Kia engine woes… any solutions?
Discussion
Long story short .... My son-in-law has a mid-range 2019 diesel Kia Sportage. 60k on the clock and generally good condition. On the way home from a Devon holiday at the weekend, it seized on the M3. It turns out that despite owning it for 3+ years he hadn't got round to any routine servicing. Big learning here!
The supplying main dealer isn't interested as it still has £9k owing which they say puts it in negative equity. Of course any good will offerings are off the table... does anyone have any ideas how we can help him out? He's a hard working public servant who knows he's been daft, married to a nurse with 2 youngsters and precious few funds to repair/replace. As it is it's worth nothing.
Any links to any recommended solutions much appreciated.
The supplying main dealer isn't interested as it still has £9k owing which they say puts it in negative equity. Of course any good will offerings are off the table... does anyone have any ideas how we can help him out? He's a hard working public servant who knows he's been daft, married to a nurse with 2 youngsters and precious few funds to repair/replace. As it is it's worth nothing.
Any links to any recommended solutions much appreciated.
How many of those total has he covered in the 3 years?
Has there been no servicing not even oil change?
Agree it’s best to go replacement engine route as it’s likely the seized engine and oil fed ancillaries will be clogged with gunk and metal particles.
Has it been stepped yet to check for damage though, could be one bearing and lucky, could be total devastation.
Has there been no servicing not even oil change?
Agree it’s best to go replacement engine route as it’s likely the seized engine and oil fed ancillaries will be clogged with gunk and metal particles.
Has it been stepped yet to check for damage though, could be one bearing and lucky, could be total devastation.
Edited by LivLL on Wednesday 21st August 16:16
Another vote for an engine swap as the cheapest alternative. Whether he then decides to sell it immediately or hang on to it, please make sure you nag him incessantly to ensure that he doesn’t make the same mistake again. I can maybe understand leaving a service for 18 months, especially if it doesn’t get used all that often, but 3 years is really stretching it a bit. Like you said, a hard lesson learned.
+1 for the replacement secondhand engine.
The good thing is, since these engines are generally reliable there should be plenty available in good condition fairly cheaply. (Unlike say an Ingenium diesel where there are many more people looking for new engines than engines available).
Your son in law might consider an EV in the future, since they generally cannot be killed by neglect in the way that a petrol or diesel engine can.
If the car is otherwise good just get a small local garage to swap the engine, find what exact model it is, I’ve just searched on EBay with the scant info you’ve given and they seem to be available for £2kish. Just make sure they have some proof of it running I.e.a video, and the mileage before you agree to buy it.
LivLL said:
Has it been stepped yet to check for damage though, could be one bearing and lucky, could be total devastation.
Reckon you're on to something.If I'd run that dealership, I'd offer the customer something like:
1. For a reduced flat fee, the dealership will audit the vehicle, the engine in particular, to arrive at a clear assessment. The outcome is provided in writing and the customer may do whatever he likes, no obligation.
2. If the damage is blessedly light, the dealership can perform needed repairs and, cognisant of the family budget, offer to roll the cost of repair into the remaining monthly payments.
3. If the damage is catastrophic, make two subsequent offers:
. a) We can swap a used engine or
. b) We can relieve you of your car at a somewhat generous part ex value. In return you receive a steep discount on a fresh, used vehicle. The difference as well as your remaining payments on the original car are joined into a simple long-term payment plan.
Monkeylegend said:
Love that … he’s not allowed to beg! unsprung said:
LivLL said:
Has it been stepped yet to check for damage though, could be one bearing and lucky, could be total devastation.
Reckon you're on to something.If I'd run that dealership, I'd offer the customer something like:
1. For a reduced flat fee, the dealership will audit the vehicle, the engine in particular, to arrive at a clear assessment. The outcome is provided in writing and the customer may do whatever he likes, no obligation.
2. If the damage is blessedly light, the dealership can perform needed repairs and, cognisant of the family budget, offer to roll the cost of repair into the remaining monthly payments.
3. If the damage is catastrophic, make two subsequent offers:
. a) We can swap a used engine or
. b) We can relieve you of your car at a somewhat generous part ex value. In return you receive a steep discount on a fresh, used vehicle. The difference as well as your remaining payments on the original car are joined into a simple long-term payment plan.
I'd be amazed if a main dealer would even consider fitting a used engine given the huge potential for future issues / liability etc and I'm also fairly sure Kia won't supply an engine assembly, it dull comes as individual parts then the build up costs so I'd probably forget the dealer network.
I'd be inclined to either get quotes for it as it stands, the likes of Copart / Cash for Cars / Car Take Back or the like will sell buy it as a non runner. However they'd likely want to pay the finance provider directly assuming the outstanding debt is settled by your son either before or at the same time. Have a look at that options, do the maths etc
Used engine is an option but a bit of a minefield with regards to how good said engine is, where it is and whether there's a reputable garage will to take on the task - again something you'll need to research then again, do the maths.
Crappy situation and who knows, maybe it would have gone bang even with fill history... but the difference is with full history, more so dealer, he would stand more chances of a warranty contribution.
Had you approached the finance company and explored them dealing with it?
I'd be inclined to either get quotes for it as it stands, the likes of Copart / Cash for Cars / Car Take Back or the like will sell buy it as a non runner. However they'd likely want to pay the finance provider directly assuming the outstanding debt is settled by your son either before or at the same time. Have a look at that options, do the maths etc
Used engine is an option but a bit of a minefield with regards to how good said engine is, where it is and whether there's a reputable garage will to take on the task - again something you'll need to research then again, do the maths.
