Car breaks down on drive home from dealer after purchase.

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My brother bought a BMW X6 100k miles with full service history for around £20k inc an X5 in PX from a car supermarket type place, he test drove the vehicle a week before, they kept it for week to prepare it etc. and he collected it the following week.
When he was driving it home it cut out and the AA were called, the AA man didn't know what was wrong with it so he flatbedded it home, apparently it was hammering down at the time and the AA man may not have looked too much at it.
It's subsequently transpires that the timing chain has gone so there could well be a lot of damage, not sure that's the sort of thing that should happen though if it's genuinely 100k(?)
I'm just interested really as to what his options could be regarding repair costs or refunds should the dealer get a bit shirty about it? :)
 
I have the feeling this will fall under SOGA, essentially the car was not fit for purpose.

:edit: Just read it again - the fact that it's a predictable issue (you would expect a timing belt to go at around that point) makes it less clear, the fact that the timing belt/chain was due replacing should've been factored in to the purchase price.
 
He is well covered, bar the unlikely event of the dealer going bump. Personally I would reject the car on the basis of such a fundamental breakage so quickly into my ownership. It tends to be 'just one of those things' that can happen, but there is usually a cause, such as someone not doing a proper job at some point, probably not the seller to be fair. I'd approach them say frankly this car is not for me but feel fee to find me a replacement.
 
The timing chain usually never needs replacing unless it shows signs of wear, however a belt is a different matter and should have been done prior to reaching 100k.

If they kept the car for a week to prep it and check it over, and then it breaks down they should fit the bill definitely.
 
wow, that sucks. Cannot believe the price too, seriously how can an X6 be worth 20k with that amount of miles?!?

Glad it happened on the way home vs a month down the line. They do not have a leg to stand on as it's clear cut.
 
If you managed to get a refund I would take that rather than a repair, since the belt has snapped a lot of other stuff could have gone wrong as well.

Just replacing the belt is a costly fix, and who knows what other engine components are damaged, I would worry on the basis its a pricey fix and they may consider taking shortcuts seeing they would be paying
 
It was @£20k inc an X5 not sure what year it is as I haven't actually seen it yet :p
I was hoping a refund might be possible, he's quite an easy going bloke so I don't want him to get shafted:)
 
The chain on a BMW is absolutely not a service item - get a full refund, I wouldn't want it back with the same engine in it.

£20k car there is absolutely no excuse, needs refunded or fixed by a (BMW) dealer
 
What everyone else said reject the car as not fit for purpose, i quote from the which? website here:

Second hand car from a dealer

When you buy a second hand car from a dealer, you have the right, under the Sale of Goods Act, to expect the car to:

be of satisfactory quality (taking into account its age and mileage)
meet any description given to you when you were buying it ( whether in the advert or in discussions prior to sale)
be fit for the purpose (for example, to get you from A to B safely).

If the second hand car does not meet these requirements, you have a right to claim against the dealer for breach of contract.

If something you buy is not 'as described', or if the seller is guilty of misrepresentation, you are entitled to:

give the second hand car back and get your money back, or
if you want to keep the car, ask for compensation (usually the cost of any repairs it needs)

But, if you buy a second hand car that was not described as being in excellent condition or good working order, and it breaks soon after you buy it, you don't have any right to reject it, or to claim compensation.
 
Never thought of buying a car from a dealer before, Never know what flags are on the police systems from a car used by a dealer, Ex dealer bmw x6 your bound to get stopped all the time. If the dealer isn't willing to cooperate id be tempted to leave it i mean if they are dealing for a living chances are they know some shady people that would do you in if you insulted them, then again i suppose you could always threaten to call the police on their drug operation if they don't play ball. Not sure tho man stay safe OP.
 
Never thought of buying a car from a dealer before, Never know what flags are on the police systems from a car used by a dealer, Ex dealer bmw x6 your bound to get stopped all the time. If the dealer isn't willing to cooperate id be tempted to leave it i mean if they are dealing for a living chances are they know some shady people that would do you in if you insulted them, then again i suppose you could always threaten to call the police on their drug operation if they don't play ball. Not sure tho man stay safe OP.

best post in motors ever . maybes
 
Never thought of buying a car from a dealer before, Never know what flags are on the police systems from a car used by a dealer, Ex dealer bmw x6 your bound to get stopped all the time. If the dealer isn't willing to cooperate id be tempted to leave it i mean if they are dealing for a living chances are they know some shady people that would do you in if you insulted them, then again i suppose you could always threaten to call the police on their drug operation if they don't play ball. Not sure tho man stay safe OP.

Awesome.
 
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