Used BMW Problems
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm a newb in here so go easy please ?
I bought a BMW just over a week ago. When I was on the way back from the garage which was quite some distance away, I got a warning light on the dash. There was a malfunction with the DSC.
Anyway, took it to a local garage to have it checked over and the repairs were quoted at over a grand to replace the faulty part. The dealer has said he's not going to pay that much under his warranty.
I get the feeling this isn't going to be the only problem, as I've looked through the documents and there is a mileage discrepancy in the service log book against the MOTs.
All I want to do now is get a refund and get shot of it! Anyone had any problems / experiences / anecdotes which might make sure that the dealer pays up? I realise I've got the law on my side, but used car dealers, eh??!!
Cheers (and apologies to all reputable dealers who use this site)
I'm a newb in here so go easy please ?
I bought a BMW just over a week ago. When I was on the way back from the garage which was quite some distance away, I got a warning light on the dash. There was a malfunction with the DSC.
Anyway, took it to a local garage to have it checked over and the repairs were quoted at over a grand to replace the faulty part. The dealer has said he's not going to pay that much under his warranty.
I get the feeling this isn't going to be the only problem, as I've looked through the documents and there is a mileage discrepancy in the service log book against the MOTs.
All I want to do now is get a refund and get shot of it! Anyone had any problems / experiences / anecdotes which might make sure that the dealer pays up? I realise I've got the law on my side, but used car dealers, eh??!!
Cheers (and apologies to all reputable dealers who use this site)
DSC system failure... there is a cheaper repair possible, a repair kit is about £140 with an updated pressure sensor that isn't made of chocolate like the originals.
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f85/failed-dsc...
That's most likely the repair kit needed, if not there should be something similar.
http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f85/failed-dsc...
That's most likely the repair kit needed, if not there should be something similar.
You can get a history of the car's MOT's (at least since they have been computerised) it might help if you think there is a mileage issue? I assume you've already done a history check on it? Always worth phoning BMW too, in case it's got a black mark against it on their system.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
http://www.cartextcheck.co.uk/ (as a minimum...AA one is much better)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
http://www.cartextcheck.co.uk/ (as a minimum...AA one is much better)
Send the dealer a 'sales of goods act' letter asking for a full refund. Google and ring the government advice line and there'll email you a draft letter. I brought a Volvo dec 09 and within a month the gearbox started whirring, got a garage to check and gearbox was about to go. So I sent letter to dealer and we agreed £100 less than I paid (had it 6 weeks and done 2k) and cash paid back.
I'm afraid you'll be very lucky to just back it and get a refund.
With regard to the fault, the car has to be fit for purpose. Whether a faulty DSC makes it unfit for purpose is subjective, but if you have a warranty that should be covered anyway?
Anyhow, you can't reject it straight off for that - you have to give the dealer opportunity to fix it.
With regard to the mileage discrepancy, I'll have to bow to someone else's superior knowledge as to whether that makes the car rejectable.
I would speak to Trading Standards for definitive advice - a lot on here interpret the Sale of Goods Act in different ways....
With regard to the fault, the car has to be fit for purpose. Whether a faulty DSC makes it unfit for purpose is subjective, but if you have a warranty that should be covered anyway?
Anyhow, you can't reject it straight off for that - you have to give the dealer opportunity to fix it.
With regard to the mileage discrepancy, I'll have to bow to someone else's superior knowledge as to whether that makes the car rejectable.
I would speak to Trading Standards for definitive advice - a lot on here interpret the Sale of Goods Act in different ways....
Thanks for all the replies on this.
The dealer is offering a repair at a garage local to him, presumably because they will do the work cheaper. I suspect this will not necessarily be better, especially as the quote to repair was so high by my local mechanic.
The car is a 2004 316ti. With reference to the service log, there was supposedly a service at 55k in 09, and one at 68k in 2010. However, the car is now at 69k and the service indicator light is showing 27k overdue a service, despite the last service supposedly having been done at a BMW specialist (who forgets to reset the service indicator!!) who doesn't actually seem to exist on the internet or in the yellow pages. There are no contact details on the stamp either.
