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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take this further with car company even though I'm out of warranty period?

72 replies

ICantThinkOfANameSorry · 18/02/2019 13:58

I have a 3 year old car. It is a very well known and supposedly good make.

So far it has only done 18,000 miles and I have never had an accident or any form of bump in it.

Last week, my airbag light came on and my horn stopped working. I now know from the local garage that a part has gone in the steering wheel and my airbag is likely to not inflate in an accident because of it. He also told me he would not expect to see this in a car this age as it's quite a major fault.

My car is one month outside it's warranty. I called them and explained the situation and what the garage had said. They were beyond unhelpful and just said its outside of warranty they will not do anything, they didn't ask anything further or offer any form of explanation as to how this could happen.

I know it's outside warranty technically and car dealers are notorious for being arseholes but AIBU to take this complaint further? Its a practically new car which has hardly done any miles that is now potentially dangerous to drive / life threatening if I were to have an accident and whilst it isn't a Lamborghini, it wasn't 'cheap' either.

I'm not usually one to complain but I think this is so wrong (and bloody annoying!).

OP posts:
Sirzy · 18/02/2019 14:01

Unfortunately faults can occur. That’s the downside of car ownership.

If your warrnety has expired then I don’t think you can expect them to cover it

PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 18/02/2019 14:05

But is isnt 'practically new' it is three years old, you've tried appealing to their better nature, but in reality it is outside of its warranty, and it is your responsibility.

To whom would you complain?

Original poster
ICantThinkOfANameSorry · 18/02/2019 14:08

The car company to make them aware that a 3 year old car has developed major dangerous fault after 18,000 miles, one that could potentially cause serious injury to a drive and one that should not happen at 3 years of age.

OP posts:
badlydrawnperson · 18/02/2019 14:13

It's only a dangerous fault if you carry on driving in that state - and then only if you crash hard enough for an airbag to deploy. You need to get it repaired ASAP.

What make of car is this (my money is on a "premium" "reliable" German manufacturer)?

Tomtontom · 18/02/2019 14:18

The warranty does not override your statutory rights. If you can demonstrate that the fault is inherent, and that the part has not lasted a reasonable length of time, then you have the right to a remedy. Your rights are against the seller, not the manufacturer.

To establish the above you would need a report from someone appropriately qualified, for instance an independent mechanic.

Mmmmbrekkie · 18/02/2019 14:18

Oh op a 3 year old is not “practically new”

Mmmmbrekkie · 18/02/2019 14:19

And that was a very reasonable warranty period

SileneOliveira · 18/02/2019 14:20

Its a practically new car which has hardly done any miles

It's a three year old car which has done 18,000 miles.

Faults happen. Yes it's frustrating that it's just outside warranty but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

bungaloid · 18/02/2019 14:21

If it is under 6 years old you can argue with the supplying dealer under consumer protection laws. Note your contract was with them, going to the actual manufacturer will generally get you nowhere. It will massively strengthen your case if you have had it serviced as per the manufacturer recommendations, ideally at the dealer you purchased from.

Mmmmbrekkie · 18/02/2019 14:21

It’s not a “major dangerous fault” because not all cars have air bags. So following logic,I’m driving around in a car that has a “major dangerous fault” and has done so since day 1!

MansAlwaysCold · 18/02/2019 14:24

Mmmmbrekkie, OPs car is supposed to have a safety feature (airbag) for that safety feature to then fail is quite a serious fault. The fact your car has never had an airbag is irrelevant really.

Lifecraft · 18/02/2019 14:25

I have a 3 year old car.
So far it has only done 18,000 miles

followed in the same post by:

Its a practically new car which has hardly done any miles

Confused
AguerosAngel · 18/02/2019 14:37

It is annoying OP but your car isn’t practically new.

You’re just going to have to suck it up I’m afraid.

Tomtontom · 18/02/2019 14:38

You’re just going to have to suck it up I’m afraid.

Thankfully the law disagrees with you.

Are people always this ambivalent, or are they just unaware of their rights?

Jamiefraserskilt · 18/02/2019 14:42

Check the manufacturers website and Google the fault. It may be a recall item. If not, down to you to pay sadly.

badlydrawnperson · 18/02/2019 14:43

BMW? Mercedes? VW?

badlydrawnperson · 18/02/2019 14:44

@Tomtontom - a nice theory, hard to enforce in practice, speaking from experience.

Lazypuppy · 18/02/2019 14:45

3 year old car that has done 18000 miles is not practically new!

It is used, and a lot that age will already be on forecourts as 2nd hand cars.

GottenGottenGotten · 18/02/2019 14:47

I used to work in a garage.

Go to the dealer, or a garage that has the contract for that kind of car.

They have a bit more flexibility with what they can ask of the company, and if it is a known fault they may be able to do it with no problem. If it isn't known, they can send in details to the car company who can make a decision - they might, for example, pay for the part but not the time, or they might decide to pay for all of it.

CallipygianFancier · 18/02/2019 14:48

Sounds like the clockspring has gone (unit in the steering wheel that lets the wheel turn while keeping electrical components connected - it's made of a loose spiral of cabling that looks like a clock's spring inside).

They can be a bit delicate, but I wouldn't expect one to fail that early if it's not been messed with - was the car subject to an airbag recall or other work on the steering column at some point in the past?

I agree they should at least make a goodwill payment on it, but if you really can't get anywhere with them, and that is what's failed, it's not a hideously expensive part or the worst job to change one in most cars.

Ellisandra · 18/02/2019 14:54

What is the point in not just naming the make and model?
As well as consumer protection advice, you’re turn more likely to get advice from those who know about that car - similar faults and the outcome, guidance on repair cost...

badlydrawnperson · 18/02/2019 15:06

What is the point in not just naming the make and model?
Because it will allow the rest of us to point out that the car is expensive in order to pay for marketing and blingy design and dealers, not quality :)

hoge · 18/02/2019 15:17

Get some legal help. I think they would be doing more. The mileage of not the expected mileage of a clock spring failure.

hoge · 18/02/2019 15:17

I think they SHOULD be doing more Blush

hoge · 18/02/2019 15:18

The mileage IS not

Sorry. Seem to have a typing block today Blush