after a long search I finally located the FF which ticked all the boxes on sale at Berkshire Landover. A trip from Bristol to give it a once over and the deal was done, as a sweetener a trackstar tracker was thrown into the deal for good measure and I left Berkshire very happy with 1 week to go before I could return to collect my new purchase. During the week of waiting for the vehicle prep which I was told would be a comprehensive check there was a small problem delaying my collection date and that Berkshire Landover would deliver the vehicle 2 days later to Bristol, very nice I thought, a good service.

When the FF was delivered I spotted the driver having a quick look under the bonnet but thought nothing of it, I took him back to the train station and off I went for a few miles to check out the new car, after a few miles I immediately noticed smoke coming from the passenger side wheel arch which at first I though may have been something to do with an Aux heater. I spoke to Berkshire Landover about the smoke and they said they would check if the vehicle had one, they never replied.

The next day the smoke appeared again so popped the bonnet and could see oil leaking from the rocker cover dripping down below and burning hence the smoke, I contacted BLR and they suggested I take it to a local garage to check the problem and go from there, my local garage found that the rocker cover bolts were a mismatch and didn’t appear to have the correct washers and seals and didn’t appear to be LR parts, a gasket also needed replacing. After relaying the problem and the cost to BLR they said the price quoted for the new bolts were ridiculous and they could have got them for much cheaper. At this point warranty was discussed as the car came with 3 months and to be fair to BLR they said if I bring it back to them they would do it for free but that’s a bit difficult when you car is in a local garage in bits. They use a warranty company called A1 and apparently you can claim up to £250 per claim so I thought ok I'll go down this route.

They next day even more smoke was visible from the engine with now oil leaking from various areas, I checked the dip stick to receive a face full of oil, no joke it shot out from the tube and I got a covering. My local garage looked at it and decided it needed attention from a LR specialist, BLR suggested I take it back to Berkshire for them to fix, not really sure how considering the oil problem and the LR specialist suggested that driving it anywhere was a very bad idea. After a lengthy process of checking over the car at the specialist they found that part of the old oil filer base was never removed during a filter change and had disintegrated causing all sorts of blockages hence the Crankcase high pressure. Pipes were unblocked, old filter housing was properly removed, new filter replaced, complete oil flush and replacement and also turns out the sump bung thread was damaged adding to cost. To cut my already long story a bit shorter it cost me £1200 to fix.

In my eyes this is something BLR should have picked up during there so called comprehensive check, after many ignored emails and calls all I can get from them is that I should pursue a claim through their warranty company A1 - At best I'll get a few hundred back but as I never received any warranty details in my purchase pack they were never informed from the beginning of the problem so I think its going to be a long struggle. Oh yes and the trackstar they fitted has never worked, I just get an obligatory call every day from trackstar telling me my car may have been stolen!

As for BLR, well there response is - We sourced the car in confidence that it was a good example and any problems you have are unfortunately your responsibility.

In my opinion their mechanics with 40 years experience should have picked this up before it left the door. I would never use them again, I would never recommend them - a shame really as they seemed like good chaps at the beginning.

As for BLR, well there response is - We sourced the car in confidence that it was a good example and any problems you have are unfortunately your responsibility.

Utter B*lls!

Get a solicitors letter tell them you want a full refund plus the costs for the repair plus time and aggravation. They have a duty under the sale of goods act to ensure the car is "fit for purpose" Yours obviously ain't!!

There is lots of good advice on here about returning bad cars.

don't put up with this . If they fight it (and lose) they will have all your solicitor bills to pay on top!

Warnster,

There are a couple of threads here and on Disco4.com helping explain what consumer law rights are in this case. In no way trying to provide any legal advice or opinion on my part, IIRC from other reading, the suggestion is that for a dealer, any defects that arise in the first 6 months are the responsibility of the dealer selling, unless they can show you bought the car knowing the defects were there. A simple tick sheet showing they did their "comprehensive checks" is not enough proof either for them to rely on. Go to moneysavingexpert.com and check their forums, lots of helpful advice there.

A strong letter (sent with recorded post) copied to their sales manager and dealer principal, with a clear message you will get trading standards involved and asking for formal complaint procedures normally does the trick to get these guys moving. Also, if the car was just delivered, hopefully you may be able to ask for repair costs or a full refund...

I had the same on a car I bought last year, initially the salesman tried to shrug it off and use all sorts of excuses to say it was on me to keep the car as is or not. Once that letter went out, things changed drastically in my favour although I was so tired at that point I didn't bother chasing compensation but just my money back. MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

Thanks for the advice, I will check through related threads and also get something drafted in a more official manner as it seems telephone coversations are a waste of time. I will definitely persue this until I get my money back, I will also keep this topic updated with fingers crossed a good ending.

Terrible experience. I doubt you're wanting to hear the 'good side' as this is very annoying, but I'm really impressed with the consumer right you have in the UK. Here, unless you were sold a car that turned out to be stolen, you're SOL.

Good luck with it. You look set with the 6 month 'fit for purpose' and I'd think the dealership would want to make it right before too many people found out how they could have missed all that.

Don't waste time and energy with phone calls. Put everything in writing and write a good letter stating the facts.

If they ignore the letter instruct your lawyer.

