MOT Fail! Lower Suspension Arm Bushings

[tsedge]

Ok, now been told they need the car all day tomorrow, so I will have to hope a courtesy car is available.

I have emailed to check but I don't typically get a reply same day. (generally impossible to call in, never get through and promises I will be called back almost never happen).

You know, MG UK, I know you are watching, the one thing you can do that would really help service is to ensure that there's good communication between dealer and customer, if I could get a reply within an hour or two and have more than a terse one-liner, that would make a big difference.

I don't care how you provide that - stick it in the app and record / monitor sessions if you want - but it would make a world of difference.

I realise it gets busy in a service department, but the customers are booked in advance and I can't really see the excuse for your dealers not providing proactive rapid responses to enquiries - I am ok with "can't confirm that yet" or "waiting for the parts to come in".

 

[tsedge]

Ah ha, a quick reply, that was a misunderstanding, so I am all set for a while-u-wait appointment tomorrow morning for 2-3 hours. I'll post here as soon as everything is sorted, which I finally feel confident it will be.

 

[Everest]

which I finally feel confident it will be

Shhh

 

[tsedge]

All done. While I was waiting there was another customer having both lower arms replaced, so it is clearly a common failure (I don't know which model of MG they had).

I would recommend people check their front lower arm bushings early in the run up to the 3 year service to get them done if there's a problem. Beyond 3 years or 45,000 miles it is not covered by the warranty.

You can check them yourself if you turn the suspension full lock and can get under the car - my video above shows the problem you are looking for. The bushing should neatly fit the joint with no folding, tearing or apparent collapse.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

They do them in pairs so one customer has his taken off and cleaned then put on the second and vice versa. Edit : not a legally binding comment !

 

[tsedge]

I did receive an apology from the service manager and the attitude of the advisor was far better today.

He explained that they have simply been swamped with sales and service - the site is absolutely full with double parking everywhere and no space for customers to park except blocking others in.

He said they were running just to keep up, behind with training on new vehicles and this was why things were falling through the cracks.

 

[jamakr4]

I did receive an apology from the service manager and the attitude of the advisor was far better today.

He explained that they have simply been swamped with sales and service - the site is absolutely full with double parking everywhere and no space for customers to park except blocking others in.

He said they were running just to keep up, behind with training on new vehicles and this was why things were falling through the cracks.

At least something, but still a rather unpleasant experience as a customer. Hope this was the last repair for your MG4 for some time.

 

[tsedge]

Yes indeed. We will be changing the car anyway in March 2027, so hopefully this will be an uneventful year.

 

[jamakr4]

Yes indeed. We will be changing the car anyway in March 2027, so hopefully this will be an uneventful year.

Getting another MG or something different?

 

[MG Clive]

Getting another MG or something different?

The Jury is probably still out on that one.

 

[LenEV2016]

I did receive an apology from the service manager and the attitude of the advisor was far better today.

He explained that they have simply been swamped with sales and service - the site is absolutely full with double parking everywhere and no space for customers to park except blocking others in.

He said they were running just to keep up, behind with training on new vehicles and this was why things were falling through the cracks.

Poor excuse to be fair

 

[tsedge]

Getting another MG or something different?

Not sure what the plan is yet to be honest.

Have a Golf Diesel I want to replace with a secondhand EV. MGs are by far the best value, but I am seeing if I can stretch to an ID.3 or a Born. I do like VWs and came from them before going to MG.

With our MG4, the logical thing to replace it with would be the MGS5/S6, but with our experiences with MG after-sales and general reliability, we'll likely look at a much wider range of cars. Not impossible that we'd get another MG, because the value is so good, but I'd say unlikely at this point.

 

[tsedge]

Poor excuse to be fair

Yes, although it does seem to be an honest one. I think they are just overwhelmed, as (probably) are lots of dealers with the dramatic expansion of MG sales. My dealer badly needs a much bigger site, there is no option to expand where they are. It is 1/4 the size of the local VW dealership.

Something to bear in mind for those joining the brand... eventually MG dealers will adjust to their sales volumes, but it can take years to sort out.

 

[jamakr4]

Not sure what the plan is yet to be honest.

Have a Golf Diesel I want to replace with a secondhand EV. MGs are by far the best value, but I am seeing if I can stretch to an ID.3 or a Born. I do like VWs and came from them before going to MG.

With our MG4, the logical thing to replace it with would be the MGS5/S6, but with our experiences with MG after-sales and general reliability, we'll likely look at a much wider range of cars. Not impossible that we'd get another MG, because the value is so good, but I'd say unlikely at this point.

Totally get it.. Maybe have a look at the new ID polo / Cupra Raval when they are out. The EV3 also seems to be great value IMO.

 

[WigglePig]

That sounds like a different issue. Mine is bushing wear, not "debonded" and isn't covered under warranty (as is a wear and tear item).

Edit: Just checked the warranty and shown it to the service guys - Bushes are covered up to 3 years and 45,000 miles, so it should be covered. I've asked that both be sorted under warranty. The service guy said they will be asked for photos, details and they will "try" - but the warranty seems unambiguous to me (attached below).

I get the feeling this isn't going to be straightforward. There was lots of trying to set the expectation it would be loads of work to make the claim with MG and they might deny it etc... Which isn't my problem!

You can see in the video that the rubber is coming away from the bushing casement so it's definitely a debonding issue; the commentator even mentions "peeling" on the one that is less bad.

 

[tsedge]

You can see in the video that the rubber is coming away from the bushing casement so it's definitely a debonding issue; the commentator even mentions "peeling" on the one that is less bad.

Ok, maybe I don't understand what "debonding" is then. Mine was listed as "bush excessively worn". Possibly that's just the available MOT category they can use?

 

[tsedge]

Addendum: MG UK customer services have decided to investigate my woes. I'm waiting to hear back if I'll be offered anything to make up for the service I have received. I will let you know.