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Arnold Clark - PCP (returning vehicle?)

Arnold Clark are notorious for extremely bad aftersales, not nicknamed Lying Snark for nothing. They'll bend over backwards for a sale, but as soon as there's a problem you're in for an unpleasant time.

When we had an issue I went to the local branch in person as I knew they'd try and deflect etc. They really don't give a crap.
Did you sort it?
 
Arnold clark safety inspection is comical.
My father bought a pick up that had broken rear suspension and instead of fixing it as it was crabbing severely they took the steering wheel off and put it back on so it was going straight. There were countless other issues but that was the funniest.
Peter vardy are as bad from my experience.

My only advice is after speaking to a garage go straight to the finance company and take it up with them.
 
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Did you sort it?

Eventually.

Long story short, the engine undertray came off while I was taking the car to them to be checked as I noticed it drooping on one side.

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They wanted to just put the old one back on!

I said that was clearly unacceptable. Not only do I want the undertray replaced as it's damaged, but I require all undertray fixings replaced for new as that is the root cause of the failure. Bodging the old one back on with the broken fixings would mean it would happen again; are they willing to put my partner and son at risk?

Eventually they saw it my way and agreed to replace the undertray and fixings. It staggers me to know that they'll try to do the bare minimum.
 
Update:

They refused to take the car back when the brakes were still squeaking, even though it went in for this to be sorted previously and came back in a worse state. Also, this fault was identified within the first two days of us collecting the car. They said they would have to check if the brakes were still squeaking and if so, and it needs fixing, it would be classed as a failed repair, and they would take the vehicle back.

The vehicle went in today and they have said, and I quote "the squeaking brakes is just wear and tear and isn't something they would replace". The squeaking is caused by the car having non-brand specific pads on the car and as a result, is causing the squeaking. Therefore the car is not eligible for a return/refund; however, as a gesture of goodwill, they would replace them with the parts. They have said they will order the correct pads and have them fitted...? Or if we wanted to swap the vehicle for like for like then we could, but this would be done as a trade in and not a replacement.

What do we do from here?
 
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I bought my car on AMEX, so have raised a chargeback through them for the value of the brakes alongside raising an official BMW complaint. Let's see if that helps at all.
 
The vehicle went in today and they have said, and I quote "the squeaking brakes is just wear and tear and isn't something they would replace". The squeaking is caused by the car having non-brand specific pads on the car and as a result, is causing the squeaking. Therefore the car is not eligible for a return/refund; however, as a gesture of goodwill, they would replace them with the parts. They have said they will order the correct pads and have them fitted...? Or if we wanted to swap the vehicle for like for like then we could, but this would be done as a trade in and not a replacement.

What do we do from here?
I'd probably assert that if their brake pad change does not fix the issue (that you had told them about immediately, but had continued using the car) you will categorise that as a failed repair and contact your PCP company for a vehicle return, perhaps put that in writing when you authorize them to do the repair.

contacting the finance company to make them aware of the situation would add weight to that demand when you speak with garage.

how do the pads and discs actually look ? is anything scored/marked unusually. (perhaps post a picture, ask a friend ) eg are they saying change pads when it should be discs too ?


...the other issues are fixed then ? and nothing else in the interim ?
 
This should be a fairly simple one under consumer law.

You bought a faulty vehicle.
You gave them a chance to fix it.
They failed.
You have every right to reject it.


If dealer is doing standard dealer crap and ignoring the law go to the finance company, ultimately its their car.
 
What issue are you having on your M550i?

All 4 discs need changing according to my trusted local BMW dealer, and Arnold Clark just said "no they don't the inspection said it was fine your local dealer is just jealous". Stopped responding to me, even with video inspection showing corrosion and lipping being sent to them.
 
All 4 discs need changing according to my trusted local BMW dealer, and Arnold Clark just said "no they don't the inspection said it was fine your local dealer is just jealous". Stopped responding to me, even with video inspection showing corrosion and lipping being sent to them.

That's pretty poor :( Have you got anywhere with them yet?

At least you bought it on your Amex!
 