. 2009 Vogue TDV8 Nara Bronze
2002 Vogue V8 Zambezi Silver
1986 90 Pick up Deep Bronze Green
1978 Series III SWB Deep Bronze Green

Keep notes/diary of who, what when etc - will help should it drag on. Also depending on how you financed it you may find that the finance company is jointly liable with the dealer, and they may be more amenable to sorting it out! Two things to googl are sale of goods act and consumer credit act - both give you some protection in these events

Can't disagree with any of the above, all good advice. If you can get something in writing from the garages who have done the repair work as evidence of the condition the vehicle was in.

I had a few faults with my FF when I bought it . I ended up using a lawyer. If you have legal protection on your home insurance you can claim against that as this is a Sale of Goods Act/ Sale & Supply of Goods Act issue. It can take months for these things to get sorted, especially if you go for a refund. NB if you do want to hand back the vehicle for a refund, you will need to park it up and stop using it. 56 TDV8 Vogue SE
9 Freelanders, 2x 2002 TD4ES, 2001 TD4, 2002 1.8GS, 2000 XEDI, 2x 2000 1.8ES, 2004 1.8 & 2000 1.8 GS (rolled)
91 Lotus Carlton (sold)
90 Lotus Elan (BRG)

What surprised me is that a major specialist like BLR are selling Range Rovers with a warranty with a max claim of £250! Our warranty Wise policies have a max claim of the total value of the car with individual claims of up to £5000. They cost a bit but what's the point of a warranty otherwise.

It would have been best to have got the car transported back to them immediately the problem was identified and asked them to cover the cost of transport.

Is this the same company that has a £129,000 defender for sale

I would say, get advice either from a consumer or motoring organisation, free of charge (CAB, AA, Which etc). Send them a letter detailing your complaint, and your proposed resolution (i.e. they pay for the repairs, given they refused to accept their responsibility when given the opportunity. You can point out that it was not reasonable in the circumstances for them to ask you to return the vehicle, since it had already broken down, and had been partially dissembled.

When they refuse the pay, in full, you simply lodge a small claims case online, it's very simply, and not very expensive, and if they have any sense whatsoever they'll settle before it goes to court, if not, simply explain to the judge what happened. You have nothing to lose, they can't claim costs, but there again, neither than you, so I wouldn't suggest seeing a solicitor, unless just for a free initial consultation, in which case he'll probably see pretty much what I've said above!  Range Rover-less at the moment - Pining!

The Supply of Goods (implied terms) Act 1973 and Section 14 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 requires dealers to supply goods of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose

Used motor vehicles - consumer rights





When you buy a used motor vehicle from a trader, you enter into a legally binding contract and you are entitled to expect that it is of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. An older vehicle with high mileage may not be as good as a newer vehicle with low mileage, but it should still be fit for use on the road and in a condition that reflects its age and price.

Traders cannot take away consumers' rights by using terms such as 'sold as seen' or 'no refunds'. If you buy a used vehicle from a trader online, you may have additional rights under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000. You do not have the same legal rights if you buy a vehicle from a private seller or an auction.

If the used vehicle is faulty, you have a short time after buying it to reject it. You may have other remedies such as repair or replacement. If the vehicle is faulty then you need to write to trader you bought it from. You should confirm the details of your complaint and the remedy you are seeking and keep copies of all correspondence. As a last resort, you may need to consider taking court action. Remember, used vehicles may have some faults, but they should not be excessive. Fair wear and tear is not considered to be a fault.


the dealer is responsible for this, did the dealer do a advert for the car, if so if it said good condition etc you can use this in your argument, also google the reversed burden of proof


ive not long gone through this, as advised send letters by recorded delivery and don't agree anything on the phone as its hearsay

good luck

Your name
First line of address
Second line of address
Third line of address
Fourth line of address
Contact telephone number
Owner/Manager’s name
First line of company address
Second line of company address
Third line of company address
Fourth line of company address

Today’s date

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: Faulty goods and the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended)

On [date of purchase] I bought a [description of purchase] from you for [insert price] which has stopped working.

The problem is [enter description of fault].

The Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) states that when a consumer buys goods from a trader they must be: as described; of a satisfactory quality; and fit for any purpose made known at the time of sale to the seller.

This legislation also states that the seller, not the manufacturer, is legally obliged to sort out a problem if the goods do not meet these requirements.

The Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) says: if goods break within the first six months after purchase then there is a presumption the goods were faulty when sold.

My goods are not [delete as appropriate - as described/fit for purpose/of satisfactory quality] and I wish to claim a [delete as appropriate - repair/replacement/refund] of my goods under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 as amended.

Please respond to my complaint within 7 days from receipt of this letter.

Yours faithfully,
[your name]

and a template letter you can use

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theoneshow/cons...downl.html

Wow, thanks for all your replies! I will get on the case and let you know how this ends, just to rub salt in the wound it now seems like I have a deflated suspension air bag......the saga continues.

This is interesting. I can't add anything other than sympathy to your woes, but I was toying with booking my RR in for a service with BLS as they're pretty near to where I work. Well, I was. Not any more. I'll accept a far longer drive and will go back to Guava.

My own experience of BLR stemmed from when I went to test-drive a 4.4 V8 FF last year. It was advertised as 'immaculate' with a LR recon engine. No warranty as 'we've spent enough on it already', various paint defects and no rear parcel shelf. So clearly not immaculate then. But it was priced as immaculate.

So no warranty, average condition, high mileage and a new recon engine for top money. No thanks!

I bought elsewhere.

And, yes, they do have a £130,000 Defender 130 for sale. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.