Car on PCP requiring major repair

WesMcD

Hello,

Had my car for two years of a PCP agreement and it’s developed a gearbox leak which has caused other issues with electrics, potentially requiring major work and replacement of gearbox. Currently completely undriveable. It’s now back with the dealer waiting to be inspected (12th July been told), my question is where I stand with cost of repairs. Will the finance company help with this? It was bought used from Jaguar Land Rover…

[Deleted User]

No warranty? JLR aren't known for reliability...

See what the dealer says, and if JLR are willing to contribute.

k3lvc

How old when bought 'used' ?
Full LR Service History ?
Any previous gearbox issues within warranty ?

You've no entitlement for it to be fixed at anyone else's cost - hence why maintaining warranty cover for the length of the PCP is generally sensible. Without that you can ask JLR to help but they're not known for their willingness outside of warranty. I would take their estimate of 12th July to 'look at it' as an indication of their likelihood to be helping you out. Out of interest have they given you an alternative car in the meantime ?

ontheroad1970

I would suggest that the finance company will not help out at all - JLR are not the finance company - JLR Financial Services are brokers.  How much or if JLR will help is down to how it has been serviced, and who with, and what the cause of the fault is.

iwb100

The fact your car is on pcp is not relevant. When signing your deal you agreed to be responsible for all maintenance, servicing and repair costs. 

The only question is whether it is under warranty or not. If not you are reliant on JLR good will.

Youve had the car two years so you can’t really expect them to pick up the tab - not like it was faulty out the gate.

You’ve picked an incredibly unreliable make so should have budgeted for some pretty hefty repair costs. If not then you’ve bought the worst possible brand. 

What I would be doing is speaking to the dealer about compensation for the time the vehicle can’t be used. It seems pretty unreasonable that they are sitting on it till 12th July. Why that is the case isn’t clear to me. I think they should absolutely be arranging prompt inspection and quote for the work. 

Herzlos

It being on PCP means that the finance company owns it so may be able to exert some more pressure on the dealer to fix it, but that'll depend on the warranty, age and how long you've had it.

iwb100

Herzlos said:

It being on PCP means that the finance company owns it so may be able to exert some more pressure on the dealer to fix it, but that'll depend on the warranty, age and how long you've had it.

In practice for a second hand car that isn’t happening. You have to sign a contract stating you are responsible for the costs of keeping car in working order.

The finance company want to recover their lending whether via you paying them or receiving the car back at the value in the deal.

They aren’t responsible for the fact it’s developed a fault and the OP is responsible for it and for the outstanding debt on said vehicle. 

Grey_Critic

IF you have to pay then perhaps a second opinion from a LRJ specialist/ Friend of mine had suspension problems and the JLR specialist was a lot, lot cheaper than main dealer.