Roo2
10-06-2005, 03:09 PM
I bought a 3 year old BMW 320 diesel from Carland Chertsey on 31st March this year and was well and truly ripped off.
I was due to start a new job and wanted a reliable diesel car (and I made this clear to the salesman that my contract of employment stated that I needed a vehicle "fit for purpose"). I asked to see all paperwork connected with the car and didn't see any major problems.
Within a week of purchase, I noticed an oil leak and after speaking to Carland Customer Services, took the car to Nationwide, their approved garage who (after some incompetent blunders), diagnosed an oil leak from the intercooler and arranged to book the car in a week later to have the work done.
During that week, the car broke down leaving me stranded by the M4 and making me late for work (a good way to impress your new employers!). The car was towed off and the work was done - this meant replacing the intercooler and the turbo, which came around £1300. After much debate Carland picked up the bill since this happened within the 3 month warranty period.
On getting the car back, I went through it thoroughly and was somewhat perturbed to find a BMW checksheet tucked into the leather casing of the envelope containing the owners manual. The checksheet was dated Feb 2005 (obviously before Carland had the car) and listed comprehensive checks made on the car and faults corrected. However, one point that stuck out as being faulty and not repaired was "oil leak from intercooler". So Carland had sold me a faulty car.
After the repairs, I was meticulous to check the car on a regular basis (I may be a woman but I know where the dipstick is), and took it back to Nationwide to be checked over to make sure there were no further problems with oil etc.
But in mid August, some four and a half months after purchasing the car, the engine suddenly started to make abnormal sounds. I called the AA who said there was no oil in the engine (how is that possible, I had checked levels less that 10 days before and had done minimal mileage in those 10 days, plus no oil warning light came on).
To cut a long story short, the car was undriveable. Carland refused to pay for an engine diagnosis to be done. I employed a solicitor but still they won't budge. I have now paid for the initial diagnosis which concludes that I need a new engine. Carland refuse to acknowledge the Sales of Goods Act 1979 which I think they are in breach of, having sold me a faulty vehicle and one that is not fit for purpose.
So I paid £13,329 for a car in March.
Solicitors fees so far are nearly £400
A new engine will be around £2600
Fitting will be around £650
Plus VAT
Plus lots of stress and phone calls
And there may be further damage to the car....
I haven't had a car for 2 months now but am liable to keep up loan payments otherwise my credit rating will be affected.
So do yourself a favour - steer clear of Carland. You'll save thousands...........
I was due to start a new job and wanted a reliable diesel car (and I made this clear to the salesman that my contract of employment stated that I needed a vehicle "fit for purpose"). I asked to see all paperwork connected with the car and didn't see any major problems.
Within a week of purchase, I noticed an oil leak and after speaking to Carland Customer Services, took the car to Nationwide, their approved garage who (after some incompetent blunders), diagnosed an oil leak from the intercooler and arranged to book the car in a week later to have the work done.
During that week, the car broke down leaving me stranded by the M4 and making me late for work (a good way to impress your new employers!). The car was towed off and the work was done - this meant replacing the intercooler and the turbo, which came around £1300. After much debate Carland picked up the bill since this happened within the 3 month warranty period.
On getting the car back, I went through it thoroughly and was somewhat perturbed to find a BMW checksheet tucked into the leather casing of the envelope containing the owners manual. The checksheet was dated Feb 2005 (obviously before Carland had the car) and listed comprehensive checks made on the car and faults corrected. However, one point that stuck out as being faulty and not repaired was "oil leak from intercooler". So Carland had sold me a faulty car.
After the repairs, I was meticulous to check the car on a regular basis (I may be a woman but I know where the dipstick is), and took it back to Nationwide to be checked over to make sure there were no further problems with oil etc.
But in mid August, some four and a half months after purchasing the car, the engine suddenly started to make abnormal sounds. I called the AA who said there was no oil in the engine (how is that possible, I had checked levels less that 10 days before and had done minimal mileage in those 10 days, plus no oil warning light came on).
To cut a long story short, the car was undriveable. Carland refused to pay for an engine diagnosis to be done. I employed a solicitor but still they won't budge. I have now paid for the initial diagnosis which concludes that I need a new engine. Carland refuse to acknowledge the Sales of Goods Act 1979 which I think they are in breach of, having sold me a faulty vehicle and one that is not fit for purpose.
So I paid £13,329 for a car in March.
Solicitors fees so far are nearly £400
A new engine will be around £2600
Fitting will be around £650
Plus VAT
Plus lots of stress and phone calls
And there may be further damage to the car....
I haven't had a car for 2 months now but am liable to keep up loan payments otherwise my credit rating will be affected.
So do yourself a favour - steer clear of Carland. You'll save thousands...........