S O

In The End - Disappointed

I purchased a 55 plate Mini for my daughter from Selected Cars in May. It was new in stock so was not valeted when we first viewed and it was pointed out that the vehicle had a defective exhaust. Following a test drive I noted a noise from the rear of the car. We also found that the remote central locking was barely operating, there was a small piece of trim detached from a window and a legacy hands-free kit was fitted (which I agreed to having removed when asked if that was my preference). Also, there was a small paintwork blemish on the tailgate which I requested be resprayed and this was agreed, though it meant that there would be no further negotiation on the asking price. The car was rectified mechanically, the tailgate repaired and a new MOT obtained for collection on or around the agreed sale date. So far, all very good. However, when I collected the car, the remote central locking was still poor, the trim had not been re-fitted and the unwanted hands-free kit was still in-situ. The mechanic tried to refit the window trim but damaged it requiring a new part to be ordered and the car returned for fitting. It became apparent after purchase that the air conditioning was also not working. This had either not been picked up during the advertised 83 point pre-sale inspection or not indicated to me. My remote central locking also ceased to work within 2 days of getting the vehicle home so I raised both of these issues with the Salesman when I returned for the window trim. I was informed that the air conditioning would have to be rectified at my expense but that a question would be raised with a Mini specialist regarding the central locking and the answer passed to me. No such reply was received from Selected despite a follow up email from me. Then, after approx. 2 months the clutch system failed requiring an RAC callout. The RAC engineer was able to effect a temporary repair to what he detailed as a ‘corroded hydraulic clip’ but that the car required an immediate permanent repair and system bleed as air had entered the system. I called Selected Cars to have the repair completed under warranty, sent a copy of the RAC report to them and delivered the car to Inverness as instructed. However, I was told by Selected Cars after a 2 day inspection (at an independent garage) that the Clutch was not a Warranty item and was given a quote for £94 for repair. I was offered a 20% ‘gesture of goodwill’ which I declined, recovered the car and had the repair carried out locally. I feel overall that the after-sales service on this purchase has not been to a standard I would expect and have contacted the Selected salesman to air my grievances. Regarding the remote central locking and air conditioning it was inferred in his response that it is unreasonable to expect these systems to be checked/working/repaired on older vehicles: “We can not however prepare cars for the few customers who think the car should behave as new, especially when it comes to cosmetic and or convenience/luxury items which come under routine maintenance.” Perhaps my expectations are too high? I certainly don’t expect a 10+ year old car to not have signs of use commensurate with age/mileage but neither do I expect to purchase a car from any dealer, irrespective of the vehicle’s age, with unserviceable systems not being repaired or at least being pointed out as such. The clutch issue is still somewhat of a mystery to me. Selected Cars issue a ‘Parts and Labour Warranty’ at point of sale. The warranty was not discussed (besides a comment on our original visit to say it could be extended) and it was only when I looked at the warranty later I noticed it was for a maximum claim limit of £100! The Warranty lists quite comprehensively the systems and individual components covered including: “Your Formula Warranty covers the following components against mechanical or electrical breakdown…….Clutch – Clutch Cover, clutch fork and pivot, plate, master cylinder, slave cylinder and thrust bearing.” This appears to me to be fairly comprehensive cover of the Clutch system in its entirety and although my particular failure was specifically of a clip on one of the system parts it apparently did not meet the criteria for a claim, Selected Cars stating – “the clutch is not covered under warranty”. Based on my experience I could not recommend using Selected Cars unless you scan manage your expectations in line with their policies and product.