Hello,

In October of 2022 (six months ago), I bought a 2019 MINI.

According to the Certified Pre Owned document I received from the dealer, it said the car is accompanied by a complete vehicle history report and that it has been thoroughly inspected.

Looking at the car this morning, I noticed that the windshield is not straight from the factory, i.e. it's a replacement glass.

Now I've not had any issues with it...leaking or anything, but should they have "reported" this when selling the car.

 

If a genuine OEM replacement by a dealership, seems should have been captured within MINI USA service records by VIN. OTOH, if replacement done by Safelite or similar independent shop (regardless whether OEM or aftermarket glass), not so sure would show on CarFax, let alone MINI's database. I have 2 stone chips in mine and will have it replaced when worsens (insurance glass endorsement) with OEM (only), despite being roughly 2x cost vs non-OEM. IMO, those are considered a normal wear item, thus wouldn't be worried about leaks if installed correctly.

 

@MCS4FUN Like I said, I don't really have any complaints on the glass - it's been in tons of rain and some snow (no issues) and from what I've read, it's more about the seal than the glass.

I'm just starting to wonder about this dealer...They supposedly do a full inspection...I signed a document stating so about certified pre owned

I would assume this would be something that might come up.

Tires are supposedly a certain depth, that might be true.
Brakes supposedly have a certain amount of life. I was told in January that I have about 6k miles left on the pads. Now, I bought the car in October of 22. For a normal driver that's about six months since purchase...

 

6months vs 90days - I'm not sure what my apply.
Although I would agree with your concern with regards to potential failure at a later date and the fact that it was never recorded as part of the inspection docs.
I think if it were me; I would kindly address the matter to the dealer and see if they can addendum the original CPO docs in the event the matter should ever come up.
I really dislike unnecessary debate months or years after the fact. The sooner the better it is discussed would be better in the interest.

Just my opinion.

 

My former 2013 R53 was purchased from nearest MINI dealer CPO, in that case just a few days after the lessee turned it in. So, I was actually the first true owner other than MINI USA. At that time, service department told me they couldn't furnish service records details due to privacy protection protocol, which was only partly true. The service dept can do a summary report of work done, without divulging customer details or cost - just the date, mileage and service performed. I found all those service receipts tucked into the passenger seat back panel map pocket where the lessee had stored those. If the former owner paid for replacement out of pocket, more likely than not went that route due to price difference mentioned before.

You haven't stated whether the replacement windshield was OEM or aftermarket, with the former noted by permanent markings visible. If none, its aftermarket thus unlikely the selling MINI dealer would have any record of that work. You might well be obsessing about all this. Signing off...

 

Oh sorry. It’s fuyao. And it’s clearly marked on the windshield. I noticed it today when scrubbing something off the passenger mirror.

Mini logos would be on the driver side too

anyways. I agree with sooner the better. I just never thought to look and it’s been a warm winter but one where o want to hang out outside checking out the car.

i like the idea of at least getting it noted though.

i really want to ask about the brake pads as well.

 

It's likely they did a full inspection. To pass the windshield should be free of chips, cracks and should seal properly--so it sounds like this one passed with flying colors. As others have said, most dealerships consider this a replacement item--when looking at relatively cheap cars such as our Minis they are not going to be to psychotic when it comes to details like glass manufacturers during the CPO inspection process. I've replaced several windshields through insurance--With progressive, it never showed up on the carfax.

 

@916WI I just find the "being provided with a full history report" part being a bit misleading. Anybody inspecting the car (as they said they did) would've found this pretty easily. I mean he told me the brake pads were replaced...which is the other thing...he said I should have significant life on the current ones...that's not the case.

Oh well...more just frustrated at being misled a bit.

 

If the car is an "Official Mini CPO" vehicle, the biggest advantage is getting the extended 6-year / unlimited mileage warranty. Also, if the car is Mini CPO, you don't ever have to return to that dealer for claims - you can go to any Mini dealer. Another thing to note about Mini CPO is the dealer must pay to have the car registered with Mini.

If the car is a "Dealer Special CPO", then all bets are off.

Of course, if you are finding items that don't jive with Mini CPO, then I would walk.

 

Be tough to walk as the car is in my driveway ... It's not the 6 year extension. It's basically an extra year...so it goes to five years instead of the 4 year.

But it's any dealer...

Like I said...I'm just annoyed a bit by what I was told (in person and in writing) of how they inspect the car and then "oh the brakes have significant amount of life left" to what I'm actually seeing. Oh well, he runs great. I would hope for better mpg, but for the type of driving I do (around town), I guess he's doing alright.

 

Yeah, missed the part about already purchased...

According tot he Mini CPO website, the warranty becomes 6-year / unlimited mileage.
https://www.miniusa.com/model/mini-c...-preowned.html

The 5-year limit is for vehicle age. Dealer cannot get the car into the CPO program if older than 5-years or more than 60,000 miles on the odometer.

Edit: Well, now I see conflicting claims on the CPO website... Further down the page they state 5-year / unlimited mileage warranty... I would call up Mini USA and ask for clarification, and maybe also mention the windshield glass and whatever else you might be concerned with.

 

@njaremka I was going to drop by the dealer today to talk about it. I'm not sure I've ever been able to speak to someone or get any type of actual non-generic response (through emailing) when contacting MINI.

Like the idea though.

note...and yes....my sheet states the 5 year option

 

I think "misled" is a little strong. The dealership likely provided a report of service history done by MINI. Chances are the PO picked up a rock chip and called auto glass specialists and had the repair done in their driveway. The dealership was not involved in the repair and it was not reported to them. I would guess that the CPO inspection makes zero mention of OEM windshield glass--as long as there are no cracks or chips, they would pass it. Which is entirely rational.......I can't imagine a dealership pulling and then throwing out a perfectly fine aftermarket windshield just to CPO a car. It would be akin to saying the car originally came with Pirelli tires but was turned in with brand new Michelins--and then thinking they would throw the Michelins in the dumpster to CPO the car with Pirellis.......The brakes are a different matter entirely. If the report had a substantial pad thickness listed and in reality they were almost shot, that would be an issue.........

 

The dealership provided a carfax...an odomoter disclosure statement and a bunch of receipts.

I got the full mini report from a different dealer when checking an error code.

And a chip repaired in the driveway...this is a whole new windshield... I would agree that replacement parts...like a new air filter, tires, brakes, etc...would not need to be mentioned. That's why I found it odd...if you're going to mention the brakes, why omit the windshield. If you're replacing the whole thing, that probably means something happened.

Dealers exaggerate, overlook, stress the positive all the time to move product. Cars basically sold themselves last winter though...I wouldn't think any of this was necessary. It is what it is I guess

EDIT...thank you @njaremka I looked on the miniusa site you linked to.One of the things it states is "original, genuine MINI parts". Now, does Fuyao make Mini windshields to begin with? And it also talks about checking rotors and pads. Hmmmm...

 

Had a windshield in my Porsche Boxster replaced at work. Safelite tech did the entire job there.

New windshield needed because a long ago rock chip finally caused a crack to extend across the full width of the windshield and right at eye height. Safelite installed a factory windshield. He used a new factory gasket. Doubt if any of the Porsche techs that saw the car in regularly for service even knew the car got a new windshield. Oh they might have guessed it if they noticed how free of rock chips the new windshield was. At least for awhile...

 

The dealership didn't replace it--Windshields are cheap, the PO had it done w/o involving the dealer. The CPO inspector didn't mention the windshield because it was completely fine and well within the specs to be CPOd. These are relatively inexpensive commuter cars and 99% of the MINI customer base wouldn't care who manufactured the windshield, as long as it was chip and crack free. The brakes were mentioned because the pad wear is hard to evaluate for most people, a chip and crack free windshield is not difficult to evaluate. What do you want the dealer to do? Trash a completely good windshield to replace it with another completely good windshield that has a different little logo in the corner? Good luck getting them to pay for that!!

 

@916WI no not at all. And i apologize for this becoming an argument. Not my intention. MINi specifically says only OEM parts. This is not a Mini part.

it says they inspect the pass and rotors. Seeing the wear on them. I’m wondering what are they inspected for. That they exist?

i don’t expect them to do anything about them. But saying they made sure it was all oem pads and that the brakes were good is false on both counts. That’s all.

and relatively inexpensive? where's the line on that one?

 

No worries.......When MINI runs the car though it's CPO program, after inspection any failure is addressed when they recondition the cars. At this point, the service department uses OEM parts. If the windshield was cracked or chipped on inspection, it would have been replaced with an OEM windshield. The aftermarket windshield was completely serviceable before the car was CPO'd, so there was no reason to replace it. I'm sure there are limits as to acceptable wear on rotors and pads. If they fall within them, they pass. If they fail, they would be replaced with OEM parts.......
Considering that the average new car price currently sits at just under $50K, I really never considered MINI a "premium" brand. They make a relatively cheap, but incredibly fun and quirky commuter. It is what it is........

 

@916WI oh wow...

I guess I just differ...I'm not thinking they would replace it, but if you say all OEM parts and something is not...sounds like the kind of thing that should be disclosed otherwise you look dishonest with your first claim.

As for the brakes, I just can't imagine that 8k miles left is the acceptable amount. Hey I've been wrong before.

And jesus...50K for a new car...you're right....I guess I'll keep going used then

 

Nowhere does it say the car consists of all OEM parts though. MINI is saying that any reconditioning that needs to be done as a result of the CPO inspection is done with OEM parts. At the end of the day, it's a glorified used car. They will bring it up to spec spending as little as possible. I bought a 2018 6 speed JCW 2 door with 14k miles 2 months ago. Sticker price was around $42k and I bought it for $27k. I'm guessing you got a similar deal. The 35% discount from list comes with not knowing what the PO did to that car in the first 14K miles. I agree with the questioning of the CPO regarding the brake wear. If your brakes are below maximum wear points, reach out to the dealer and see what they say. It may be a little difficult after 6 months tho.

 

@916WI not difficult at all to say something. Now if I’m expecting them to do any work, def a long shot. But yeah o know how used cars work. As i said. I think I’ll stick with them; I’m not sure i could fathom spending that much on a car

oh and thank you for your thoughts. Although i disagree. Well in that i think it’s shady. I appreciate the discussion

 

I hate to leave a crowd in suspense (ha ha)...but update.

I went into the dealer where I got the car. They were very nervous about the brakes story and went to their fileroom to get the original checklist (of which they made me a copy). Well, the front brakes were past the limit (4mm) and the rear were somewhat close (the limit being 5 mm). So, to become CPO, the front brakes had to be replaced. They of course have record of buying the parts, but no record of installing them. "Oh we wouldn't have ordered the part and not install them"....so, they said I should have it measured at the place that said they were fading and if it was too low they'd replace them as they should've been. Not sure why they didn't check themselves, but...

Anyways back are still close and the front are close to new, so good news is I'll probably only need rear in the near future.

As for the windshield, that's an error in wording as for Used/CPO, the windshield just needs to be free of chips and cracks. For just used, chips can be filled in. Aftermarket windshields are supposedly fine as windshields aren't covered under warranty anyways.

So at the end of the day I'm happy I brought it in and asked...got more info (Original checklist and actual measurements), they were "honorable" in that they would've fixed the fronts if they indeed had not already been, and made good with my local MINI dealer by openly questioning a different one

As you were...

 

Good for you!
Cool - It never hurts to ask.
' glad to know you received an answer and they were able to clarify.

Now get out there and enjoy your Mini