The Instruction:
Our client contacted us to carry out a CPR part 35 compliant inspection on this 2013 BMW 4 Series which his daughter had purchased from an independent dealer. The vehicle had passed an MOT prior to purchase, a post purchase mechanical check by an independent repairer identified historic panel and mechanical damage.
Background information:
Our background checks revealed that although the vehicle was HPi clear it had been sold as unrecorded salvage in June 2020.
Our findings:
This is a summary of our findings taken from the inspection report.
The vehicle displayed evidence of panel damage and repairs consistent with post accident salvage images. The repair had been carried out using a mix of non genuine and recycled parts.
Structural areas including the LH chassis leg and both inner wings have been sectionally replaced using second hand parts. All of the structural panels including the RH chassis leg had visible distortion and excessive filler. The LH chassis leg has been joined at the point the subframe bolts to the leg and the leg is rusting along this joint. Securing bolts were missing from structural areas.
Both front tyres show excessive wear to the inner edges. The front camber angles are visually negative which is consistent with this wear.
The LH rear engine/gearbox mounting point has failed, as a result the bolt from the subframe to engine / gearbox mounting is floating unattached.
The outcome:
The vehicle was found in an unroadworthy condition, structural and mechanical areas were mis-aligned/poorly repaired and the engine/gearbox mount has failed.
With the new owner and selling dealer seemingly unaware of the vehicles repair history, the vehicle was sold as a retail vehicle with no reduction in price due to its damage history.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 states the condition of goods purchased should be of satisfactory quality, satisfactory quality being what a reasonable person would consider satisfactory. Following receipt of our report, the dealer accepted the vehicle was not of satisfactory quality and agreed to refund our client.
Our Follow Up:
Five months on from our original inspection, further investigation has revealed that the vehicle is still in trade hands and available for sale at a RAC approved dealer.
