As madf points out, you make absolutely no mention of the age of the car or the price paid for it.

Basically, the CRA covers 'reasonable expectations'. So if you buy a shed for £1k, you can't 'reasonably expect' it to be as good as a car costing £10k.

The Park sensors not working properly - well, the question is was it clear that was the case when bought. If they were not working at time of sale (and bear in mind that faults like that will be logged by the ECU), then you were aware of the fault, and accepted it as such.

Same for the mileage - when you bought the car the mileage on it was clear. As such, you were aware, and should have negotiated a discount or walked away at the time.

As to the suspension 'clunking', it's going to be worn, and a bit loose. As long as it passes an MOT you've got no cause to complain. If you Want new, tight suspension with no clunks or rattles, you buy a new car.

Next, the car 'pulls to one side'. These are notorious for tramlining, like all 'sport-spec' cars. Big wheels, run-flat tyres and 'sports' suspension will do that every time. It would have been obvious on a test drive, so unless you can SHOW (by proof, an inspection of the suspension showing problems or faults) that it's faulty then you've no comeback there.

The rest of the faults, as I say, you may have comeback on. But what is 'reasonable' to expect depending on the price you paid, nobody can say without knowing the price paid.

EDIT : also 'steering rack noise'. If it's working, then it isn't faulty. You can only ask for FAULTS to be fixed, not items that are a bit worn and noisy.

Edited by RobJP on 13/02/2017 at 15:40

The problem is that it is a 10 year old car which has done 130k miles. Many would consider 130k pretty high and the sort of mileage where a car is quite worn out and a fair bit in need of replacement.

I can't see you getting anywhere on minor things like a dodgy PDC sensor or worn out suspension at this sort of mileage. The other things really depend on how bad they are - small oil leak is probably one of those things but if it is pouring out and was when you bought it then maybe you have a case.

This sounds harsh but £5650 would have bought an Aygo with 25k and maybe some warranty if you wanted something reliable and low maintenance - to a certain extent nothing in law mitigates the personal decision to buy something which is obviously not at the cheap end of cars to maintain.

In terms of legal comeback you have to ask yourself what happens if you end up in front of a judge who always changes his/her car at 25k miles before it "gets too high mileage and unreliable". My gut feeling, and that is all it is, is that you might struggle with this car unless you can conclusively prove it was dangerous at the very moment you purchased it.

In truth - no one can actually tell you one way or another if you have a case because you'd only know that if/when it went to court and you got a judgement.

I am constantly amazed by people.

You've got a 6 month old son, you NEED a reliable car for work, money is obviously tight, and yet you go and buy a 'premium' brand on an 11 year old 'luxury sporting' saloon with 130k on the clock (to put that into perspective, it's been round the planet 5 times).

And you seem to think that's a sensible course of action.

Edited by RobJP on 13/02/2017 at 19:20

I'd pretty much concur with SLO76 as above. The dealer has apparently agreed to look at the manifold and my feeling is that is maybe something they should address. I do wonder though if it is in fact the flexi joint in which case it is a wear and tear item.

I like (most) BMWs - particularly the larger ones - but they are a Labour of Love and BMW's attitutude is that regular £2k visits to their dealers are all par for the course. Ditto most Audi models. They're great cars to run for 4 years on an inclusive lease but, sadly, that's what BMW seem to make them to cope with.

As regards Solicitors be very careful who you take advice from as most haven't a clue about the case law and history on used cars. There are speciliasts but 99% of them work defending dealers and tend to be very good (for the dealer) as they know their stuff and what is acceptable and what isn't. I reckon most would defend this very well - particularly as you've done 1500 miles before complaining.

My honest gut feeling is you really haven't much of a case here and would crash and burn if it got to court. That is only my opnion though and others may be different. Sorry not to be more positive.

Can't help you regarding this fight Daniel. It's probably the worst thing you could've spent £5.5k on. It's a hugely complex car and one that cost the guts of £50k new with options.

I think that says it all really - a 10-year-old car only worth about 12% of its original price. Of course the value of all upmarket cars always drops like the proverbial, but there's usually a fundamental reason, as described above.