Objective views required

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
From my perspective Phil has the right of it here. MOT or no MOT, the snapped ends of the spring are fully corroded. Broken springs I have seen fresh have either a completely clean snapped end or a partial fracture which is corroded with a clean part which is not.

There is plenty of evidence here that the fault was present at purchase - I would politely point out the evidence and offer the vendor the opportunity to fix it at their cost, make it clear that if they do not you will do so yourself and then make a claim against them for the cost (which might include some other maintenance too ;) ). The consumer rights act has your back here.
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
It can’t cost much to buy a spring and stick it on surely?
If you want to keep the car I would appeal to dealers good will and ask if they will cover or contribute. Gently suggest you will ask on all the maserati forums in Europe what they think... Thisnworked for me on my first purchase when brake fluid was leaking - not covered under warranty.
They suddenly wanted to maintain good will and covered the costs
 

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,027
The warranty firms I've dealt with regarding s/h cars have not been worth the paper they're written on, the old 'don't cover wear and tear' can cover their backs on almost anything, the garage that sold you the car I thought would be a bit more forthcoming on helping you out especially if the car wasn't heavily discounted when you bought it. They need to be a bit accommodating in this day and age of reviews in the internet.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Did the dealer put a warranty on the car
With a third party company. If the answer is yes then call them and send them that picture to process the claim. If there is no third party involved then the onus is on the dealer/seller to replace that spring.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
There is a difference one would assume between what is covered by a warranty firm, and what is covered by law?
The difference would have to be covered by the dealer.
 

Wheelybin

Member
Messages
224
Did the dealer put a warranty on the car
With a third party company. If the answer is yes then call them and send them that picture to process the claim. If there is no third party involved then the onus is on the dealer/seller to replace that spring.

The dealer did put a warranty on the car through a third party but when I discussed this with the warranty company they said any corrosion of the spring would mean no claim.

I spoke to the dealer today and they are confident they are in a good position because of the MOT / suggesting they don’t know how I’ve been driving the car since picking it up a few weeks earlier / should count myself lucky the inspection after sale only brought up these issues!

They are being a little funny because it was SOR so they keep on saying we will discuss with the former owner and see if he will pay the bill or not - surely it is the dealer, not the former owner?!
 

Wheelybin

Member
Messages
224
The warranty firms I've dealt with regarding s/h cars have not been worth the paper they're written on, the old 'don't cover wear and tear' can cover their backs on almost anything, the garage that sold you the car I thought would be a bit more forthcoming on helping you out especially if the car wasn't heavily discounted when you bought it. They need to be a bit accommodating in this day and age of reviews in the internet.

Yes. I’ve tried to be reasonable and offered to pay for the spring and them the labour. If they don’t accept that, and from what I can sense so far, I doubt they will then I will resort to consumer act, chargeback, honest reviews online etc and I suspect the loss to them will be greater overall. But let’s hope they are reasonable!
 

jasst

Member
Messages
2,313
I think the corrosion not covered under warranty issue refers to general overall corrosion of the spring, not the corrosion to the broken end of the spring, looking at the pic I'd say that your springs are in a fairly good state regarding that.
I also place very little faith in an Mot that the supplying dealer has had put on a car, they put lots of business to the garage carrying out the Mot, who are probably only to willing to turn the occasional blind eye due to the volume of business supplied.
When that spring broke, it would have been clean metal on the majority if not all the broken end, and there is no way it has corroded that much in 30 days.
This is also a matter of principle, all very well saying 'take it on the chin, springs aren't very expensive etc' someone is trying it on, and I would fight tooth and nail to get it sorted.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
The fact that the car was SOR makes no difference what so ever!
Nothing to do with the original owner.
Sound like they are bluffing and hoping you just go away!
That to me, even if the cost to you to get the spring changed yourself is not the end of the world, would wind me up and make me pursue the dealer just for the principle of it!
 

Wheelybin

Member
Messages
224
The fact that the car was SOR makes no difference what so ever!
Nothing to do with the original owner.
Sound like they are bluffing and hoping you just go away!
That to me, even if the cost to you to get the spring changed yourself is not the end of the world, would wind me up and make me pursue the dealer just for the principle of it!

Yep, it’s this kind of stuff which is firing me up and I paid full price too
 

lifes2short

Member
Messages
5,821
Not read this whole saga, but it's simple, give the supplying dealer a fair chance to repair it, if they refuse then provide them with a lengthy letter of the circumstances and why you hold them responsible and with a timeline for repair (7 working days). If all that fails then one further letter giving them 7 days notice otherwise you will start legal proceedings for the cost of repairs (assuming you have a quote). If still no joy then start a Money Claim Online, very straightforward and doesn't cost much, that will soon get their attention.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
SOR means nothing the onus is on the dealer. Call the warranty company back and tell them the spring has cracked not corroded. How hard is this?
 

Wheelybin

Member
Messages
224
SOR means nothing the onus is on the dealer. Call the warranty company back and tell them the spring has cracked not corroded. How hard is this?

Yeah, I think that might be beyond me!! The warranty company require photographic evidence before approving a claim...