BMW major cock up - where do I stand ? M coupe.

J

Jamster1

Member
 Glasgow
Hi ..let me put my scenario to you guys , I appreciate any advice.

I'm due an inspection 1 on my 07 "M"coupe ..in 2000 miles according to my computer.

Today I decided to have a look at my service schedule .....

To clarify , the car was bought from a main BMW dealership ( I shall not name at this stage ) with 29k on the clock and with the standard 1 year warrenty . It was purchased in September last year.

The car had its 1200 service at 1800.

It had an oil service at 12000 IN AUGUST 2008.

It's not had any service what so ever since . I have since learned that the car should be serviced every 2 years regardless of milage , therefore the car should have been serviced in August 2010... It wasn't .

The BMW dealership sold me the car in september 2011 at a time when the car was over due a service by 1 year .

I now have an m sport car which has not been serviced for nearly 4 years!

I understand BMW do not trade cars which do not have full BMW service history , so I assume the car was sold with "full service history"..... Which it clearly didn't have .

You may think I'm mad posting this on a forum and informing everyone about my cars history but I am genuinely wondering if I have grounds to ask for my money back .

Another dealership has informed me that my main dealership warrenty is now void and I have a car which no one will ever buy privately . It was a long distance sale , but I was assured that everything was staight with the car and I believed this , as you would buying from a main dealer , this is why I paid a premium over a private sale.

Spoke to the dealer today , their suggestion was to get the inspection 1 done ASAP and that's it .

I explained this wasn't good enough mentioning my points above and the fact that I'm basically lumbered with this car now and unlikely to be excepted for any future warrenty claim or able to renew my warrenty policy.

Where do I stand ? Can BMW sell a car in that state ?

Cheers
 
Jamster1 said:
You may think I'm mad posting this on a forum and informing everyone about my cars history but I am genuinely wondering if I have grounds to ask for my money back.
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I do indeed think you're mad. Mad for not checking the service book before taking delivery. However, I really hope you can get a satisfactory outcome from this. A lesson to us all - assume nothing, whether buying privately or from a dealer.
 
Caveat emptor - buyer beware.

Really gutted for you mate. Hope you get it sorted. A reputable dealer should not have done that IMO
 
I'm sorry to say that this is where my general cynicism of dealers comes in handy, as I will ferret through the service history and over a car before I buy it, and will happily walk if the car/salesman/dealer doesn't seem 100%.

Out of interest, what mileage is on it now?

First port of call would be to check with BMW Customer Services (on the £1/min line) to see if it's had any other dealer visits between the 12,000 mile oil service and the 29,000 mile purchase. It might be a simple omission on the service booklet and an incorrectly reset service indicator (not saying it is, but these things do happen).

It 'could' be that it's been done and not recorded, as an inspection 1 would have been due at about 27,000 miles whether it was a year late or not and the dealer wouldn't/shouldn't have bought it.

If it wasn't done, then the dealer knew this, then you may have some comeback, but it may require legal action to do so.

I'd start penning a letter to the dealer principle of the franchised dealership, and possibly send a copy to BMW GB, stating what's happened and what you expect them to do to rectify this situation. It doesn't mean anything will be done, but at least you've corresponded with the dealer in an effort to resolve the issue before taking legal action.

The other option would be to 'accidentally' drive it through their showroom window and write it off so that you get your money back (that was a joke BTW).
 
mmm-five said:
I'm sorry to say that this is where my general cynicism of dealers comes in handy, as I will ferret through the service history and over a car before I buy it, and will happily walk if the car/salesman/dealer doesn't seem 100%.

Out of interest, what mileage is on it now?

First port of call would be to check with BMW Customer Services (on the £1/min line) to see if it's had any other dealer visits between the 12,000 mile oil service and the 29,000 mile purchase. It might be a simple omission on the service booklet and an incorrectly reset service indicator (not saying it is, but these things do happen).

It 'could' be that it's been done and not recorded, as an inspection 1 would have been due at about 27,000 miles whether it was a year late or not and the dealer wouldn't/shouldn't have bought it.

If it wasn't done, then the dealer knew this, then you may have some comeback, but it may require legal action to do so.

I'd start penning a letter to the dealer principle of the franchised dealership, and possibly send a copy to BMW GB, stating what's happened and what you expect them to do to rectify this situation. It doesn't mean anything will be done, but at least you've corresponded with the dealer in an effort to resolve the issue before taking legal action.

The other option would be to 'accidentally' drive it through their showroom window and write it off so that you get your money back (that was a joke BTW).
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M5 is spot on :thumbsup:

When I purchased my M coupe , before I purchased it, me and the buyer spent almost 3 days tracking down the "run in service" which is critical, as it was not stamped in the service book which was a deal breaker if not found.

Anyway few days later we track it down thank god and I have since sent my service book off and now have the paper work and stamp so very happy so it may just not have been stamped?

