So I have had my 2010 Justa for 2 months and it has been back to the dealers 4 times already

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ter-noise.html

Is it time to cut my losses and trade the car for something else or should I stick with it and let the dealers try and fix the problem?

They don't seem to know what the problem is and I could do without the inconvenience of trips backwards and forwards to the dealers every week.

As much as I like the car I have lost interest in it now to be honest...

 

so sorry to hear that! Do you have a "lemon law" there?? Here we are somewhat protected if we end up with a defective car by what we call the lemon law.

 

Thanks for the reply - I believe there is some kind of Lemon law but only on brand new cars.

If I bail I am going to lose money for sure

 

Presumably it's still under warranty... Try a different dealer or contact MINI corporate. If it's broken and covered by warranty they need to figure out what it is and get it fixed.

 

Yep, I would be rabid about a warranty fix. If they can't fix their own product, there should be some recourse for you. If not, I would run it off the nearest cliff...er...get rid of it.

 

You may need to research your state lemon law. Your car may be used but from what I understand so long as it's under manufacturers warranty, it should still be protected by the lemon law. Don't take a loss if there's a lemon law to protect you.

Edit - I just realized you're in London England. I believe the equivalent of the Lemon Law for you is the Sales of Goods act.

 

If the car has been to the shop because of the same problem then definatly contact mini. I would not trade the car or bail on it if you will owe money . Good luck

 

+1 on what R G said

 

I'm really struggling with this - have been offered £11k by the dealer to buy the car from me.

I'd lose £2.5k in just over 2 months! But due to the awful rattling noises it is making and the thought of yet more trips backwards and forwards to the workshop I am seriously considering accepting this and walking away.

I don't owe finance so would be hurting in the savings department for a few months. I don't even know what car I'd get next either as I wanted a MINI for years. Probably get a cheap beater for a while whilst I recoup my losses.

I have contacted mini uk and explained the situation - whilst they were sympathetic they couldn't give me a firm figure for an excessive number of times to attempt to fix the car before they'd consider any kind of compensation - my complaint is now logged anyway but I didn't think it would lead anywhere.

Meantime, the car is still scheduled to be booked in on the 21st Feb for yet another (3rd) attempt at diagnosing correctly and fixing the problem.

Who knows what long-term damage is being done to the engine by driving it around with this fault?

 

Maybe its time to contact a lawyer and tell Mini unless they repair the car under warranty, you will file a law suit .

Before doing this, have you tried explaining the problem to an independent Mini repair shop ?

What is the problem ?

 

I appreciate your suggestion, but realistically (knowing lawyers fees) it would be less time consuming, less hassle and probably less expense to just sell the dealer the car, take the hit and walk!

See my 1st rant/post for link to the thread detailing the problem.

Thanks

 

Bloater,

Have you tried contacting the district service rep from Mini to discuss this matter directly in person ? You may need to set up this appointment as they jump from dealership to dealership.

Seems to me if they would pull the oil pan off the car when its cold to check inside to see if the chain is loose; and they may see scraping marks on the block and the condition of the chain........ ( less than an hour of labor, a pan gasket and the oil to confirm if this is the problem )

District reps have the power to order these types of research repairs....... !

I know how you feel about this, but give it a try with the district service rep.

I'd go over the dealerships head in this matter.