Vauxahll Corsa engine failure - who's to blame?
A family member bought a Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 petrol Ecotec last year (2012 - 62 plate). Despite my reminders, she has failed to service the vehicle (now owned for 14 months) and, low and behold, on Saturday the vehicle broke down. I’ve checked the car and found it to have not one drop of oil in it.
It was subsequently recovered back to Vauxhall and found that piston #2 is holed. Vauxhall is now trying to establish if the engine can be repairs and if the warranty will cover it.
My thoughts are that, the failure will be judged a direct result of running without engine oil and, as so, the warranty will be void. But, can you tell me if:
A) It is reasonable to expect a car, 14 months old and with 12,500 miles on it, to have consumed all of its engine oil?
b) Are there any known issues with the 1.2 ecotec that could have exacerbated or even caused the failure - giving them potential recourse with Vauxhall?
c) What line should be taken with the dealer/garage - i.e. is there ANY argument to take with them? Are they likely to offer any degree of 'good will' with repairing the vehicle?
I concur with your thoughts.
a) Is it reasonable to expect a car, 14 months old and with 12,500 miles on it, to have consumed all of its engine oil? (they do insist that they regularly checked and topped up the oil)
Yes. I0 years ago you would have changed the oil at 5000 miles and not noticed.
b) Are there any known issues with the 1.2 ecotec that could have exacerbated or even caused the failure - giving them potential recourse with Vauxhall?
Whatever, this is clearly the fault of the owner/driver for never checking the oil and for not getting the car serviced.
c) What line should be taken with the dealer/garage - i.e. is there ANY argument to take with them? Are they likely to offer any degree of 'good will' with repairing the vehicle.
I don't think 'the family member' has a leg to stand on. But that does not mean that the dealer or Vauxhall will not offer any goodwill.
a) Is it reasonable to expect a car, 14 months old and with 12,500 miles on it, to have consumed all of its engine oil? (they do insist that they regularly checked and topped up the oil)
Yes. I0 years ago you would have changed the oil at 5000 miles and not noticed.
b) Are there any known issues with the 1.2 ecotec that could have exacerbated or even caused the failure - giving them potential recourse with Vauxhall?
Whatever, this is clearly the fault of the owner/driver for never checking the oil and for not getting the car serviced.
c) What line should be taken with the dealer/garage - i.e. is there ANY argument to take with them? Are they likely to offer any degree of 'good will' with repairing the vehicle.
I don't think 'the family member' has a leg to stand on. But that does not mean that the dealer or Vauxhall will not offer any goodwill.
Answered by Honest John on