But the guy I bought it off form a very reputable car dealer did not check this and the guy was completely unaware , thankfully "we" track it down t a very helpful dealer :thumbsup:
 
Wont be the first time BMW sell a car which hasnt been serviced to their own standards.
I only phoned up about one about 3 weeks ago (3.0Si Coupe) that had come up on AUC at my local BMW dealer.
It was low mileage (15k) and a 57 plate but it had only had 1 service in late 2011 so 3 years from new, they were still selling it as AUC though and it must now be sold as i noticed it had disappeared from the AUC website just today.

As for yours i can see it being mighty difficult to get your money back if you so desire and as you say the price of yours will now be worth less or at the least will make it harder for you to sell in future.
 
If the previous service was 12k, you bought at 29k, and the car is now (I'm guessing) at around 32k... then your service indicator should not be showing 2k until the next service. I've never heard of this engine going 22k miles before requiring a service.

As such, I wonder whether another service has been performed at some point. Otherwise, there's something just not quite right here...
 
Last service was 12000. I have now done 33500 and indicator showing 2500 till inspection 1 .

Last stamp in book was August 2008 , an oil service (12000)

I'll have a better read over responses tomorrow guys , off to bed for now .

Cheers .
 
There's something funny going on there, even driving like a granny, there's just no way that an ///M can go almost 24k miles between services.

It seems more likely that an unrecorded Insp1 has been done and the service indicator has been restarted rather than recorded and reset.
 
Daffy said:
There's something funny going on there, even driving like a granny, there's just no way that an ///M can go almost 24k miles between services.

It seems more likely that an unrecorded Insp1 has been done and the service indicator has been restarted rather than recorded and reset.
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This is what I was thinking :thumbsup:
 
Sorry to hear your problems. I bought my M from a BMW dealer and they had omitted to stamp the Insp I in the book and spotted as like Mmm five I don't trust them any more than a private seller and always check. They rectified it but it would have been difficult a year later.

I suggest you start with the standard customer service approach. Email the MD of the franchise with a clearly visible cc to BMW customer services. Be courteous and clear at this stage, spell out your concerns and your explicit expectations of buying an AUC car with a full service record and warranty. State this is a key reason that led you to purchase from a BMW dealership and not privately and pay the premium in doing so. Also state the salesmans name (if you have it) and the accurate facts such as date purchased, service book data, etc.Then state very clearly what you expect them to do to rectify the situation so that you get a satisfactory outcome and don't need to take the matter further. Close by stating you expect a reply within 7 working days. Set it all in a firm but courteous tone. I would mention you are a member of a large BMW forum and have sought advice from other members on this matter. Then go from there.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
I had a very similar problem as my first ///M had not been serviced for 32 months but noticed the second day and so let rip at the dealer as they had said service history was 100%. They took the car back as I pointed out the warranty was void. They offered various options but none I accepted.

You have had yours six months or so, so don't know where you stand but would suggest you phone the number as already mentioned.


If you have an Intravee fitted you can pull off all the service history info with the latest firmware I believe.

Bottom line, no matter what anybody says AUC means nothing, is down to dealer discretion, and as we know they will get away with what they can.
 
Well, as others have said, it is possible that it was serviced and not stamped ... When I bought my Silver Grey (at 3 years old)... the book had no service stamp, but the owner had the service receipt showing it was done, where it was done, and what was done. It just had not been stamped.

Having said all that, I think people worry too much about the timing of servicing ... it is only an extra 18 months, and all we are really talking about is an oil change ... and given modern oils ... I think it is unlikely that any damage has been done. People snap onto this because it is the one thing that CAN be checked ... but there are a myriad of other things that could be far worse with a car ... things that you cannot check ... like did someone put cheapie low octane petrol into the tank, did water get into the tank?, did they run it on empty???, did they rev it like mad when it was new (in the first 2000km), did they crash it propa??, did they leave it parked by the seaside for 6 months, etc etc etc

If it was me, I'd prolly make a fuss ... maybe get a free service out of them if it was actually missing ... but if it goes OK, I probably wouldn't worry too much. Others may differ.
 
krusty said:
Well, as others have said, it is possible that it was serviced and not stamped ... When I bought my Silver Grey (at 3 years old)... the book had no service stamp, but the owner had the service receipt showing it was done, where it was done, and what was done. It just had not been stamped.

Having said all that, I think people worry too much about the timing of servicing ... it is only an extra 18 months, and all we are really talking about is an oil change ... and given modern oils ... I think it is unlikely that any damage has been done. People snap onto this because it is the one thing that CAN be checked ... but there are a myriad of other things that could be far worse with a car ... things that you cannot check ... like did someone put cheapie low octane petrol into the tank, did water get into the tank?, did they run it on empty???, did they rev it like mad when it was new (in the first 2000km), did they crash it propa??, did they leave it parked by the seaside for 6 months, etc etc etc

If it was me, I'd prolly make a fuss ... maybe get a free service out of them if it was actually missing ... but if it goes OK, I probably wouldn't worry too much. Others may differ.
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Oil degrades over time whether it's used or not, so even with a 'long life' oil you will still require 'regular' oil changes - and that's why BMW specify the 2 year timeframe.

