[hu0u5078]

Hi,
Just had a quick search to find some information on courtesy cars but couldn't so I posted here.

I took my mini in this morning to the dealer. Having been told last week that I would be given a courtesy car while my vehicle is repaired. The issues are gearbox grind from 3-2, trim peeled off, sound system doesn't even get loud, just loses it (bass etc), once or twice the engine revs have stuck at around 1600-1800 revs in stood traffic. But accelerated and lowers to normal. Wasn't to bothered about the issues as I assumed mini would provide a car, while they fixed/looked at the car but a tad annoyed now. And some body work due to dizzy woman knockng drivers wing mirror off

On arrival, I was told that I would have to provide my own insurance on the courtesy car .
Which he insisted he told me about the previous week and didn't, then said I would have recieved a letter........which I didn't. I wasn't given a car but dropped off at home. Not a problem this week as I am on half term. but what about in future will I have to pay for the courtesy car? For design faults, quality problems all warranty work.

Its amazing really that they provide insurance for customers test driving minis but not for existing customers. Where do I stand for a courtesy car in future. He gave me a load of twaddle about being a franchise. TBH I don't care if they are a franchise or not to the customer a mini is a mini and expect like for like vehicle replacement when requiring work not inflicted upon the car by me.

Please help, I don't really know where I stand.

P.S They also quoted me £198.00 for JCW carbon fibre mirror caps but getting them for £160.

[Richard Crofts]

You do normally have to use your insurance on courtesy cars. It is possible at some dealers for them to cover you under a policy of theres but this is fast becoming very rare, not sure if its due to some change in laws about 3rd party users or just cost.

Every dealer I use, and mine are very good now asks you to provide insurance or at least proof of insurance. One of my local dealers never asks again as they have details of the fact i have valid insurance and they only want to check I'm covered 3rd party. The other always wants me covered fully comp so provide me with the details and reg of my car the week prior and then i tell my insurer...it usually costs between £5-£15 extra for a couple of days depending on what car the dealer is giving me.

Hope this helps.

[hu0u5078]

Thankyou

My only problem is that I am the second driver on the R56 cooper s, the car requiring the work. So I aren't able to drive any other vehichles on that policy. But I am the fist driver on a R53 Cooper, so I would be able to drive the R56 cooper as it is in the same insurance bracket 3rd party. If they would allow me to. Just not the s .

Will ask if they will allow me to do this in future.

Thanks again.

At least I got dropped off and someone is picking me up again (hopefully )

[R99]

I'm 19 and recently had spot lights fitted at my local dealer (Bateman MINI) they were more than happy for me to have a courtesy car.

I did not need to provide insurance, I went on their policy, all I had to do was sign a form agreeing to the excess.

They gave me a Cooper Converitble for the afternoon, it was a nice change to the D.

James.

[Japper]

Yep, this is one of my bugbears with BMW. Either i have to get a cover note from my own insurance or pay £25 to use their courtesy car. Neither of which i had to do when I had my Audis.

Good job then that I have a freindly sales guy who just gives me the keys to whichever demo i want . Usually a r56s but yesterday had the r56 one. Have to say I think it was better than the R56 cooper I had a couple of weeks ago. Not for outright pace but better handling for sure.

[hu0u5078]

It is really annoying.

When I was waiting for my R56 S due to the delay on the december cars I had a courtesy car R56 cooper and 3/4 full tank of fuel. And I signed the form for the excess like R99, but with another dealer.

The R56 cooper was a good ride just not fast enough for a speed freak Would have liked to drive the R53 S to compare as I have R53 Cooper previously.

The only reason I haven't taken the car to this dealer for warranty work is due to location, I'm at home for easter and am going back to uni next monday so wanted it sorted before I go back.

Will use the other dealership next time.

[hu0u5078]

After my initial moan on here and moan to the Mini service manager, about their policy they couldn't have been more helpfull. Probably because I said that they weren't being competitve enough with other dealers who provide a fully insured courtesy car.

The first replacement of the drivers door glass was still scratched, after I collected it. So this morning a driver came out and collected my car to go back in again for another replacement. He left me with the car he turned up in (not a mini but an old car) and said I could drive it (He said it was covered by business insurance, I wasn't complaining as a car was what I wanted in the first place, MINI or not)

When he brought my car back it was immaculate it had been cleaned inside and out, buffed a scratch out and smells lemony fresh. They had even used acid on the wheels to remove the tar. (they were a right old mess ) and black to blacked the wheels

I rang to thank the service manager

Guess they showed they are competitive afterall Well done MINI