Bmw approved used purchase advice

[Ab1991]

Bought a BMW M440i (70 plate) at the start of April 25 through the BMW Approved Used scheme. Loved the car initially, but almost straight away I noticed a rattling noise coming from the seatbelt area.

I contacted the selling dealer and they advised me to get it looked at by a local BMW dealer. Took it in for investigation, and the local dealer found that the interior B-pillars had previously been removed. All the clips were broken and the panels hadn t been properly refitted which is what s causing the rattling.

They said the only way to fix it properly would cost upwards of £800

I went back to the purchasing dealer but they re refusing to help. They re claiming it s general cosmetic wear and tear and they wont cover it.

To me, broken clips and poor trim refitting isn t wear and tear it s either undisclosed previous work or poor prep before sale. Either way, it s not something I caused, and I feel like I m being left to pay for an issue that clearly existed before I bought the car.

I bought under AUC for peace of mind, and now I m dealing with this just weeks after taking delivery. Wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences and whether BMW UK can do anything to help?

I also want to point out. That while the car was in with the investigating dealer (local) i noticed damage to the rear passenger trim, what appears to be tool marks which was not present before i dropped it off. I notified them straight after collecting the car by email. They are disputing this claiming the damage was already present which i know was not the case. The interior panel is around £700.

Any advice would be appreciated, feel extreemly let down by 2 Bmw dealerships

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

Speak to BMW UK & get their view on it, email them the report from your local dealer.

As for the damage I think you'll have to take it on the chin unless you can prove beyond doubt the damage wasn't there.

Take it as a lesson learned & when sending your car in for work video/photographs are key.

[Rough101]

I d buy the clips and fix it yourself to be honest, these schemes are crap and as you have experienced, so are the agents.

You can probably resolve the tool marks to a great extent with a hairdryer.

[Ab1991]

Thank you for your response.

This has certainly been a lesson learned. I mistakenly assumed I could have confidence that my car would be properly looked after, especially by a main dealer. I will be raising both issues directly with BMW UK.

If it was only the clips that needed replacing, I would have expected the dealership to quote for that specifically, rather than for full panel replacements. Perhaps that's something I should have clarified at the time.

If the panels do need replacing, I understand the cost would be around £800. Could you advise where I stand in terms of my consumer rights? BMW Doncaster has stated this isn't covered under consumer legislation, but I’m not entirely sure that is accurate.

[paul_c123]

I don't think you'll be covered under CRA2015 for trim panels on a 70 plate car, even if they have been broken rather than simply age-related wear. So your best bet is to be polite and pursue a goodwill payment from the dealer or BMW themselves.

Do the trim panels really cost £800 though?

[Andy665]

£800 to supply new trim clips and refit is crazy, unless the trim panels themselves are damaged - the trim clips are usually the sacrificial items and a big bucket of them can usually be bought for a few £

[66HFM]

Can you not pick the panel up from a BMW specialist breaker and then get the dealer to fit along with the clips?

[OverSteery]

If you can't get BMW to sort it, then you can probably "fix" the panel with glue, foam etc. From your description it sound like the broken bits are not visible, so it should look OK.


Not ideal I know, but clips are penny (ok a few pounds) off Ebay and £800

DIY or a friendly local garage?

[Ab1991]

I need to clarify what needs changing. If its the clips that only need replacing as opposed to the trim, then i can do that at a low cost

Bmw have quoted the main item being the rear passenger trim that the investigating garage have damaged. I am thinking they have done that purely due to the damage they have caused and not relation to the original issue, which i need to clarify.

If i could upload a photo that would be good so i can illustrate the damage but i dont have that option.

Thanks

[edthefed]

Doncaster BMW owned by a well known dealer group.

Not surprised they are being unhelpful.

Same place told me 18 months ago the rear discs and pads were dangerously low and i really should not drive home but let them replace...

18 months
2 x MoT
1 x service elsewhere
12000 miles later

No advisories / comments from anyone else that anything amiss with discs and pads