The issue is that your warranty may be void by this 'little' error - which could mean BMW not paying out on a £14k engine bill. Would you want to risk that for the sake of a £200 oil service.
 
Daffy said:
It seems more likely that an unrecorded Insp1 has been done and the service indicator has been restarted rather than recorded and reset.
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Restarted? Is that really possible? To what end? It would explain things, but I'm curious about why anyone would want to do a restart instead of a reset.

Here's my theory. 12000 service at 1 year is considered a supplemental service, so SIA, still callng for service in 6000 miles is not reset. 1st Oil Service is then called for at around 18000, SIA is now reset. This is sometime 2009. 2011 rolls around, 2 year supplemental oil service is due, SIA shows 10000 miles to Insp 1, so SIA not reset. You buy the car. Everything's fine, just not recorded. Best case scenario.

Worst case scenario. Starts the same way. 1st Oil Service is called for at around 18000. Owner says bollocks, I just did an oil change, and resets the SIA with no service. Nothing else happens. You buy the car, it's missing one required oil service and one supplemental 2 year service, you worst fear, and the Insp 1 at 36000 is now explained. Or maybe one or the other was done and not recorded. No way to know without full service history.

Sounds like their 'full service history' meant all the work done was documented, not all the required work was done and documented! Your car is probably fine, despite the possible neglect. Your main problem is getting warranty coverage and being able to sell it on when you're ready to.
 
Thank you for your responses , I spoke to a neighbour today who has given me a good contact at customer service.

I'll see what the dealer comes back with tomorrow .

If its a genuine cock up and the car has not been serviced and basically mis sold to me , can I ask what you would accept as a suitable outcome ?

The thing that is really getting to me is that I didn't plan to keep the car for any massive length of time , I was planning on selling with a few months warrenty left for ease of sale ....this has really messed things up .

I plan to ask them if they will still accept the car as a trade in , if my warrenty is still intact and if they would issue a further warrenty this year given the circumstances ...this should give me a fair indication of how serious a problem they think the servicing schedule has been and if THEY won't accept the car as a trade in , why the f@&k should I accept it as a customer ?

Keep you posted , I expect I'll have to chase them up tomorrow no doubt . :x
 
The warranty is your major issue if it's not been serviced, the dealer will say it's fine, but phone the warranty number and explain the situation, it's what I did and they advised that they would not cover for warranty purposes. My dealer then offered two years warranty which of course meant they would cover all costs if there was a problem. I'm sure it would have been fine, but I declined their offer. They also stated they would buy the car back at any time, but I did not want to be tied to them.

The fact they sold you the car means they have no reason to take it back as they obviously see the car as being saleable.
 
If you've owned it 7 months and were planning to sell it "with a few months warranty remaining" then I assume you're planning to sell fairly soon.

In that case, I'd be pushing for the dealer to take it back off you at the price you paid. Failing that, I'd push for them to take it back minus a token amount of depreciation... say £1k.

At the end of the day, they've sold you a car that effectively has no warranty and for which you may not be able to get a warranty in the future. That's not part of the AUC deal and, therefore, they have failed to meet their end of the deal IMO.

Keep us posted and good luck.
 
I think if you were sold the car as one of their 'approved used vehicles' (sounds like it) then that's just what it should be and that should include full SH according to their specs- you bought it on this understanding - they pride themselves on this when they boast about 'approved vehicles' so I do think you have grounds for come-back. There is no way you should be in the situation that you have a car for which the warranty is considered 'void' in the eyes of another dealer- they both can't be right - if the dealer you bought it from says its all good then they should not mind giving you some proof of this- I'd ask for a headed letter stating this.
Best of luck
 
Spoke to sales manager at said dealership today .

He made some enquiries into the history of the car ..

According to him when the car was in northern Ireland ( previous dealer ) , it had its inspection 1 service in march 2010 and has not been stamped in the book .

He reckons the service indicator which shows "2500 till inspection " will either be an oil service or an inspection 2 ????

Surely the indicator would have been reset if an inspection service was completed and correct me if I'm wrong but 32k is a little early for inspection 2 ?

I'm calling the dealer in Ireland tomorrow with chassis number to get details for myself , the dealer I bought from has said its just a case of sending the service book to them and they will update it accordingly .

Meanwhile I'm left with my trip computer showing 2500 till inspection service , but I'm not actually sure what service ?

Where should I go from here ? Will my local dealer be able to look at my computer and sort things out for me ?

PITA


Thanks .
 
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