Hi, Took my RR SC (2005, but 2006A model) for a first good drive down to Gloucester last Friday. Twice in traffic the car did a rough shift down to 1st and then stayed stuck in 1. Message centre showing 'Gearbox fault' if I remember correctly. Turned car off and on again to clear and continued my journey. At the start of a short journey the same evening the car failed to raise to normal height and I got suspension failure messages. I booked the car into Hunters in Guildford who said that I need a new gearbox and a new suspension compressor. Now, I'm aware that these are common failure points but I wasn't expecting both on the same day!!
I have only had the car 6 weeks (80K miles) and it has an insurance warranty on it so I had Hunters call the warranty co. Cutting a long story short, the warranty company want the gearbox reconditioned - not replaced and Hunters won't do that it seems.
I am looking for somewhere (probably a gearbox specialist) to diagnose and repair - expecting the repair to be in the form of a re-con box. I am in Woking. Where should I go with this? I read that the torque converter should be replaced also. Anything else I should have done? Are there any upgrades that might help prevent a repetition?
Once that is sorted I will need to move to the suspension issue but as they are separate claims that can be done separately. Is there a basis diagnostic guide for suspension issues?
Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Eugene will say get the gearbox cooler replaced also.

This is horrible news for a new owner my friend - really bad luck.

Did you buy the car from a dealer ? - If so, I'd be studying the Sale Of Goods Act if I were you.

There is a presumption in this legislation regarding pre existing faults -

 Where do you go after one of these . . . ?

I just had my gearbox replaced at main dealer. They come as a sealed for life unit and when replaced torque converter the lot is included. Why are they saying it needs to be reconditioned ? Apart from money? What is the cover you have ?

TugRR wrote:

This is horrible news for a new owner my friend - really bad luck.

Did you buy the car from a dealer ? - If so, I'd be studying the Sale Of Goods Act if I were you.

There is a presumption in this legislation regarding pre existing faults -

By the way the bill at the dealers done at warranty rates was £3658 inc VAT with the warranty limit of 3000 + vat

Thanks chaps. Reconditioning is being requested by the warranty as a cost saving measure. Several people have told me about the sale of goods thing - I think the onus is on the dealer to correct this fully at his cost at least. I understand that this is why they supply the car with a warranty - to protect themselves. In this case the limit is £2000 per issue so for a gearbox that could well be a bit low. What I want to avoid is a massive falling out with the dealer. I will be satisfied if the car is repaired properly with guarantees for the work undertaken. In some ways I wish it didn't have a warranty so that I could be in charge of the repairs!

Is your reference to Hunters to mean Hunters the LR "main dealer" who sold the car to you?

If so:
6 weeks into ownership and such a major problem being in need of repair, you are in a strong position to have the repair undertaken without scrimping on cost and the "main dealer" cannot hide behind the warranty company regarding this. Between the dealer and the warranty company they should take steps to make good on the defect without need for you to be inconvenienced attempting to do all of the co-ordinating reference how and by whom the repairs will be undertaken.

Sale of Goods Act 1979:
Sections 14 and 48 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 apply here. The act relates to the fact the consumer has a right to expect quality, fitness for all the purposes supplied, freedom from minor defects and a reasonable expectation for repairs to have been undertaken within a reasonable time without causing significant inconvenience. If these things are not the case with your purchase you can assert non conformity to the contract of sale within the period of six months from the date of purchase.

Buying from a motor trader (or dealer) extends you greater rights -
'Wear and tear':
A seller is not responsible for fair wear and tear, so you cannot claim goods are unsatisfactory just because they've become a bit worn over time. For goods to be unsatisfactory they need to be faulty when you bought them, even if you didn't discover the fault until later. If the goods don't last as long as they should, this suggests that they were faulty from the beginning.

** If a defect is detected within 6 months, it is presumed that the defect existed at the time of sale or delivery, unless the seller can prove otherwise. **

Whilst better to do so, *** you do not have to examine items before buying them. This means that if you haven't spotted something wrong before buying an item, you can still claim it is not of satisfactory quality. This applies even if you would have spotted the defect if you had examined it closely ***. However, if you don't complain quickly, you may have to accept a repair, replacement or partial refund, rather than a full refund.

More information on the S of G.A can be found on this link:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/


Who have you spoken with at the dealership because if not done to date, you should escalate your concerns to the After Sales/ Service Manager and copy the Dealer Principal into a written (emailed) outline of your concerns (you don't have to fall out with anyone to articulate your concerns and your expectations)?

Hi, No, 'dealer' in this case is not Hunters. I took it to them in the first place because I don't have anyone else that I trust fully or have had recommended. The supplying dealer and the warranty company both agreed that it was a suitable place to take the car. However, it seems that their repair strategy is incompatible with the warranty company - I can see both points of view there. I'd love for LR to put in a new gearbox at the expense of the warranty company - but it ain't gonna happen. At the moment it looks as though I will have to locate a gearbox specialist to remove the 'box, comply with the warranty co's requirements and effect a repair - probably a recon box. The risk is that I end up out of pocket, so I really need the supplying dealer to agree to reimburse me before the work starts. Of course, I incur costs just to get a diagnosis and I'm committed to seeing the job through.
For the record, my experience with Hunters was more than satisfactory although it was not much of a test.

hand it back to the dealer that sold you it for a full refund or full and proper repair under the SOGA

do not accept running about with warranty issues etc

It is the dealers problem NOT yours

@SO3ismie,

You sound like you're being more than reasonable. However, this also sounds like a major issue with the car. It is the seller's responsibility to grip it so why does it appear to you that you will have to locate a gearbox specialist and do all of the running around, presumably which might save the seller/ warranty company a few pounds?

+1 for dingg1's advice - hand it back and move on (or be prepared to go through a load of hassle) 2007 Zermatt Silver TDV8 Vogue SE - now sold but was a great car!

sorry about gearbox mine went in june 2006 td with 81000 miles . had to get replacement gearbox & transferbox & gearbox oil cooler all replaced £4500 with 3year guar. car going great now ( mackies in Glasgow good place to deal with quick turn round )

i bought my 2007 sc in March this year. Car is currently in its 4th week at the dealer to sort out a number of issues - at their cost, including replacing driver seat heater element, 3 new tyres (Pirelli Scorpions), tappet cover gaskets, suspension bushes rear, etc. I haven't seen cost as yet, but the tyres alone cost about R15k (GBP780). Still more issues to resolve, e.g. possibly rear brake calipers, gearbox, etc

In addition they gave me a brand new Freelander to use since I left my car with them.

If I were you I would take the car back to selling dealer, let them book it in with a reputable LR dealer/workshop and get them to give you a loaner until you get your car back.

In my case I made sure that I put everything in writing so that there can be no disputes afterwards

Gearbox AND suspension fault on the same day ..... Am I the only one here thinking BATTERY?