Nissan X Trail 2003 - Broken Cam Chain 2 weeks after purchase

Honest John Back Room » Legal matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Thu 8 Aug 2013 20:16
Nissan X Trail 2003 - Broken Cam Chain 2 weeks after purchase - Sars121

Hi,

If anyone can advise what my consumer rights I have it would be much appreciated.

Basically purchased a Nissan X Trail from a dealer, the car is 10 years old. Came with 3 month warranty but only up to a value of £1000.

Literally 2 weeks to the day of picking up the car the cam chain broke whilst on the A34. Obviously major damage and having spoken to the garage today very likely to need new engine.

We paid £4999 for this vehicle and it doesn't seem right that we could potentially have to pay thousands to put it right (it wouldn't be worth it)

Do I have a leg to stand on??

Perhaps you could clarify if a cam chain should be replaced on these vehicles at a certain mileage or should they last the life of a vehicle as I can't seem to find a definitive answer,

thanks

Sarah

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 9 Aug 2013 07:44
Nissan X Trail 2003 - Broken Cam Chain 2 weeks after purchase - Armitage Shanks {p}

The law is (SFAIK) that if there is a fault with a vehicle, within 6 months, it is up to the dealer to prove that it was not present at the point of sale. It is clear that the cam chain cannot have been broekn, at that tiem, as you drove the vehicle away'

Fuller details here http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/

Edited by Armitage Shanks {p} on 09/08/2013 at 07:46

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 9 Aug 2013 15:20
Nissan X Trail 2003 - Broken Cam Chain 2 weeks after purchase - pd

Timing chains are generally meant to last the life of the vehicle and are not normally replaced. However, they can and do sometimes fail or wear prematurely. The X-Trail is one such car which was knows for having such issues (to the extent it was called the "X-Fail" in some motor trade circles). It affects certain model years and I honestly can't remember whether yours falls into it or not.

You probably don't have two legs to stand on but possibly one leg unless it has done loads of miles. Two weeks for basically a complete engine failure on a retail priced car (if it was) and normally the dealer should and would take some responsibility even if it is offering a contribution towards repair.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

A guide to how much VED you will need to pay on your car.

Road Tax Bands and Rates