Trying to reject vehicle - any advice please? And should I get another one?

[JoanneMatheson]

Hi, I'm looking for some advice or guidance. I purchased a 2020 plate MG ZS EV three months ago. During the purchase I was repeatedly told by the salesperson that one of the great things about the vehicle was that it had all of its remaining manufacturer's warranty. I made it clear, repeatedly, that since the dealership was a long way from home, I wanted to make sure that everything was in order so that I could take the vehicle to my local dealership for servicing and maintenance, and was assured that this was the case. About a month after I got it the wing mirrors stopped retracting when the car was locked, not a big issue, but annoying. I took it to my local dealership to book it in, and they advised me that I'd have to pay for any repairs because the warranty was void due to incomplete service history. Long story short, the original dealership gave me an additional 2-year warranty as "a gesture of goodwill", but stated that I would probably need to bring the vehicle to them if anything went wrong. I told them I really wasn't happy about that, but accepted it, and hoped there wouldn't be any more issues - big mistake! Not only did the wing mirrors keep failing, I've had various problems with the parking brake, and last week it started rolling down my drive in circumstances where I could have been seriously injured, but ultimately only did damage to the vehicle. I spent a whole day at the dealership last week, during which they assured me the wing mirrors had been fixed, told me they couldn't find anything wrong with the brakes and therefore couldn't do anything about it, and refused to consider taking the vehicle back and giving me a full refund. The wing mirrors failed again on my second stop on the way home. I don't feel particularly safe driving a car I know has braking issues. I only discovered that there were any problems after the 30 day Consumer Rights Act return time. My original intention was, if I can persuade them to refund me an acceptable amount, I'll go to my local dealership and buy another one, but now I'm reading lots of concerns about MG warranties being rubbish, and MG UK being completely unhelpful, and lots of other brake issues, so I'm wondering about the wisdom of buying another. Any advice, input or suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

 

[johnb80]

It sounds like a dreadful situation and one that I'm unwittingly getting dragged into too. I would suggest you contact citizens advice and/or trading standards to see what your options are.

Here's my wonderful ongoing situation:-
"I'm in a bit of a fix at the moment"

 

[JoanneMatheson]

It sounds like a dreadful situation and one that I'm unwittingly getting dragged into too. I would suggest you contact citizens advice and/or trading standards to see what your options are.

Here's my wonderful ongoing situation:-
"I'm in a bit of a fix at the moment"

Thanks for contact, don't like the sound of your situation either, but warranty/support lack there of sounds similar. I'm planning to try and contact the Ombudsman for advice today. Keep me posted.

 

[johnb80]

MG UK are adept at finding ways out of warranty claims, my case which youve seen is a prime example. The dealer reached agreement with MG that if they fully serviced the car again that MG would confirm to me in writing that my warranty is still valid.

Guess what...... they wont!

Do you have it in writing or in a listing that there's the balance of manufacturers warranty? Generally if it's not written it was never said, it makes it a lot more difficult.

A complete contrast, my other EV - a 2017 BMW i3 is out of extended warranty in both age and mileage. There was an issue with water ingress into the drivers door which trashed the electric window equipment motor, module etc. A new wiring harness was needed along with several components, total cost including labour £3150. I had to pay it but the dealer contacted BMW to see if they would make contribution. BMW without argument paid for all the parts and the dealer paid the labour, absolute result. Then I experience MG..... my first and last time with MG UK.

 

[JoanneMatheson]

MG UK are adept at finding ways out of warranty claims, my case which youve seen is a prime example. The dealer reached agreement with MG that if they fully serviced the car again that MG would confirm to me in writing that my warranty is still valid.

Guess what...... they wont!

Do you have it in writing or in a listing that there's the balance of manufacturers warranty? Generally if it's not written it was never said, it makes it a lot more difficult.

A complete contrast, my other EV - a 2017 BMW i3 is out of extended warranty in both age and mileage. There was an issue with water ingress into the drivers door which trashed the electric window equipment motor, module etc. A new wiring harness was needed along with several components, total cost including labour £3150. I had to pay it but the dealer contacted BMW to see if they would make contribution. BMW without argument paid for all the parts and the dealer paid the labour, absolute result. Then I experience MG..... my first and last time with MG UK.

Well that's interesting, I used to be an absolute die-hard BMW fan and wouldn't drive anything else for years. Then when they changed to the 'new' design, it just wasn't the same any more and the support just didn't feel as good. I was just thinking this afternoon that perhaps I should look at them again! Certainly not keen on replacing with another MG after this.

Unfortunately I don't have it in writing, but I had two different people with me who heard it said, on two separate occasions. Also, I suspect that's why they extended the warranty. Anyway, we shall see. I've submitted a complaint and requested that they reconsider giving me a full refund. I now have 'evidence' of the parking brake failing to disengage, with a photo. I have to give them 5 days to respond to the complaint, after that I'll contact the Ombudsman.