Update:

They refused to take the car back when the brakes were still squeaking, even though it went in for this to be sorted previously and came back in a worse state. Also, this fault was identified within the first two days of us collecting the car. They said they would have to check if the brakes were still squeaking and if so, and it needs fixing, it would be classed as a failed repair, and they would take the vehicle back.

The vehicle went in today and they have said, and I quote "the squeaking brakes is just wear and tear and isn't something they would replace". The squeaking is caused by the car having non-brand specific pads on the car and as a result, is causing the squeaking. Therefore the car is not eligible for a return/refund; however, as a gesture of goodwill, they would replace them with the parts. They have said they will order the correct pads and have them fitted...? Or if we wanted to swap the vehicle for like for like then we could, but this would be done as a trade in and not a replacement.

What do we do from here?

is the only think wrong with it now the brakes?

If so, and you're getting them replaced for free, then that's not a bad result.
 
All 4 discs need changing according to my trusted local BMW dealer, and Arnold Clark just said "no they don't the inspection said it was fine your local dealer is just jealous". Stopped responding to me, even with video inspection showing corrosion and lipping being sent to them.
There's always a degree of subjectivity when it comes to lipped and corroded discs. The parts of the discs that don't make contact with the pads are never going to remain shiny and as such you'll get a lip and corrosion on the discs over time. The real question is are the discs below the minimum thickness specified? If they are and you could prove they were below that when purchasing the vehicle based on your miles travelled then you might have a case. Dealers are quite quick to recommend new discs and pads even if they aren't required IMO. I get all my brakes done from my local garage who don't attempt to milk the customer for every penny and prefer to build up a long term relationship with a customer.
 
There's always a degree of subjectivity when it comes to lipped and corroded discs. The parts of the discs that don't make contact with the pads are never going to remain shiny and as such you'll get a lip and corrosion on the discs over time. The real question is are the discs below the minimum thickness specified? If they are and you could prove they were below that when purchasing the vehicle based on your miles travelled then you might have a case. Dealers are quite quick to recommend new discs and pads even if they aren't required IMO. I get all my brakes done from my local garage who don't attempt to milk the customer for every penny and prefer to build up a long term relationship with a customer.

It's a dealer I've used for many years over many cars, I'm on first name terms with the service manager and I've had cars go though with significantly higher miles on that they haven't tried to say need discs. Even got the service manager himself to recheck in light of this and they've stood by them needing changing.

For reference I bought the car at 2 years old with 7.5k miles, the discs shouldn't be close to even being open to interpretation! The reason they looked at them is because I asked them to check due to a bit of brake judder from higher speeds.

The thing is Arnold Clark haven't even inspected it themselves since, they're just pointing at the auc checklist saying it passed so must be fine (despite the checklist/inspection not detailing a number of things i know should have been listed, like the wheels that got refurbished during prep, or the tyres that had sidewall repairs that I've already had to replace but they have reimbursed me for). It should show the true condition of the car before and after prep.

Let's see what BMW say, the service has been beyond shocking but unfortunately in line with what people who know Arnold Clark better seem to say is normal. I thought a 1 owner 2 year old low mileage approved used BMW would have been immune from these stupid issues, and beyond par for the course things like stone chips basically perfect. My 15k mile 2.5 year old auc 440i from Dick Lovett, at half the purchase price, was less hassle than this.

The car itself is broadly fantastic, and just a bit more care during prep to not miss obvious things would have gone a very long way.
 
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Also the squealing is probably just at the service guy was lazy and didn't put copper grease behind the pad on the part the caliper piston contacts.

Not that you should have to do this, but you'll probably find take the pads and disc off, give everything a proper clean, reassemble with correct points greased and it'll be fine.

I'm not excusing Arnold Clarke it's pretty sloppy to sell a car in that state, but you may find it difficult to prove "serious fault" if it went to court unless you can prove something - eg you got an independent expert to find one, as Arnold Clarke, and let's face it, their mechanical knowledge will be greater than your wife's, will just say it's some minor wear and tear causing.
 
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