advice, not sure if this is in the right part of the forum so apologies if not.

Anyway, my credit isn't great but in May last year I approached a company called CarFinance247, who I guess are a credit broker and put me in contact with a garage in Luton for a vehicle I was after. Anyway, no issues with the service provided, the interest is higher than expected due to my previous Credit record. The finance is placed via MoneyBarn.

Within a month or so of getting the vehicle, there would be a squealing noise which was quite obvious (it only makes this noise after a few miles when the car warms up). I took it to the garage to be looked at, they said they thought it was crap brake pads / discs the garage had put on it were cheap and nasty and that the pads were in constant contact with the wheel, which was making this noise. So, £350 or so later got the pads and discs changed on the front. They said the rear brake pads were rubbish too and so would need to be replaced at some point too - this has to wait a few months for me to be able to save up the required money. I got the pads and discs done on the rear last week but the noise is still heard so it clearly wasnt related to this. I'm not sure where to turn now, I have to get the car looked at again to try and ascertain what the fault is.

I've had to spend another lot of money on the car a few months back too, the car had a LOT (10+) of faults on the onboard computer so had to pay money to get this put right too.

My question is what are my rights. The car has cost a lot of money so far - is it a case of just being tough and to get on with it or should I be taking it back to the garage I bought it from 9 months ago? Do I have a leg to stand on? Do I go back to the credit broker if so as they facilitated the deal, or do I go to MoneyBarn?

Any suggestions? Hope this makes a bit of sense.

thanks.

cymruchris

You can usually only reject a car within 30 days of owning it. Cars do require maintenance of course - but you don't mention the age of the car - or whether the car came with any warranty of any kind.  Pads and discs - there are some really cheap brands out there - that they work to an extent - but for brakes if you're spending the money it's usually better to go for the better branded ones.

Cars also tend to store up their fault codes so that a reader when it's plugged in can show quite a few. Not all of them are serious though, and some can be triggered and reset.

Cars do cost a lot of money - that's the joys of car ownership - but in terms of comeback - if there's no warranty - unless it's something really serious like a totally blown engine - or finding significant accident damage that they would have been more likely aware of - whereas they had set out deliberately to hoodwink you - rather than just ongoing general maintenance - I don't think there's a lot you can do other than getting it repaired and getting on with life. 

JamieJ89

Ok noted, thought as much but just didnt want to miss a trick if I should be taking it back to them (appreciate its been a while now). Its a 2011 BMW 120 D M Sport.

williamgriffin

A ten year old car isn't going to be without maintenance costs. You should have had the brakes sorted by the dealer at the time. 

So what else has cost you money?

knightstyle

You say there is a squealing noise but is this when stationary or when the wheels are turning?  Plus does it change when the engine has been running a while?

JamieJ89

knightstyle said:

You say there is a squealing noise but is this when stationary or when the wheels are turning?  Plus does it change when the engine has been running a while?

When the wheels are turning. This is why the garage thought it was the brakes that were causing the issue but clearly not.

It's not really noticable for the first few miles but really noticeable once I've done a 20min drive on the motorway for example.

TadleyBaggie

Wheel bearings would be my first thought.

williamgriffin

TadleyBaggie said:

Wheel bearings would be my first thought.

Snap......

JamieJ89

TadleyBaggie said:

Wheel bearings would be my first thought.

Assuming not all would need to be replaced? Is this an expensive job?

cymruchris

JamieJ89 said:

TadleyBaggie said:

Wheel bearings would be my first thought.

Assuming not all would need to be replaced? Is this an expensive job?

Wheel bearings all wear out eventually - there's a set at each corner - one per wheel. It may be that you change the noisy one first - but the others might not be far behind depending on mileage, but equally they may go on for years yet.  There are some things you should change in sets or pairs (such as shock absorbers or brake disks) - but wheel bearings aren't one of them. As long as the other bearings don't have excessive play - you only need to replace the noisy one.  I imagine the part will cost between £50-80 depending on the brand/quality you choose - and then the labour on top. If your existing garage identified the squeal as brake discs - I might consider choosing another garage this time around. 

JamieJ89

Great, thank you. Will get it looked at.