 

[Tim Green]

Yours is a difficult case to advise on. I have a similar car, bought from new, so now 6 years on and it has been fault free. That is unusual for any car. However, there have been some instances when I thought there was fault, but it was me! For instance, if you try to use the car with the front driver door not fully shut, it throws up oddities like the handbrake not working. Also the wing mirrors won't fold in if the setting on the control knob is incorrect. So you may have experienced real faults -but maybe not! Some of these issues are due to EV's being very reliant on software which has not been fully tested and developed. I suppose my advice would be to stick with it for a while but if you don't get on with it sell it to one of those buy any car sites and accept the hit.

 

[Roger]

Well that's interesting, I used to be an absolute die-hard BMW fan and wouldn't drive anything else for years. Then when they changed to the 'new' design, it just wasn't the same any more and the support just didn't feel as good. I was just thinking this afternoon that perhaps I should look at them again! Certainly not keen on replacing with another MG after this.

Unfortunately I don't have it in writing, but I had two different people with me who heard it said, on two separate occasions. Also, I suspect that's why they extended the warranty. Anyway, we shall see. I've submitted a complaint and requested that they reconsider giving me a full refund. I now have 'evidence' of the parking brake failing to disengage, with a photo. I have to give them 5 days to respond to the complaint, after that I'll contact the Ombudsman.

I’m sorry to hear of your car problem. I purchased my MG ZS EV in March 2020 and have been very pleased with it. However last year the drivers seat base cushion started to split and so I returned it to Glyn Hopkin in North London where I expected them to repair/replace the faulty seat. Knowing it was out of warranty I explained as follows, see extract below:-

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes it an implied term of the contract I have with Glyn
Hopkin Ltd that goods be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality.
As you are in breach of contract and I have owned the vehicle for less than 6 years, I am
within my statutory rights to ask for a repair at no further cost to me.

Glyn Hopkin replied stating the car was out of warranty which completely (and possibly deliberately) avoided addressing my letter because I had stated I knew it was outside their warranty for such matters. I wrote several letters repeating my explanation only to receive negative responses including MG UK will not approve this repair and they kindly included an estimate should I want them to effect a repair!

Fortunately when placing my order for the car I paid a deposit using my credit card and so I made a claim under section 75. This was successful and I couldn’t be more grateful to Barclaycard for their professional help.

Further information: I’ve been driving for 58 years, have owned 29 cars, some old bangers as well as top of the range luxury models. I am not overweight. Never have I experienced a seat splitting!

When I took the car to an excellent local car upholstery company, Tiggy Design in Leatherhead, Surrey, they told me they’ve had loads of these seats in for repair and showed me an identical seat to mine with exactly the same splits

My suggestion to you is to speak with your credit card company in order to seek their advice. That assumes you made a payment or part payment by credit card. Good luck!

 

[Gadget Geek]

I pay for everything now with my Amazon Barclay card. I pay the balance off each month and get cash back on purchases along with the Section 75 protection.

 

[Rob24]

There is a joke about a tourist asking a local for directions and the local says " you shouldn't be starting from here"

Your case is not funny but you started at the wrong place, instead of proving it was in warranty as soon as you got it home you left it too long and now it's your word against theirs.

No help to you and to rub salt into your wound, I would get another MG but I have had a good experience with them.
In your shoes I might the same as you.

Hope it all works out for you.

Rob

 

[Tid]

Problem with a used car
Website worth a look. They have a consumer helpline as well: 0808 223 1133

 

[JoanneMatheson]

I’m sorry to hear of your car problem. I purchased my MG ZS EV in March 2020 and have been very pleased with it. However last year the drivers seat base cushion started to split and so I returned it to Glyn Hopkin in North London where I expected them to repair/replace the faulty seat. Knowing it was out of warranty I explained as follows, see extract below:-

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes it an implied term of the contract I have with Glyn
Hopkin Ltd that goods be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality.
As you are in breach of contract and I have owned the vehicle for less than 6 years, I am
within my statutory rights to ask for a repair at no further cost to me.

Glyn Hopkin replied stating the car was out of warranty which completely (and possibly deliberately) avoided addressing my letter because I had stated I knew it was outside their warranty for such matters. I wrote several letters repeating my explanation only to receive negative responses including MG UK will not approve this repair and they kindly included an estimate should I want them to effect a repair!

Fortunately when placing my order for the car I paid a deposit using my credit card and so I made a claim under section 75. This was successful and I couldn’t be more grateful to Barclaycard for their professional help.

Further information: I’ve been driving for 58 years, have owned 29 cars, some old bangers as well as top of the range luxury models. I am not overweight. Never have I experienced a seat splitting!

When I took the car to an excellent local car upholstery company, Tiggy Design in Leatherhead, Surrey, they told me they’ve had loads of these seats in for repair and showed me an identical seat to mine with exactly the same splits

My suggestion to you is to speak with your credit card company in order to seek their advice. That assumes you made a payment or part payment by credit card. Good luck!

Really pleased you got a good outcome, yet another reason why I might change from MG EV if my situation gets settled.