[BRGreenie]

All

read on this forum that there have been problems with some peoples MINIs - and I get a hint that they have bought new ones that have returned to the garage again and again.

This worries me with my new one coming soon.

However the law in the UK is changing to come in line with European practice.

But you only need the law as a last resort, there are better ways to get that Lemon off your drive and replace it with a decent ( nad mostly better ) specced car.

True story, my wife's aunt bought a lemon 3 years ago.
It would be unfair of me to mention the make as this was eventually and amazingly settled in her favour - but surprisingly the car was neither British or Italian.

Usual story - she gets delivery and stright away there are faults, the gearbox is very sticky and minor electrical problems.

SIX ( yes SIX ) visits to the workshop in about 8 months, gearbox replaced, clutch reolaced ( twice I think ) electric mirrors replace, new motors for the windscreen wiper, door windows, exhaust header replaced ( cracked whilst having something else done in the workshop ) etc etc .

Dealer refused point blank to replace car. What does Auntie do?

She writes to the head of this companies European organisation demanding a replacement - in the letter she lists all the faults plus ...

She informs this bigwig that she is sending a copy of this letter to the motoring correspondant for the Telegraph, Times, Sun, Mirror etc etc PLUS all of the current consumer programs on British TV - BBC's Watchdog etc.

Of course she didn't send these letters to these people - she didn't have to.

Guess what - she gets a personal phone call from the Bigwigs secretary sympathising with her and within two weeks she has a brand new model of the same car on her drive - this time fully loaded.

I can't promise you that this will happen every time - and it won't work if you have small rectifyable problems that are really just a niggle.

But it is worth trying - if the car is a Lemon don't waste time haggling with an unsympathic dealer - go for the jugular = remember the millions these companies spend on advertising - they last thing they need is bad publicity and a determined, wronged customer on their back,

Give them hell - you have nothing to loose but your lemon!!!

[eneemeenee]

Nice to hear of a company caring. I on the flip side got a lemon motorbike and had to resort to making this after dealing with the company for almost 2 years :

http://members.shaw.ca/jotk/ducrap/ducrap.html

All countries need Lemon Laws. We don't have them in Alberta, Canada so the company simply did not care. The web site had the right effect though (and I got over 300 emails). Eventually I got the bike fixed and a 2 year extension on the warranty.

Jot

[HarryHBMCC]

In Ontario (Canada?) there is no lemon law, per se. There is a voluntary arbitration programme for that sort of thing but BMW Canada does not participate so letters and/or lawyers are your only recourse if you have a lemon.

Harry

[Powertool]

Hi guys! Thought I would put my two pennies worth in here. True story - my friend got a new MINI and it would not drive straight, so it was replaced, the second was also replaced, don't know why, each time with a new one. This third one had many minor but rectifiable faults eg rattles, boot lock breaking. He had so many problems with actually getting it all fixed and the finance dept kept mucking up that after a few angry phone calls and a letter to the head of customer services, he got his old and battered Cooper exchanged for an S, a basic one but at no extra cost. If you do get a lemon, be persistant, let them know you are not going to go away. They may come through at the end.
Good luck with your lemons everybody!

[BRGreenie]

That makes me feel better Powertool! Thanks

As I say I feel nervous now for my May delivery. I have had loads of secondhand cars in my life but only a few new ones - desoite having a new Alfa 156 (!!!) I never got a lemon.

Hope my luck lasts