[craigd]

Well, as some of you may have read, I have had quite a few problems with my car.

1) I have the same gearbox problem with Popey,
2) the low down rattle from the engine at low revs (which MINI say is a characteristic!)
3) a problem with my auto-aircon fan control sticking (agreed replacement on order)
4) distortion from speakers under load
5) noise passenger side wiper motor - driving me nuts!!!!!!
6) sound of rushing water on accelerating not long after starting up.
7) the diesel sound noise showed up once yesterday and hasn;t returned.

I sent a letter to the dealer and to MINI UK rejecting the car on Wed last week and have been waiting ever since to get a response.

I received a call from the dealer today and they have said that they are refusing to accept my rejection as they have not had the opportunity to fix the problems and I MUST give them that opportunity under the sale of goods act..

They have had 2 chances to repair points 2 and 3 and 1 chance to fix problem 1 without success. All of the other problems have occured since I reported the first problem 2 weeks after delivery.

I have reluctantly agreed to give them one final chance. The car is going in tomorrow and I have been told to arrange for insurance for the courtesy for 2 weeks . MINI would not even discuss compensation with me over the phone..

this looks like it will be the last MINI I will own as I cannot believe MINI's attitude re reporting of problems. Their customer service has taken a serious nose-dive..

A very disgruntled MINI enthusiast...

[hey_psycho]

All car companies are terrible.
I ordered some part, which took over a month to receive, and on top of that they ordered wrong part 3 or 4 times.
They did not give me any compensation, but 10% trade discount for next purchase on parts.

The Honda is probably the best, they replaced my ctr's cylinders in 3 days, and when i had similar problem they fixed that on same day.
Demand Insurance from Mini, ask to talk to manager. This is not your fault that the car is faulty, hence they should provide insurance and courtsey car.
In some cases some insurance companies cover you driving other cars.
Write a letter to BMW headquarters, I am sure they can help.

They make you so frastrated and angry, that you want to take a hamer and smash their cars.
ps: I said this before, In USA you would not have this problem, the company would do anything to satisfy your needs. And you can always sue them. I might consider immigrating to USA.

[popey]

Cant believe how they are been, not only are we getting a replacement but they are also making a payment on the finance. I found when I was talking to MINI they wouldn't talkabout others problems as they "treat each case individually" or words to the effect .

Its so frustrating but I do believe that the dealer been on side is of major importance.

You can refuse to take no for an ansewer and try again.

Hope it all works out for you mate.

[popey]

MINI arranged my car, but woodys did put me an Park Lane at first (FREE).

[Martin F]

As I said on another thread, to force a rejection on legal grounds you need to give the dealer 3 opportunities to fix the problem. I am not sure that all your points represent grounds for rejection. eg sound of rushing water.

I don't want to be negative, but rejection is not always easy. I think some of the rejections that dealers have agreed as described on this forum may have been done with a measure of goodwill.

[zimbo]

Sorry to hear about your problems with the new car Craig, not good news. I hope you can get it all sorted out asap.

[KenL]

I am not convinced Martin F about this 3 times to fix a problem thing if the car developed a serious fault within 6 months of delivery.

My VW was replaced without question, they did not insist on trying to fix it.

Craig, I would call/email DTI if that's possible.

Was this Menzies BTW?

[craigd]

Thanks for the replies folks..

Yeah, this is Menzies, not 100% happy that a customer who has bought 3 MINIs from them and helped promote their business and MINI in general is being treated like a second class citizen

I hope it is going to get better, or god knows what I am going to do.... just fed up fighting to get something done, you would think I was asking for a winning lottery ticket.. I just want my car fixed and if they can't do that, my money back...

[popey]

If you want to go down the legal road it would be very expensive but you would win and MINI will know this.

The law is not as black and white as "you must allow 3 goes at fixing things before a rejection". You also have to consider your own personal disappoint and huge amounts of stress that can be caused.

If your gearbox is like mine its just totaly puts you off driving the car

[Paul]

There is nothing I have seen in the sales of goods act (or other that apply) that state anything about allowing them ANY chances to repair the vehicle/product. Ask them to tell you which paragraph, all the documents are online so easy to reference.

But like they said to me, it's unrealistic not to expect problems, so I guess they're keeping to the company line.

[craigd]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

There is nothing I have seen in the sales of goods act (or other that apply) that state anything about allowing them ANY chances to repair the vehicle/product. Ask them to tell you which paragraph, all the documents are online so easy to reference.

But like they said to me, it's unrealistic not to expect problems, so I guess they're keeping to the company line.

I argued this point with the dealer and they said, "YOU MUST GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM!" I argued that if I bought a TV for £300 and it developed a fault, I would take it back and get a refund or a replacement, I did not have to give the retailer an opportunity to fix it...

As it is, this is their last chance, fix it or give me my money back....!

[Paul]

Get it in writing, as already they're not telling the truth about MUST give them a chance to fix it. That's simply not the case. I always think it is a good idea to give them the chance though, but to make you feel powerless about the situation is out of order. The law is very much better in favour of the consumer now than it used to be, maybe they're still in the past?

[rkw]

Quote: Originally Posted by hey_psycho (original)

In USA you would not have this problem, the company would do anything to satisfy your needs. And you can always sue them.

Not true. We get just as many horror stories involving customer complaints, and if you sue them there are many tactics they can use to drag out the legal process until your expenses make it not worthwhile to pursue the lawsuit. Usually the best resolution comes from having a sympathetic dealer who tries to help you negotiate a deal with MINI.

[Paul]

Same here in terms of the legal route. Even if you're right, you're usually best avoiding it.

My policy is to try and be reasonable with the dealer, talk to them, keep all lines of communication open and TRY to work together. Sounds like they're not making it easy, but now you're where you are my only advice would be to get and keep everything that's said about future faults, chances of rejection etc IN WRITING.

[ScottieCoop]

well it does not surprise me of Menzies I AM in no doubt that they are now one of worst dealers in my area.


This 3 chances to fix the car belongs more to the lemon laws in some parts of America. In the UK they need a fair chance at fixing the car.

you can all argue all day long about rejecting cars blah blah blah but to reject a car

1st you need to know your rights so you do not put yourself in a position that the dealers can pull the wool over your eyes. You can be sure the staff in the dealers do not really have a clue about your rights.

2nd If the car is financed then you must speak to them first.

3rd and most important STOP DRIVING THE CAR.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottieCoop (original)

This 3 chances to fix the car belongs more to the lemon laws in some parts of America. In the UK they need a fair chance at fixing the car.

I'm not sure in Scottish law, but in England I've seen no reference to that in my research when rejecting cars in the past, I think it's more an assumed thing to do.

[sav112]

"Yeah, this is Menzies, not 100% happy "



I was thinking about buying from them if I decide to go down the Mini route, May as well stick to Giffnock Mini. I thought they might have been a bit better to deal with.

[AndyParker]

sorry to hear about ure problems!

If you need some help with regards to rejecting the car then have search for "honest john" in google he writes a motoring column for the telegraph.

Specific page relating to rejection; honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=43
i'd post the proper page up but i'm a newbie here and it won't let me

The law does in fact give the retailer/dealer (in this case) 3 opportunitites to rectify the problem before you can apply to reject it (Appeal Court Case law Bernstein v/s Palmerston Motors 1987)

hope this helps and good luck!

[Paul]

The law has changed since 1987 though, and as far as I can see from the legal advice given online that doesn't apply to new cars.

[CC07ERS]

Sorry to hear this Craig with any luck you will get the rifght result from Mini