Cinch - Car issue - Advice needed

Katifer_5

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on what options I have.

I bought a car from Cinch in June 2025 using Starline Motor Finance.

The car was due its MOT in April 2026, after around 10 months of ownership and approximately 5,000 miles. It failed with several dangerous defects, including significant brake corrosion. The garage that carried out the MOT told me it was highly unlikely that this level of corrosion had developed during the time I’d owned the car. The repairs cost me around £700 (excluding tyres, which I accept are normal wear and tear).

I then discovered that the previous MOT in 2024, which passed with no advisories, had been carried out by BCA in Grimsby. As far as I’m aware, BCA is part of the same group as Cinch, which immediately raised concerns for me.

I submitted a formal complaint to Cinch, hoping for at least an acknowledgment, explanation or goodwill gesture. After two weeks, I received a very brief response essentially saying it wasn’t their responsibility.

Since making the complaint, the car has also developed further faults, including the speedometer stopping working and a leaking washer fluid pipe.

I’ve since found a Facebook group with hundreds of people reporting similar experiences with Cinch, including others whose previous MOTs were carried out by BCA

I know people will say I should have had an independent inspection before accepting the car, and in hindsight I completely agree. Unfortunately, I can’t change that now, so I’m really looking for advice on what I can do next rather than what I should have done.

I’m considering selling the car through Motorway or Carwow because I’ve completely lost confidence in it, but both have only offered around half of what I still owe on the finance.

I’ve already reported BCA Grimsby to the DVSA, and I know several other people have done the same.

My questions are:

• Is it worth continuing to pursue Cinch?
• Should I escalate the complaint to the Motor Ombudsman, Trading Standards or another organisation?
• Are there any other routes I should be considering, particularly given the MOT history and the dangerous defects found less than a year later?

Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Alderbank

You bought the car in June 2025. The last MOT was dated 2024. You say the next MOT was due in April 2026.

Your arithmetic was wrong.

You say 'The garage that carried out the MOT told me it was highly unlikely that this level of corrosion had developed during the time I’d owned the car.'

Means nothing. You had owned the car for 10 months. The MOT of at least 17 months before made no comment about corrosion but that doesn't mean there was no corrosion, just that back then it was not significant enough for the MOT tester to report it. If you had had the car tested in 2025, as required by law, it might have showed up as an advisory.

As far as I know, all major dealerships carry out their own MOTs. Taking your car back every year to the dealer you bought it from for its annual service and MOT is quite common (although it may not be the best value). It's not illegal, not even suspicious.

Jumblebumble

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82060237#Comment_82060237

I have a slightly different interpretation of the Arithmatic

MOTs were done in April 2024 and April 2025

The OP is simply commenting on the April 2024 MOT

Jumblebumble

Can you elaborate on what serious brake corrosion actually means.

ie which part of the braking system was dangerous.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82060985#Comment_82060985

I then discovered that the previous MOT in 2024, which passed with no advisories,

That can read as the last MOT that was done.

 The MOT in April 25 would be more relevant than the MOT in 2024.

Katifer_5

hi all,

thanks for your really unhelpful responses so far, and yes I meant the MOT carried out in 2025 came back with no advisories. 10 months later severe defects.

Katifer_5

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82061135#Comment_82061135

apologies, that is what I meant, it was the MOT carried out by BCA (part of Cinch) 10 months prior that came back with no advisories

Katifer_5

(Removed by Forum Team)

Cheers. Should it be leaking washer fluid pipe? Apologies amongst such a long and stressed post I did not get my mechanical terminology correct 

Katifer_5

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82060237#Comment_82060237

apologies - I meant it was the MOT carried out in 2025 by Cinch that had no advisories, then 10 months later mine came back with several dangerous defects

PTP123

You mentioned a leaking washer pipe. After a year this has no relevance and it's just one of those very minor things you get with used vehicles

SacredStephan

Do you have any photos of the corroded parts? I assume they were binned after replacement.