I don't want to share too many details on the dealer or the car until I get this resolved, but I'll keep on updating this thread so hopefully somebody else can learn from my bad experience!
The dealer is offering a repair at a garage local to him, presumably because they will do the work cheaper. I suspect this will not necessarily be better, especially as the quote to repair was so high by my local mechanic.
The car is a 2004 316ti. With reference to the service log, there was supposedly a service at 55k in 09, and one at 68k in 2010. However, the car is now at 69k and the service indicator light is showing 27k overdue a service, despite the last service supposedly having been done at a BMW specialist (who forgets to reset the service indicator!!) who doesn't actually seem to exist on the internet or in the yellow pages. There are no contact details on the stamp either.
I don't want to share too many details on the dealer or the car until I get this resolved, but I'll keep on updating this thread so hopefully somebody else can learn from my bad experience!
mr squidge said:
Thanks for all the replies on this.
The dealer is offering a repair at a garage local to him, presumably because they will do the work cheaper. I suspect this will not necessarily be better, especially as the quote to repair was so high by my local mechanic.
The car is a 2004 316ti. With reference to the service log, there was supposedly a service at 55k in 09, and one at 68k in 2010. However, the car is now at 69k and the service indicator light is showing 27k overdue a service, despite the last service supposedly having been done at a BMW specialist (who forgets to reset the service indicator!!) who doesn't actually seem to exist on the internet or in the yellow pages. There are no contact details on the stamp either.
I don't want to share too many details on the dealer or the car until I get this resolved, but I'll keep on updating this thread so hopefully somebody else can learn from my bad experience!
You bought a car without verifying the mileage or checking the service history? I'd hazard a guess that either the car hasn't been serviced at all since at least 55k/09, or it has been and 30k-odd miles taken off the odometer. Sounds like a lemon regardless....The dealer is offering a repair at a garage local to him, presumably because they will do the work cheaper. I suspect this will not necessarily be better, especially as the quote to repair was so high by my local mechanic.
The car is a 2004 316ti. With reference to the service log, there was supposedly a service at 55k in 09, and one at 68k in 2010. However, the car is now at 69k and the service indicator light is showing 27k overdue a service, despite the last service supposedly having been done at a BMW specialist (who forgets to reset the service indicator!!) who doesn't actually seem to exist on the internet or in the yellow pages. There are no contact details on the stamp either.
I don't want to share too many details on the dealer or the car until I get this resolved, but I'll keep on updating this thread so hopefully somebody else can learn from my bad experience!
u13rr1 said:
mr squidge said:
Thanks for all the replies on this.
The dealer is offering a repair at a garage local to him, presumably because they will do the work cheaper. I suspect this will not necessarily be better, especially as the quote to repair was so high by my local mechanic.
The car is a 2004 316ti. With reference to the service log, there was supposedly a service at 55k in 09, and one at 68k in 2010. However, the car is now at 69k and the service indicator light is showing 27k overdue a service, despite the last service supposedly having been done at a BMW specialist (who forgets to reset the service indicator!!) who doesn't actually seem to exist on the internet or in the yellow pages. There are no contact details on the stamp either.
I don't want to share too many details on the dealer or the car until I get this resolved, but I'll keep on updating this thread so hopefully somebody else can learn from my bad experience!
You bought a car without verifying the mileage or checking the service history? I'd hazard a guess that either the car hasn't been serviced at all since at least 55k/09, or it has been and 30k-odd miles taken off the odometer. Sounds like a lemon regardless....The dealer is offering a repair at a garage local to him, presumably because they will do the work cheaper. I suspect this will not necessarily be better, especially as the quote to repair was so high by my local mechanic.