Crappy situation and who knows, maybe it would have gone bang even with fill history... but the difference is with full history, more so dealer, he would stand more chances of a warranty contribution.
Had you approached the finance company and explored them dealing with it?
Davie said:
Had you approached the finance company and explored them dealing with it?
Can’t see them helping. I’m sure that there’s a stipulation in their t&c’s that the car should be maintained in line with what the manufacturer says. They might even get a bit arsey as their asset is now worth peanuts.
unsprung said:
Reckon you're on to something.
If I'd run that dealership, I'd offer the customer something like:
1. For a reduced flat fee, the dealership will audit the vehicle, the engine in particular, to arrive at a clear assessment. The outcome is provided in writing and the customer may do whatever he likes, no obligation.
2. If the damage is blessedly light, the dealership can perform needed repairs and, cognisant of the family budget, offer to roll the cost of repair into the remaining monthly payments.
3. If the damage is catastrophic, make two subsequent offers:
. a) We can swap a used engine or
. b) We can relieve you of your car at a somewhat generous part ex value. In return you receive a steep discount on a fresh, used vehicle. The difference as well as your remaining payments on the original car are joined into a simple long-term payment plan.
Part of me is convinced you were joking.If I'd run that dealership, I'd offer the customer something like:
1. For a reduced flat fee, the dealership will audit the vehicle, the engine in particular, to arrive at a clear assessment. The outcome is provided in writing and the customer may do whatever he likes, no obligation.
2. If the damage is blessedly light, the dealership can perform needed repairs and, cognisant of the family budget, offer to roll the cost of repair into the remaining monthly payments.
3. If the damage is catastrophic, make two subsequent offers:
. a) We can swap a used engine or
. b) We can relieve you of your car at a somewhat generous part ex value. In return you receive a steep discount on a fresh, used vehicle. The difference as well as your remaining payments on the original car are joined into a simple long-term payment plan.
We own a family firm, we have sold and repaired vehicles for a very long time. We had 3 franchises at one point.
We are a bit soft really and try and help customers out as much as possible.
All I can say is that every option you have come up with would be a massive no for me i’m afraid. It’s not just the financial implication (ie losing money). There is a high degree of certitude that it wouldn’t work out well for the customer. No main agent in their right mind will fit a used engine. I very much doubt they would repair the existing donkey either after catastrophic failure.
Another shop called me today asking for advice after basically doing exactly what you suggested. He took pity on a rather financially embarrassed customer a few weeks ago. Customer supplied a second hand engine, new turbo, new timing belt kit etc. The engine was fitted complete with the new parts. He ran it for a week himself to make sure it was ok. A thousand miles later the engine has seized on the motorway. Despite all the risks being explained before hand (used and ‘unknown’ engine being fitted etc) the customer is now wanting to ‘go legal’ over it. The poor mechanic looked 10 years older compared to last week.
As for the ‘payment plan’, we’ve been tricked/forced/blackmailed into doing it before and you never get your money back I’m afraid. It would be purely based on trust and completely unregulated. The last one I recall being involved in was due to the customer having no money to pay for the new short engine we installed in his WRX. When I chased him for the first months money he messaged me back to say he’d gone on holiday.
Sure, the car game has a (often deserved) poor reputation, but there have been so many times we have ended up being essentially done over ourselves. Often whilst trying to do the right/decent thing by someone.
You don’t mind helping folk where you can, but this is clearly down to owner abuse.
What happened to taking responsibility for one’s own actions (or lack of them)?
Zedboy said:
He's a hard working public servant who knows he's been daft, married to a nurse with 2 youngsters and precious few funds to repair/replace.
Not sure what this has to do with anything? Working in the public sector doesn’t mean you deserve a break for not doing something glaringly obvious. The cars even tell you to service them for f
ks sake!It’s like those morons who can’t be bothered to insure their house for £15 quid a month but wheel out the go fund me and Facebook campaign when it burns down.
dhibbert said:
We own a family firm, we have sold and repaired vehicles for a very long time. We had 3 franchises at one point.
We are a bit soft really and try and help customers out as much as possible.
I can see that you and I are on the same page vis a vis treating people like... people.We are a bit soft really and try and help customers out as much as possible.
dhibbert said:
unsprung said:
Reckon you're on to something.
If I'd run that dealership, I'd offer the customer something like:
1. For a reduced flat fee, the dealership will audit the vehicle, the engine in particular, to arrive at a clear assessment. The outcome is provided in writing and the customer may do whatever he likes, no obligation.
2. If the damage is blessedly light, the dealership can perform needed repairs and, cognisant of the family budget, offer to roll the cost of repair into the remaining monthly payments.
3. If the damage is catastrophic, make two subsequent offers:
. a) We can swap a used engine or
. b) We can relieve you of your car at a somewhat generous part ex value. In return you receive a steep discount on a fresh, used vehicle. The difference as well as your remaining payments on the original car are joined into a simple long-term payment plan.
Part of me is convinced you were joking.If I'd run that dealership, I'd offer the customer something like:
1. For a reduced flat fee, the dealership will audit the vehicle, the engine in particular, to arrive at a clear assessment. The outcome is provided in writing and the customer may do whatever he likes, no obligation.
2. If the damage is blessedly light, the dealership can perform needed repairs and, cognisant of the family budget, offer to roll the cost of repair into the remaining monthly payments.
3. If the damage is catastrophic, make two subsequent offers:
. a) We can swap a used engine or
. b) We can relieve you of your car at a somewhat generous part ex value. In return you receive a steep discount on a fresh, used vehicle. The difference as well as your remaining payments on the original car are joined into a simple long-term payment plan.
I'm here all week, Ladies and Gentlemen 
Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff