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New engine that the dealer can't sort!!!!


Cabrio Gaz
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I have a A4 2.0tdi Sport Cabrio on a 07 plate with 30k on the clock. In Feb it went into the dealer to get a new clutch which ended in a new engine being fitted all under warranty. Since then the warranty has ran out and it has been back into the garage no less than 5 times to sort the engine out as it sounds rougher than a badgers arse, the last I had to pay £300 quid for a new cam shaft and tappets the rest was a gesture of goodwill...ha bloody ha!

So it's back in again a I don't think I should be paying any more as they don't seem to have a clue!

Do I have any rights since having a new engine fitted just 3 months ago and now the car is out of warranty...I feel as if I'm being taken for a ride...excuse the pun....can anyone help as I'm really losing the will to live with this bloddy car....please help!!!:ffs:

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Unfortunately shark, it doesn't work like that any more, most manufacturers have a clause in the warranty that stipulates any new parts fitted under warranty will be covered for 1 year, or until the original warranty expires, whichever is sooner.

However, in this case, less than 3 months after fitting the new engine, they really should be sorting it under warranty, as it must have been faulty when fitted.

I'd want a full refund for what you've had to pay out so far, the car fixed and a huge apology, if not I'd be parking the car through the showroom window.

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It sounds like a nightmare situation. If they play the 'It's out of warranty card' then I'd play the 'See you in court card.'

Irrespective of warranty, they have to abide by various laws regarding the supply of goods and services, e.g. suitability for purpose, merchantability, etc and how can a (warranty) replacement engine requiring such additional work at your cost be reasonable? :eek:

If a customer justifiably believes that you haven't used 'reasonable' care and skill, you must put the work right at no extra cost. Failing this, they can ask another supplier to put the work right and then claim the cost from you.

Furthermore, the issues arose, were reported and work commenced within their warranty period. If what they did hasn't actually put the car back into the state it should be in, i.e. working, then it shouldn't matter that it's gone past their warranty period.

But I wouldn't be focussing on the warranty. I'd be reminding them of what their legal obligations are.

Good luck.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Totally agree with Sponge.....

Quote sale of goods act at them, namely the part about "fit for purpose". In court, they will have trouble proving that the engine, and/or the quality of their work fitting it, was fit for purpose. It's all about how long something can reasonably be expected to last and a NEW engine should definitely be lasting longer than 3 months! The fact that it is STILL not functioning correctly, even after they have had it back to fix it, points to their incompetence.

A small claims court case often resolves issues before it gets to court, in my experience. Don't be afraid, it's really easy to start a claim - but do get advice before you do and be very careful in what you say in your letter to the dealer. State facts and be clear about what you want.

Some info:

Types of claims in the small claims track

The most common types of claim in the small claims track are:

  • compensation for faulty services provided, for example, by builders, dry cleaners, garages and so on
  • compensation for faulty goods, for example, televisions or washing machines which go wrong

If you have a complex case you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, a Citizens Advice Bureau.

Before applying to the court

You must try and settle a claim before taking court action. If you do not try to settle first, the court may penalise you. So, for example, if a television does not work, there is no point in applying to the court immediately for compensation - you must contact the shop which sold it first to try to solve the problem, and only use the court if you cannot get the problem solved by negotiation. The court will expect you to make your claim in writing, giving the other person a reasonable time to reply – a month is usual. You should also warn them that you will take court action if they fail to reply within the given time.

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Thanks for all your advice. Glad to say that after an hour of heated discussions they agreed to fix the car and repay back the £300 they charged me for the last repair. This is all as a "gesture of goodwill"!! After being quoted that numerous times have become rather sick of the term!

The car is back and is sounding and running like it should....I just wish they could have sorted it out quicker and with far less stress to me! So now I'm very happy once again to driving roof down...bring on summer!:)

post-32175-137914449187_thumb.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

It was Poole Audi who were doing all the work to it. But I took it to an independant Audi specialist to get a second opinion. He knew there was something wrong with the engine as soon as I started it.

All working fine now....thank God!.....otherwise I think I would ave finally snapped!

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  • 3 weeks later...
The independant dealer just looked at the car they did not touch anything, as they thought it was best that I just went back to Poole Audi to sort the rough engine out!

So what did Poole Audi do that they hadn't thought to do before?

Just trying to close this thread with some information that might help other owners in future rather than just "it's fixed".

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When Poole Audi first replaced the engine they had either forgotten or it had fallen the plug which helps prevent pressure in the engine. This led to the excessive wearing on the cam shaft.

When I got the car back they replaced the cam shaft but had not replaced the pressure plug, the car sounded as if it was running on 3 cylinders so back it went to Audi where they then realised that this plug was missing and they then replaced it.

The car is now running great, and hopefully I don't have any more problems in the future.

Hopefully that clarifies things

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