Consumer rights- Used car bought 4 months only used locally ago now needs £860 repairs

[Milliemann]

I bought an 05 Micra from local dealer for £3795 with 26,000 mileage. I paid for the car on 14/03/14 and took it home. Its only the second car I have ever had and I only managed to get it after 5 years of sorting my credit out so I could get a £6000 bank loan to pay for the car/insurance/breakdown cover etc. I only use it about three times a week for local shopping and one journey from South to East London. I was already beginning to find it expensive due to the petrol costs and the loan repayment coming out every month and now things have got worse.

Anyway I received a letter from Nissan 2 weeks ago about a national recall to have the steering wheel fixed so I took it down to a Nissan garage in South Croydon. Whilst there they asked if I wanted to top up the oil as there was hardly any in the car and they thought there might be a leak. They asked if I had noticed any oil leaks on the driveway. I park my car on a road and at that time couldn't recall any oil being on the road where the car was parked. Now I have looked and there a small dark patches on the stretch of road where I park which I assume must be from my car.

They weren't able to find the leak on the day as they said the whole underneath of the car was covered in engine oil and they would have to hoist the car up and wash it and then find the leak. Anyway I took the car back to Nissan yesterday so they could have a proper look at it and have now been told they have to remove the gear box and it is going to be an 8 hour job costing £860! I don't have this money and am already struggling to keep up the loan repayments. Do I have any right to go back to the original dealer and get them to fix it even though I am now past the three month warranty they gave me. Any advice appreciating as I have been desperate for a car since passing my test 20 years ago and now am beginning to regret my decision.

[OwlCapone]

Try an independent garage instead.

I suspect you'd have no luck with the dealer TBH.

[OwlCapone]

Also, an independent garage will probably be cheaper. If it's South Croydon you're looking at, friends recommend B&W on the Brighton Road to me.

[upupupandaway]

Never buy a car with such a short warranty. You paid well over the odds too I'm sorry to say.
Agree an independent garage. The oil might have been low but it is worth getting a second opinion as to whether there really is oil leaking. They might be pulling a fast one.
It's always a gamble when buying a second hand car, but we live and learn.

[Milliemann]

Thanks. I live in Carshalton though South Croydon is not far at all. Nissan have said that the repairs will be guaranteed for a year. I am worried that I could pay half the price for repair at an independent and then six months down the line have to pay again.

[upupupandaway]

Make sure there really is a leak first. Also a good independent garage will guarantee their work.
Had a new timing belt fitted for a third of the cost Renault wanted to charge. The work was done to a high standard, work was out sourced to a specialist. ( they only do timing belts) No problems.

[OwlCapone]

I would monitor the oil loss I think. My first car had a persistent oil leak and we never tracked it down. It was never leaking enough to be an issue.

As you know it is now full, check it regularly and see how quickly it drops, also keep an eye on what you can see where you've parked the car. At the same time, save some money for any potential repairs.

[Collaborate]

Low mileage on a car that age is a recipe for trouble. Suggests a history of short journeys in which the engine never gets up to a proper temperature, causing a great deal or wear.

[firesidechat]

I was just about to say that too Collaborate. It suggests too many short journeys and it wouldn't have done the car much good at all.

I'm currently looking for a car of a similar age and 26,000 miles is very low for that age. It also looks as if the OP is using it in a similar way to the previous owner.

[specialsubject]

while this is not at all good, did you really not check the oil level over 4 months???

[Bramshott]

Main dealer garages like perfect cars . I never take mine anywhere near one as I know they would tell me there is £000s worth of work that NEEDS doing. My local independent servicing man keeps it running fine and I know it won't be worth anything when I've done with it (it's a 56 plate).

[bigdog888]

Find a recommended local independent garage. The Nissan main dealer will bend you over. It's worth asking the independent garage to diagnose the issue and then go back to the supplying dealer and see what they say. Obviously SOGA applies to a purchase from a dealer and in your case you paid strong money for a low mileage car in good condition - this is in your favour.

[Namechangearoonie123]

I wouldn't bother fixing it. Just check your oil every week.

If you haven't checked your oil and it took 4 months to become low on oil it's only going to cost you £8 every 4 months for oil if it doesn't get worse.

[threepiecesuite]

05 reg? That seems a high price to pay for a car that is 9 years old.

[HauntedNoddyCar]

That rate will mostly be labour. Main dealers are not the right place for a 9 year old Micra.

I agree that you've paid over the odds before you factor in the interest but that can't be undone now.

If you haven't been monitoring the oil use then you need to do that to see whether it is a problem or just something you need to keep topped up. Don't get it fixed until you know what the situation really is and don't pay top whack to Nissan.

[Milliemann]

I know I have paid over the odds but was too wary of using auto trader so thought a dealer would be more reliable. I think I will monitor the oil for a while and see if I can get an independent dealer around here to give me a quote. Thanks for all your replies.

[GalaxyInMyPants]

Just check your oil every other week and top up when needed. Will be a lot cheaper.