Car bought from BIG MOTORING WORLD Sheffield incurs £8500 repair charges within 3 months.

alfaasil1989

I bought my car 26th August 2024 with big motoring world, an Audi Etron 2021, I also went with an additional 12 month extended warranty with Big Warranty Assist. Everything fine until 18th Nov when a red light came on the dash with an electrical fault to stop the car. I rang the warranty who said I needed to take it to a garage of my choice and inform them of the fault and cost and go from there. I had it taken to my nearest Audi garage who completed a full diagnostic and said that when the car was last serviced (2023) the coolant overflow wasn't drained as it should have been which has lead to it leaking into my front motor causing it to be completely knackered. There was also an amber light for the SOS system and this now needs a complete new unit. The total cost is £8,456.11 which has now been sent to the warranty and I am still awaiting an answer on whether they are covering the cost, they have now apparently sent it to Big Motoring World, I am assuming as they think they are at fault. 
Of course, I am panicked that they won't, I certainly do not have that money to cover a repair of that size, nor do I feel like I should? My worry is that as it is the fault of a person and not of the car they won't pay out. 
If they don't I am unsure where to take this? Is the onus on Audi, who serviced the car in 2023 where the neglect to empty to coolant took place? Or to Big Motoring World who did the "200 point inspection check" on 1st august 2024 and subsequently sold me this car? Any advice/help appreciated. 

DullGreyGuy

alfaasil1989 said:
I had it taken to my nearest Audi garage who completed a full diagnostic and said that when the car was last serviced (2023) the coolant overflow wasn't drained as it should have been which has lead to it leaking into my front motor causing it to be completely knackered. 

That sounds a very specific diagnosis... how have they ascertained that the coolant wasnt drained properly over a year ago?

Did they give a view as to how long it has been leaking for?

alfaasil1989

DullGreyGuy said:

alfaasil1989 said:
I had it taken to my nearest Audi garage who completed a full diagnostic and said that when the car was last serviced (2023) the coolant overflow wasn't drained as it should have been which has lead to it leaking into my front motor causing it to be completely knackered. 

That sounds a very specific diagnosis... how have they ascertained that the coolant wasnt drained properly over a year ago?

Did they give a view as to how long it has been leaking for?

They said that on the (now) electronic service history, the actions carried out are listed, which it does appear to be. And this action was not listed as being complete. 

No, I have asked this question but yet to receive an answer for it. I asked when they would expect the excess fluid to be present/noticeable. 

Arunmor

Has it been serviced to the manufacturers sime scale and specifications?  Should you have had it serviced since you bought it?  These could be crucial. 

Ectophile

If the fault occurs within 6 months, the dealer who sold you the car is responsible.  The warranty might pay out, but if not, then it's the dealer's problem.

What somebody did before you bought the car isn't your problem.  They are a motor trader, so it's their responsibility to ensure that the car is good before they sell it.

daveyjp

There's usually a reason why three year old vehicles such as this aren't sold through main dealers.  This may be one where the reason why is becoming apparent.

Okell

Ectophile said:

If the fault occurs within 6 months, the dealer who sold you the car is responsible.  The warranty might pay out, but if not, then it's the dealer's problem.

What somebody did before you bought the car isn't your problem.  They are a motor trader, so it's their responsibility to ensure that the car is good before they sell it.

This ^.

My understanding is that the selling dealer is entitled to have one attempt to repair the car.  The OP may have complicated matters somewhat by going to a different Audi dealership from the one he purchased from.

I'd suggest he needs to go back to the selling dealer armed with the diagnosis from the Audi dealership - which hopefully the OP should have in writing - and give the selling dealer the opportunity to put it right.  If they can't fix it - or it fails again - the OP is entitled to a refund, but the selling dealer is also entitled to deduct an amount to reflect the OP's use of the car.

[Edit:  the relevant law is in s19 and s24 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015]

Or the OP can leave it to the warranty company...

DullGreyGuy

Ectophile said:

If the fault occurs within 6 months, the dealer who sold you the car is responsible.  The warranty might pay out, but if not, then it's the dealer's problem.

What somebody did before you bought the car isn't your problem.  They are a motor trader, so it's their responsibility to ensure that the car is good before they sell it.

Its assumed its the dealers problem in the first 6 months, unless they can prove its the customers responsibility or its fair wear. IE if there had been a warning light and instruction not to drive but the OP had continued to use the vehicle anyway the additional damage caused wouldn't be the dealers responsibility.