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Out of warranty MINI fault - what are my legal rights?

My wife has owned her 2011 MINI One D from new. The other day the car started making a rattle from the rear driver's side. Upon closer inspection the bolt holding the bracket supporting the fuel tank to the underside of the car had sheared off at the head. The fuel tank is now loose.

There is no damage to the plastic underbody that might indicate it had been hit or abused. As the car is now technically out of warranty, MINI has quoted approx £160 to £210 to fix the problem. Surely the bolt holding on the fuel tank can not be expected to break after three years and about 35000 miles?

The dealer say they can try to put in a request for a goodwill contribution to the cost but this cannot be guaranteed, and will not be done until after the work is completed. What are my rights with respect to this?

Asked on 30 March 2015 by russellb33

Answered by Honest John
These are your consumer rights: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/ In theory you have the right to expect the car to last for six years without problems developing from a manufacturing fault. No previous reports here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/cooper-diesel-r...d Also checked here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/cooper-diesel-r...d

Will add your case. Assuming you are dealing with the dealer who supplied the car, I'd let them proceed on the understanding they will put in a claim to BMW. Then if you get nothing back, threaten the dealer with small claims track action.

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