Parents car engine failed

[Dancook]

Hi all,

My parents just rang to tell me about their misfortune with the car, it appears to be an engine failure which has left their car for scrap.

It is 18th months since they purchased the car from a dealer, but the car is only just over 4 years old.

Is there anything they can do?

I know about the sales of goods act, but as it's second hand I'm not sure where the responsibility lies.

edit. Mum mentioned they haven't even finished paying for it yet, so does this make a difference? does it belong to someone else? which means they don't have to pay the rest? i don't know.

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by Dancook

Hi all,

My parents just rang to tell me about their misfortune with the car, it appears to be an engine failure which has left their car for scrap.

It is 18th months since they purchased the car from a dealer, but the car is only just over 4 years old.

Is there anything they can do?

I know about the sales of goods act, but as it's second hand I'm not sure where the responsibility lies.

edit. Mum mentioned they haven't even finished paying for it yet, so does this make a difference? does it belong to someone else? which means they don't have to pay the rest? i don't know.

Take it to a garage and get a new engine, if it is economical to do so?

The car is owned by whoever lent them the money until your parents have paid it off in full, so if they don't pay it the bank or company will take them to court.

Try phoning the citizen's advice bureau if you are really unsure what to do. I can't see how the SoGA applies in this situation mate.

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Miyazaki

Take it to a garage and get a new engine, if it is economical to do so?

The car is owned by whoever lent them the money until your parents have paid it off in full, so if they don't pay it the bank or company will take them to court.

Try phoning the citizen's advice bureau if you are really unsure what to do. I can't see how the SoGA applies in this situation mate.

Thanks,

I don't believe it is economical to replace the engine from what they've told me, they're currently looking at buying another car.

I did suggest they phone CAB to see if there was anything they could do.

When I was working at a computer company, I heard something about customers telling the finance company they would not pay because the computer did not work. I do not know if they were legally allowed to do that, or what the reprecussions would be, but I assume from what you said there is no such option to do this?

[Decadence]

what kind of car is it?

[Azzin]

The only way for any recourse for your parents (if there is any) would be to get an independant mechanical engineer's assessment of it.

That way, you would have proof if (for example) it was a result of poor servicing etc.

Your parents would need to pay for that and then take whoever to court to recover all their costs and get the repairs done free of charge (if it turned out to be someone's responsibility).

HTH.

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Decadence

what kind of car is it?

Renault Espace

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ce_black_r.jpg

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Dancook

Renault Espace

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ce_black_r.jpg

Does it have a full (Renault) service history?

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Azzin

The only way for any recourse for your parents (if there is any) would be to get an independant mechanical engineer's assessment of it.

That way, you would have proof if (for example) it was a result of poor servicing etc.

Your parents would need to pay for that and then take whoever to court to recover all their costs and get the repairs done free of charge (if it turned out to be someone's responsibility).

HTH.

Thanks, I know the engine gets a lot of wear and tear, but I suppose he might find an inherant fault with the engine which could be the responsbility of Renault.

As you see it's a Renault Espace people carrier, I would assume no one has abused the engine in this car.

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Does it have a full (Renault) service history?

I would need to find out, what are the options if yes / no ? thanks

[Decadence]

Ouch, yes that won't be cheap to fix. A new engine from Renault will be a couple of grand at least I reckon, plus the man hours to replace the old one! shame the engine bay didn't catch fire when it broke (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). You could always try to source a second hand one and get an independent to fit it. What exactly has failed with the engine anyway? Did it overheat or something?

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Dancook

I would need to find out, what are the options if yes / no ? thanks

Well....

If it has a full Renault service history, then you might have a good case to take up with Renault (depending on the current mileage).

You could have a case of premature engine failure that should not be expected on a fully serviced engine.

[fencer90]

It wasnt anything to do with Water was it .......The engines have an air intake on the side of the engine bay close to the ground..... ingress of water is a known problem ..

[Decadence]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Well....

If it has a full Renault service history, then you might have a good case to take up with Renault (depending on the current mileage).

You could have a case of premature engine failure that should not be expected on a fully serviced engine.

It depends how it failed though, if the coolant levels were not kept topped up and it overheated it wouldn't be the garage's fault for example.

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by Decadence

It depends how it failed though, if the coolant levels were not kept topped up and it overheated it wouldn't be the garage's fault for example.

Agreed and understood, which is why I suggested an independant engineer's inspection and that the OP's parents might then have a case.

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Decadence

Ouch, yes that won't be cheap to fix. A new engine from Renault will be a couple of grand at least I reckon, plus the man hours to replace the old one! shame the engine bay didn't catch fire when it broke (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). You could always try to source a second hand one and get an independent to fit it. What exactly has failed with the engine anyway? Did it overheat or something?

I don't know, I only spoke to my mum she had a STOP symbol light up, so she pulled over. Spoke to Dad who suggested she get it home if she can, engine started ok so she drove it home. it gave up the ghost when nearing home.