Warning!

[highlander]

Well, at least you got a reply from Mr C at vosa.....seems my name has dropped off his list? I wonder how many more are missing?
Have sent email as below.....as a subtle reminder.
Hi John
I note that you have contacted other Maserati owners advising of an agreed action with the manufacturer. Can I assume that it was an error not emailing me also in this regard?
I also remind you that my removed wishbone remains at the disposal of vosa if they wish to compare it to the new wishbone Maserati have produced which appears better engineered to resist cracking.
Regards
Greg Maclachlan

 

[D Walker]

So, If I get this right,

Before I am embark on my Scottish road trip, circa 1200-1350 miles, I will get the car on the ramp, I and an MOT inspector can look at the wishbones and determine if it is safe to drive.

If they then fail without warning then that's nobodies fault. Its just unlucky!!!

Worrying that they only have 1 recorded total failure!!!

 

[allandwf]

So, If I get this right,

Before I am embark on my Scottish road trip, circa 1200-1350 miles, I will get the car on the ramp, I and an MOT inspector can look at the wishbones and determine if it is safe to drive.

If they then fail without warning then that's nobodies fault. Its just unlucky!!!
Worrying that they only have 1 recorded total failure!!!

But if you don't and they fail, you are accountable as you knew it may have a problem? :/ I'm sort of glad I don't have mine at the moment.

 

[D Walker]

But if you don't and they fail, you are accountable as you knew it may have a problem? :/ I'm sort of glad I don't have mine at the moment.

I will check them Greg - but if there is a perceived "imminent" failure or a "possible - dependent on bush corrosion" then the body responsible for safety on the roads should make a decision IMO.

What is important is that not all owners are aware - who would be able to prove who was and who wasn't aware.

Dave

 

[spkennyuk]

DVSA seem to be hiding behind a code of practice that has more than a few flaws in it.

Couple of extracts from their code of practice below. First paragraph I think we all agree the wishbone issue clearly falls under. The second paragraph contradicts what the DVSA are saying . Their primary role is to protect the user ?? They can and will if necessarty publish the information after consultation with the parts suppliers, distributors and manufacturers. ( done already) Maybe the question we should ask the DVSA is at which point does the 3rd section of the 2nd paragraph (under lined) become the appropriate action under section 9 of their own code of practice. anything other than a fairly prompt timescale from now considering how long this has gone on for is clearly contradicting their "Primary role" to "protect the users"

Safety defect - A safety related defect is a failure due to design and/or construction, which is likely to affect the safe operation of the product without prior warning to the user and may pose a significant risk to the driver, occupants and others. This defect will be common to a number of products that have been sold for use in the United Kingdom

It should be clear that DVSA’s primary role is to protect users and therefore reserves the right, under Ministerial authority, to publish at any time information of public interest. Before doing so, DVSA will consult the producer and/or distributor, and where appropriate the component, part manufacturer or supplier concerned. DVSA will not disclose publicly information on matters of commercial confidence unless there appear to be overriding safety considerations.

I'm starting to wonder what the agency liability would be as far as a known potential fault would be and not notifying the end users in a timely manner.

In summary the DVSA have already complied with the 1st and 2nd section of the second paragraph or section 9 of their code of practice. They can if they choose to instigate the 3rd section now and still comply with their code of practice.

 

[saintetienne]

I see what you are saying regarding being liable for checking , but if Maserati don't inform anyone that there is a problem how are you supposed to know - we have a great forum here that works well , but not everyone owning a Coupe is a member here , so how can you check extensively for something you are not aware of ?

This is a situation with some similarities to BMW's cam chain issues , then BMW were only checking vehicles when customers contacted them - effectively leaving people driving round in a ticking time bomb . Regarding Mark's potential letter to watchdog - this was done on the BMW Cam chain issue and looked to help the case.

We are again at the question of if a manufacturer is aware of a defect leading to a potential failure with very serious consequences are they not duty bound to inform all owners as soon as they know ?

They advised 3200 owners of the steering rack mount issue , so what is different here , cost ?

