Damage potentially caused by service

JoannaAnna

Hello, looking for a bit of advice on my situation.

In Sept 2021 I had a service and oil change at Halfords

Last Friday, my car broke down. The reason is the sump plug had come out and the oil had all leaked. It was taken on a flatbed to a local garage
Today, the (independent) local arage I took it to, have said the thread is intact and that in their opinion, the plug could only have come out if it was improperly refitted when the oil was last changed. They've put a new on inland replaced the oil. It was knocking bit but has now quietened down.

The issue is that if there has been significant damage caused to the engine due to the oil loss, I'm looking at a replacement engine which will cost in the thousands.

I'm going to ring Halfords tomorrow, but what's the likelihood they'll accept responsibility? 

If they don't, is there much chance of success through an ombudsman or small claims?

caprikid1

"I'm going to ring Halfords tomorrow, but what's the likelihood they'll accept responsibility? "

I would suspect that at the point the oil leaked out there would have been a low oil light ? Did you stop straight away ? If you did I would be surprised to have suffered so much damage.

Absolutely no chance 3 months down the line of proving a fault with the halfords service IMHO, age , make and model of car ?

JoannaAnna

Yep, it went to low oil and then no oil. I stopped immediately when the red light came on.
It's a BMW 1 series, 2016

Flight3287462

I feel for you but I think you're stuffed.  Keep your fingers crossed and if you are still worried time to sell it on.

Ms_Chocaholic

How many miles have you driven since the service

Grumpy_chap

JoannaAnna said:

Hello, looking for a bit of advice on my situation.

In Sept 2021 I had a service and oil change at Halfords

Last Friday, my car broke down. The reason is the sump plug had come out and the oil had all leaked. It was taken on a flatbed to a local garage
Today, the (independent) local arage I took it to, have said the thread is intact and that in their opinion, the plug could only have come out if it was improperly refitted when the oil was last changed. They've put a new on inland replaced the oil. It was knocking bit but has now quietened down.

The issue is that if there has been significant damage caused to the engine due to the oil loss, I'm looking at a replacement engine which will cost in the thousands.

I'm going to ring Halfords tomorrow, but what's the likelihood they'll accept responsibility? 

If they don't, is there much chance of success through an ombudsman or small claims?

if

That is one small word that makes every bit of difference to this whole scenario and before anyone can assess or advise what can be done and whether you can make a claim, the extent or absence of damage to the engine needs to be assessed.




Was the sump plug actually fully out and lost?

Was the draining of the sump a sudden and absolute event?  How much of an oil slick did you see under the car when this occurred?  Did you take a photograph?

Alternatively, was the sump plug still there, but loose and the oil had drained more slowly so you were able to stop the car as soon as the low oil pressure illuminated but there was still some oil in the engine?

Carrot007

JoannaAnna said:

In Sept 2021 I had a service and oil change at Halfords

Well that was a mistake. Did the brakes need fixing by any chance ;-)

JoannaAnna said:

I'm going to ring Halfords tomorrow, but what's the likelihood they'll accept responsibility? 

After that amount of time about zero.

JoannaAnna said:

If they don't, is there much chance of success through an ombudsman or small claims?

After that amount of time about zero.

Unless....

JoannaAnna said:

Today, the (independent) local arage I took it to, have said the thread is intact and that in their opinion, the plug could only have come out if it was improperly refitted when the oil was last changed. They've put a new on inland replaced the oil. It was knocking bit but has now quietened down.

They are prepared to put that in wrtiting for you to use against t hem in court. Chance of that? About zero.

Why did you even use halfords if you have an independent anyway? Seems silly.

JoannaAnna

I know, if if if!

Sump plug was completely out and lost.
It went from low oil light coming on, to no oil light in the space of a minute or two.
 I didn't take a photo - probably should have, but it was dark and raining and car was partially in the carriageway, so not really practical.

I'm hoping that it's just the worse case scenario that there's long term damage, but from what my garage are telling me, there's not really any way to know, as the affected parts would be deep within the engine

Carrot007

JoannaAnna said:

Sump plug was completely out and lost.
It went from low oil light coming on, to no oil light in the space of a minute or two.

And you immediately pulled over at low light right? Otherwise even if you could prove it you are partially to blame, and get a lower payout if you could proove it.

JoannaAnna said:

 but from what my garage are telling me, there's not really any way to know, as the affected parts would be deep within the engine

Without any proof you are not getting anything.

caprikid1

JoannaAnna said:

I know, if if if!

Sump plug was completely out and lost.
It went from low oil light coming on, to no oil light in the space of a minute or two.
 I didn't take a photo - probably should have, but it was dark and raining and car was partially in the carriageway, so not really practical.

I'm hoping that it's just the worse case scenario that there's long term damage, but from what my garage are telling me, there's not really any way to know, as the affected parts would be deep within the engine

2 minutes with no engine oil is a long time

daveyjp

Peoples estimate of time is hopeless so I wouldn't put much on that.  Distance estimate would be better, 2 minutes at 30 is a mile, which is a fair distance.  It reads that the op stopped asap, but they should know how far they drove.

BMW would know the correct procedure for oil changes, a new crush washer is generally advised and some manufacturers state new washer and sump plug at every change.

A sump washer tightened properly shouldn't come undone, but proving error months ago will be difficult.

Now the oil has been changed I'd run the car for a few hundred miles and if there are no disastrous events have some oil drained to look for metal swarf.