Bought a used car which I haven't driven!

Azban

4 weeks ago I bought a used car from a dealer with a 3 month warranty. I drove the car home and noticed a few issues, particularly a large amount of white smoke on acceleration. The car was meant to be serviced before I picked it up but it was not done properly and book was not even stamped. Anyway I took it back to the dealer as soon as I could and they have supplied me with a loan car until I get mine back.

My problem is they have now had it for 3 weeks and I am wondering if I should just request a refund or should I give them more time if they are actually fixing the problem?

bazz26

Have you asked them what the status is with it or what is the delay?

Gravelly

If they haven't managed to fix it after 3 weeks, I would doubt they will (or want to), and it's obviously not something minor. I'd be asking for a refund.

Azban

As far as I'm aware the issue was something to do with the breather or maybe a valve. They said they have it so long because it's a big job they have to do. I also gave a list of a few things like a chip in the windshield and brake discs worn down so this may be some of the reason.

firstlight

Look for your money back
Id say it was a lemon they sold you

3 weeks to fix a valve and change a few pads or discs,3 days in a busy shop at most

Azban

firstlight wrote: »

Look for your money back
Id say it was a lemon they sold you

3 weeks to fix a valve and change a few pads or discs,3 days in a busy shop at most

Thanks for the reply, I'm going to see what they say. It's an awful shame because the car was in great shape otherwise. Leather seats and immaculate inside.

firstlight

Azban wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, I'm going to see what they say. It's an awful shame because the car was in great shape otherwise. Leather seats and immaculate inside.

Yes ring them,Find out whats going on
Just for future reference,if when buying from a dealer or private seller bring somebody mechanically minded with you
Even if it costs you a 100 euro for a few hours
Peace of mind and somebody with knowledge is a real help

Hope it goes well
What car was it by the way? year and engine?

punisher5112

I would suggest getting a mechanic to give it a going over when you get it back.

They have an opportunity to fix.

Call them and keep pressure on.

Be understanding but don't let them fob you off.

What's the car and year, engine etc.

Azban

Just heard back from the garage, they said it has had a full engine rebuild and will be ready by the weekend. I'm receiving a full report so I might see how it drives when I collect it.

firstlight

Azban wrote: »

Just heard back from the garage, they said it has had a full engine rebuild and will be ready by the weekend. I'm receiving a full report so I might see how it drives when I collect it.

What car/year and engine? what price did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

Azban

firstlight wrote: »

What car/year and engine? what price did you pay if you dont mind me asking?

Its a BMW 320i (2 litre) 2006 and I paid €3800 for it.The dealer said the 3 month warranty will start from when I collect the car this second time. I've documented all correspondence with the dealer over email and have made sure I mentioned anything stated by him.

Azban

Thanks everyone for the replies, its good to get a few opinions.

firstlight

Azban wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies, its good to get a few opinions.

No problem
Seems like a lot of cash for a car thats 12 year old
If they say they done a full engine rebuild and you only payed that amount of money i cant see were they are making a profit on this car because i cant imagine a full engine rebuild for a BMW is cheap

Either way if i was you go to another garage or mechanic when you get the car and get it checked over,say nothing about the engine been rebuilt and see what they say

Best of luck with it anyway

Nuw

If they did indeed rebuild the engine while giving a loaner car and offer warranty from day of collection, I'd say it's fair play to them.

MojoMaker

Of course they didn't though.

punisher5112

I would say if they did and it's a big if, they probably still made money as car was most likely standing them near nothing.

Nobody wants a 2litre petrol high tax car.

firstlight

punisher5112 wrote: »

I would say if they did and it's a big if, they probably still made money as car was most likely standing them near nothing.

Nobody wants a 2litre petrol high tax car.

I was thinking a big (((IF))) myself

Gravelly

By "engine rebuild" I'm guessing they mean they did whatever it took to cover up the problem long enough for the warranty to run out. There's no way the margin on a car of that price would cover a rebuild (especially on a beemer), any garage in that situation would give you your money back and sell the car at auction.

B-D-P--

OP.
I'd ask for receipts of materials for the rebuild.

Gravelly

B-D-P-- wrote: »

OP.
I'd ask for receipts of materials for the rebuild.

Not sure what that would prove though - I could get you receipts for the materials for a rebuild with one phone call - doesn't mean I either bought the parts, or, more importantly, fitted them.

firstlight

B-D-P-- wrote: »

OP.
I'd ask for receipts of materials for the rebuild.

I remember i asked a small dealer one time for a reciept on a timing belt they said they had done
He showed my the tip ex mark on the engine

Needless to say i didnt buy that car

biko

O ye of little faith

Alanstrainor

There's no way they rebuilt the engine. That's just crazy talk, madness for them to say.

Spewing white smoke could be a number of things but I would put money on it being the CCV/oil breather valve. It's a common enough fault, and at least in 6 cylinder cars it's a painful job.

ED E

firstlight wrote: »

I was thinking a big (((IF))) myself

No need to get anti-Semitic now.

firstlight

ED E wrote: »

No need to get anti-Semitic now.

Lets just say i would not believe a word they say
From my own personal experience

bazz26

I wouldn't put much faith in the value of a 3 month warranty from a dealer on a 12 year old car, it's not worth the paper it's written on as there is little profit in offering warranties on cars of that age or value. I'd also be very skeptical of them rebuilding or replacing the engine. They probably put some fix in place that will last a bit until the warranty expires and they tell it's not their problem.

If you can get your money back then that's the best result but I'd say you would have a huge battle on your hands with that. It's a terrible situation to be in and I wish you luck OP.

ArnieSilvia

Rebuild on that car is 2k. Oil separator would manifest itself with rough running, not with smoke and it's 3 hrs job max. These bmws also suffer from whining diffs, check for it before committing

kilburn

OP had a similar situation recently myself bought a 10 year old car from a main dealer with a 3 mth warranty car was back with them 3 times in a month.

Was told the head gasket was gone and had been replaced over 1k spent on repairs.

Got the car back after 24 hrs it literally went bang on the motorway, car was towed back to the garage and i got a refund.

3 weeks later the car was for sale on donedeal privately with the headline head gasket gone hence price.

pearcider

3800 is crazy money even for a non lemon. Selling lemons to mugs is how stealers operate. You're far far far better off buying privately for sub 10k cars. Not only is it cheaper the cars tend to be in much better nick.

colm_mcm

If there is any possibility of a refund, take it.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

I'm interested in this thread to see if the dealer turns out to be genuine.

Are we allowed the dealer name as so far they sound decent if true ?

It may be a slightly older car and you may not have spent a massive amount of money at the dealer for a dealer but they did do a deal with you and made a promise so if they are decent they should keep said promise.

OP please keep us updated on this