 

[mchristyuk]

I think the gist of it is that Maserati will be informing all owners, however the DVSA won't tell us directly what this will be about UNTIL Maserati have confirmed they're ready to handle it.

So until that point you have to make the judgement call yourself whether your car is safe or not... even if the DVSA knows it isn't (or is)!

I got told a lovely horror story this morning concerning Mercedes and the DVSA which makes me realise even more that the DVSA is not fit for purpose!

Mark

 

[saintetienne]

I think the gist of it is that Maserati will be informing all owners, however the DVSA won't tell us directly what this will be about UNTIL Maserati have confirmed they're ready to handle it.

So until that point you have to make the judgement call yourself whether your car is safe or not... even if the DVSA knows it isn't (or is)!

I got told a lovely horror story this morning concerning Mercedes and the DVSA which makes me realise even more that the DVSA is not fit for purpose!

Mark

Mark ,

Whatever the outcome your good work is appreciated .

It does make you wonder how they can approach owners and state that they are aware that these vehicles are fitted with substandard components and not offer to do something about it though.

I think the DVSA is as much use as the FCA .

 

[safrane]

You could always request the info from VOSA under FOI.

 

[D Walker]

One things for sure - if it was an aircraft - it would be grounded immediately!

 

[Wack61]

If it was a commercial vehicle subject to operator licensing they'd take your licence away for driving a seriously defective vehicle

they say they don't but I think they still operate under the ford pinto fuel tank case, it's going to cost XXXXXXXX to recall every car but only XXX to pay compensation for those that get killed so let them burn

 

[highlander]

Got my reply from Mr C re my offer of my cracked bone to compare to the new component.
Tbh, I don't think they are interested..........
I acknowledge and appreciate your offer of component comparison. DVSA has
had photographic evidence which has been discussed with the manufacturer
and therefore will not be progressing the offer on this occasion.

 

[mchristyuk]

Good grief Greg.. don't go trying to get them to do some proper work..! Remember the government body for road safety has nobody qualified to actually look at the safety of car components... and anyway they've made their quota target of "handling" issues this year and must start planning for the manufacturer chum-in Xmas party now... priorities and all that!

Hmm.. maybe that sounded a little bitter..

Mark

 

[BennyD]

If it was a commercial vehicle subject to operator licensing they'd take your licence away for driving a seriously defective vehicle

they say they don't but I think they still operate under the ford pinto fuel tank case, it's going to cost XXXXXXXX to recall every car but only XXX to pay compensation for those that get killed so let them burn

I thought that was why they created the charge of 'corporate manslaughter'; to prevent finance from taking priority over lives.

 

[D Walker]

One things for sure - if it was an aircraft - it would be grounded immediately!

Durham Tees Valley air show cancelled from this weekend and moved until May!!!!

 

[Wack61]

I thought that was why they created the charge of 'corporate manslaughter'; to prevent finance from taking priority over lives.

I'm probably wrong then, but if they've known about this problem for years but haven't recalled the cars , why not

It'd be interesting to know if US cars have had a recall, or the price of parts has increased like it has here, manufacturers usually jump when the US flinches as it's their biggest market and they have the most lawyers.

It has put me off looking at 4200s but then that's why I'm doing plenty of research before my wife decides how much I can spend

 

[drewf]

There have been no recalls for wishbones in the US, or in France, Germany or Switzerland.

The US guys on this forum haven't apparently seen the problem; here in France/Switzerland, there are some issues being discovered with the REAR wishbones (which are apparently only rarely being found in the UK), but as far as I'm aware no instances of front wishbone failure.

 

[Wack61]

So is this the old shape or the new one

Looks in good condition for £80

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MASERATI-...-SUSPENSION-/281784387830?hash=item419ba888f6

 

[safrane]

Old and used, unless x-rayed you may not be able to see any fractures... you can make these look like new cleaning them.

 

[mchristyuk]

We've only seen new rear suspension arms. That is an old front upper.. whether there is a new front upper style nobody yet knows.

The issues do seem confined to Northern Europe so I'd expect the moisture and grit play some part towards the issues. That said, the cars are sold as being suitable for these climates so should work without falling apart in a dangerous manner between services!

Mark