29 replies to this topic

[tris]

i wouldnt alert the dvla/ vosa as thats a bit petty, but i would ring the past owner and garage and see what the score is, if worst comes to worst you could bribe them but... reporting is a bit far, thats only my view

best of luck and hope you get the car sorted

Thanks for the info peeps.

I'm just raging because I'm getting it in the neck from the wife as well. I am not anywhere near a mechanical person, if something goes wrong I pay someone to fix it. Though thats not saying I wouldn't give it a go, but I'm a bith loathe to start tinkering with the car, when I have nowhere to store it. I live in the city in a 3rd story flat. The car is parked on the road, really, I have no way of doing it myself.

I think this was just a perfect finish to an already perfect day

[Phaeton]

You don't actually say whether this was a private sale or from a garage. If it's private sale then I think you are out of luck trying to get anything from the previous owner if they don't want to help. Caveat Emptor springs to mind, Buyer Beware it was sold to you as seen, crap I know but that's life.

Alternatively if it was bought from a garage then trying to get them to do anything about it will also be difficult especially as you are so far away. They may say to you bring it back & we'll sort it, knowing that it will cost you as much to get it trailered down there as it would to get the head gasket done.

If the rear subframe is as bad as your mechanic friend says then I would talk to VOSA without a doubt, ask their advice as to the next action. Without being rude to your friend though, is he a mechanic or a MOT Tester? is he familiar working on Mini's what he considers dangerous, may not be at all.

But I do sympathise with you, it is a sick horrible feeling saving your money & spending it one something you think will be great only to be ripped off by some person with low morals.

Alan..

[Beddo88]

You may even be really lucky and be able to find someone on here who lives locally that could give you a hand? I picked up a second hand spare rear subby with all the running gear for £40 Bargain!! Obv provided you can find someone/somewhere to sort it.

Regarding the rear subby, mine was given an advisory on the corrosion, which is pretty obvious from looking. If it is the case that the subby is obviously corroded this should have been an advisory on the MOT sheet? Maybe something to mention to the garage

[tris]

Nope there were no advisories, I emailed the garage yesterday and had no response. They get one more before I go further.

Looks like I'm going to have to pay out for this one.

[jwb_moto]

I'd personally ring the garage rather than emailing them as its easy to ignore an email rather than a phone call. If they hang up on you, you know theyre dodgy and need reporting to VOSA.

[mattdc2r]

Agreed, give them a call.
I don't think reporting them to VOSA is petty, if they think it is acceptable to pass cars which are un roadworthy then they need investigating.

They could just say it was fine when it was with them for MOT.

You really need to get on your hands and knees and prepare to get a little dirty when buying a mini these days, checking in all the potential weak (rotten) areas, or take someone with you that's not wearing rose tinted spectacles and has an idea of what they are looking for.

[Nial]

Nope there were no advisories, I emailed the garage yesterday and had no response. They get one more before I go further.

Looks like I'm going to have to pay out for this one.

If you're paying for it take it to Clarke at Macdonald Minis in Wallyford...

http://www.mcdonald-...k/mainframe.htm

He knows his stuff and does a good honest job.

I've no affiliation by the way.

Nial.

[tris]

Well I got a phone call today, they seemed pleasant enough on the phone, they need photos of the problem parts because of the distance.

Fingers crossed.



And yes I am aware of the need to take someone along who knows a thing or two, but I don't know anyone like that, especially not one who would travel in a train for 8 hours with me.

Lesson learned.... the hard way.

[feybrand]

dont mean to sound arsey but why didnt you check the rear sub when you bought it isnt that one of the first things you check when you buy a mini
still shouldnt have got mot so report the garage anyway

[shorty]

how did u manage to get all the way from wales to scotland without any major disastors

well its good that the garage arent ignoring you and seem to want to help..what they do after the pictures have been sent may be another story though

[tris]

how did u manage to get all the way from wales to scotland without any major disastors

Pure luck and gaffa tape

Actually the mini overheated on the way, I pulled over let it cool down, topped the radiator up and kept my driving to within 60 year old driving parameters

Got the rest of the way fine but the mini stalled and wouldn't start about 100 metres from the flat. *sigh*

[tris]

W00T!

Got a quote from the mini specialist, comes to between £490 and £550, and the MOT garage said they would pay!

MOT fails were....

Rear subframe corroded
n/s rear radius arm knackered
metal fuel pipe corroded near sub frame
head gasket knackered.

seriously lucky to manage to get it back home....

[Ethel]

Great news, but get it in writing or, better, get them to book it in for the work in their own name.

[MK1]

Blimy thats a good result. Excellent news well done mate.

[rick.spi]

nice 1 buddy!