I am currently working in the south of France as a house and pet sitter mainly for expats living…read moreabroad while they go on their holiday or family visits. I needed a reliable car and one that can do the extensive mileage and cope with different terrains around France, Spain and Portugal where I am mainly interested in working. This 'sitting' service is based solely on TRUST between the owner and the sitter, no legal contract or payment takes place. One's word is enough.I purchased a BMW X3 2.5 SE, reg AR04GKZ, from WEST COUNTRY VALUE CARS LTD on the 25 April 2017. This vehicle was sold having received a new MOT, service and company own 'health check'. At the time of purchase, I informed the dealer that I was buying this car for an extensive working road trip in France and Spain and I expected the highest standard of inspection and works to be carried out so as to reduce the possibility of having to claim under the 6 month mechanical warranty they included. They assured me that I had nothing to worry about and it would be in 'tip top' condition. This car was advertised as 'outstanding'. The warranty states... SOLD WITH 6 MONTHS OR 6,000 MILES WARRANTY, WHICHEVER SOONEST, ON ALL MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ENGINE, GEARBOX, FRONT AND REAR AXLES. 100% PARTS AND LABOUR .AS BEING ACROSS EUROPE, WVC LTD WILL CONTINUE THE WARRANTY TERMS, PAYING THE EQUIVALENT VALUE AS BEING REPAIRED LOCALLY. On the 2 May 2017, I returned the car with multiple issues for them to resolve under the warranty. These included the wheels being out of balance and tracking adjustment, engine juddering when de-accelerating, multiple bulbs missing on car, parking detector system not working and handbrake not adjusted properly. (The mechanical works are carried out by Paul Richards Motors, on behalf of WVC. Tel: 01404 42299, Footprint Place, Duchy Rd, Heathpark Ind Est, Honiton, Devon, EX14 1YD).These works were said to have carried out and rectified by the garage and I received the car back on the 5th May 2017. I travelled through France from the 9th May to the 14th May inclusive arriving some 900 miles later at Lacoste, Languedoc. On the 11th May, I telephoned Stuart at WVC to report that the car had the same mechanical problems as before and in addition, there was now a clanging sound coming from under the car. He said he would make investigations with Paul Richards Motors and to call back. I called back, spoke to James and told him I couldn't let this rest and I needed the reassurance of a garage inspection here in France. He agreed and upon received the French garages report , they would decide on the way forward. I took the car to a reputable local garage nearby and received their report, which states as follows.
- Adjustment or replacement of the parking brake (see after disassembly)
- Balancing front and rear wheels
- Exchange of the thermal plate of the front right and left discs
- Oil leak on the oil sump and spi joint on the flywheel side and exchange of the timing belt
- Sealing expansion vessel (O-ring hose + probe if details)
- Replacing front and rear left and right suspension arms
- Significant corrosion on rear axle and deck + linking
Motor fault:
- Defective control of the cartographic thermostat
- ESP fault
- Faulty steering angle sensor
- Defective rotational speed sensor
- Transversal acceleration sensor plausibility
On seeing this list, I saw on the WVC website that they had almost exactly the same model and year of car on the forecourt and proposed a straight swap over here in France so they could return the car and resolve the issues between the two companies and keep me out their own dispute . The new car costs £500 more than mine and I suggested this was a little compensation for my continuing troubles with the car they had promised " I could be completely confident about on my travels". This is their reply.
On Fri, 19 May 2017 at 17:12, Sales WVC
sales@wvcltd.co.uk wrote:
Good afternoon Richard
Having seen the list of suggested faults on the vehicle and showing this to Paul Richards, he feels this is an unsubstantiated accusation and all the work carried out, he insists was done to the highest standard.
Therefore, I have been instructed to ask that that when you return to England, the vehicle must go back to Paul Richards Motors in order to establish, diagnose and repair if necessary any of the claimed faults should liability be admitted..
Your suggestion of swapping for a more expensive vehicle with free delivery to France can not be accepted because obviously we have not had a chance to inspect or repair, and the issues claimed are being vigorously defended by Paul Richards Motors, who are a member of the good garage scheme. I feel it necessary to say that an English person taking a German vehicle into a unknown french garage is only going to result in an attempt to extract as much money as possible from you.