The car is a 2004 316ti. With reference to the service log, there was supposedly a service at 55k in 09, and one at 68k in 2010. However, the car is now at 69k and the service indicator light is showing 27k overdue a service, despite the last service supposedly having been done at a BMW specialist (who forgets to reset the service indicator!!) who doesn't actually seem to exist on the internet or in the yellow pages. There are no contact details on the stamp either.
I don't want to share too many details on the dealer or the car until I get this resolved, but I'll keep on updating this thread so hopefully somebody else can learn from my bad experience!
I think some people are being a little over dramatic here. It may or may not have had a service and it is possible the last owner put a stamp in the book (lots do) before px'ing it and maybe or maybe not got a quick oil change. Either way it doesn't mean it is about to explode - just get an oil and filter change done to be safe.
How the seller fixes the DSC issue is entirely up to them - as long as it works afterwards is all that really matters.
I suspect an additional HPI check would have told the OP absolutely nothing extra.
How the seller fixes the DSC issue is entirely up to them - as long as it works afterwards is all that really matters.
I suspect an additional HPI check would have told the OP absolutely nothing extra.
Agreed it's probably not going to explode, however I think the problem remains that the car was sold as having been serviced at a BMW specialist (a major factor in the pruchase) and there is no way of verifying this with what is showing on the dash. Too many things just don't add up.
mr squidge said:
Agreed it's probably not going to explode, however I think the problem remains that the car was sold as having been serviced at a BMW specialist (a major factor in the pruchase) and there is no way of verifying this with what is showing on the dash. Too many things just don't add up.
To be honest, unless you know them "BMW Specialist" means nothing. Anyone can call themselves a BMW specialist and know no more about BMW's than they do a Ford. There are some excellent specialists out there but they vary.A service on one of these is only really an oil change anyway and a one missed service is neither here not there value wise on a 04 car so I wouldn't panic.
You'd be amazed at how many can't be a*sed to reset a service indicator as well (which, again, means nothing as anyone can reset them regardless of whether a service was done).
So let me get this straight. You bought a car with a stamped service history and an indie stamp in the book suggesting a recent service. However, after purchase you have done some further research and have found:
a) mileage discrepancies with the SH and old MOTs
b) The service indicator suggests the car has not been serviced recently
c) the spcialist indie that the stamp refers to doesn't exist
Is that an accurate summary..??
a) mileage discrepancies with the SH and old MOTs
b) The service indicator suggests the car has not been serviced recently
c) the spcialist indie that the stamp refers to doesn't exist
Is that an accurate summary..??
A fair point, but this now means that I will have to pay for a service (which could be costly if the DSC repairs are anything to go by) to get the inspection clock back to zero and I will have the same mileage discrepancy (date of service / mileage / MOT) should I choose to sell the car in the future.
I was sold the car on the basis that the services were up to date, but I've completely lost faith in this. I've had the car for 10 days now and I don't think a refund would be an unreasonable request. Car dealers have such a bad reputation because they think consumer law doesn't apply to them and this seems to be the case here.
I was sold the car on the basis that the services were up to date, but I've completely lost faith in this. I've had the car for 10 days now and I don't think a refund would be an unreasonable request. Car dealers have such a bad reputation because they think consumer law doesn't apply to them and this seems to be the case here.
mr squidge said:
A fair point, but this now means that I will have to pay for a service (which could be costly if the DSC repairs are anything to go by) to get the inspection clock back to zero and I will have the same mileage discrepancy (date of service / mileage / MOT) should I choose to sell the car in the future.
I was sold the car on the basis that the services were up to date, but I've completely lost faith in this. I've had the car for 10 days now and I don't think a refund would be an unreasonable request. Car dealers have such a bad reputation because they think consumer law doesn't apply to them and this seems to be the case here.
Did he tell you the mileage was right, or did you not bother to look?I was sold the car on the basis that the services were up to date, but I've completely lost faith in this. I've had the car for 10 days now and I don't think a refund would be an unreasonable request. Car dealers have such a bad reputation because they think consumer law doesn't apply to them and this seems to be the case here.
This is important.
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