Freaky luck with Opel Astra?
Hi there,
My dad has a 2002 Opel Astra which he decied to tradein for an upgrade for another this January. However, my brother & his wife were in the market for their first car (2nd hand) so we figured, why not buy from my dad, as the history of the car is well known and good (see ** below), rather than they buy from an unknown source & dad could use their money to help purchase the new car without the trade-in.
Would you beleive, on their very first journey in their very first car, (only three hours later!) the oil ran out, and engine started smoking and they had to be towed into Dublin!
The opel garage to which he was towed says the sump has fallen out, as a result of a mechanical failure (although my dad took some convincing my brother didnt bump it) and will cost 2,500 to replace engine. The 2002 car is out of warranty and insurance (comprehensive) say it isnt covered as it is a mechanical failure.
Would be interested in your thoughts on the following:
1. How freaky is the sump falling out or is it common?
2. Is anyone liable for cost of replacing engine? Insurance/ warranty/ guy who serviced it in september and found no fault?
3. failing a favourable answer to 2. above, Who in your opinion should cover the cost of the repairs - Dad or my brother?. I think Dad (retired) will offer to pay the bulk of it, but neither he nor brother are really in the money
4. Should Dad proceed with getting new 2006 Opel (due to be picked up today) from the same garage from whom 2002 was bought? Should garage offer a discount of any sort as a good will gesture or am I being naive?
5. **Timing belt in 2002 opel astra had to be changed but garage never advised that this would need to be done. Should they have or should dad have known or is it in the small print?
All comments welcome.
Hi there,
My dad has a 2002 Opel Astra which he decied to tradein for an upgrade for another this January. However, my brother & his wife were in the market for their first car (2nd hand) so we figured, why not buy from my dad, as the history of the car is well known and good (see ** below), rather than they buy from an unknown source & dad could use their money to help purchase the new car without the trade-in.
Would you beleive, on their very first journey in their very first car, (only three hours later!) the oil ran out, and engine started smoking and they had to be towed into Dublin!
The opel garage to which he was towed says the sump has fallen out, as a result of a mechanical failure (although my dad took some convincing my brother didnt bump it) and will cost 2,500 to replace engine. The 2002 car is out of warranty and insurance (comprehensive) say it isnt covered as it is a mechanical failure.
Would be interested in your thoughts on the following:
1. How freaky is the sump falling out or is it common?
2. Is anyone liable for cost of replacing engine? Insurance/ warranty/ guy who serviced it in september and found no fault?
3. failing a favourable answer to 2. above, Who in your opinion should cover the cost of the repairs - Dad or my brother?. I think Dad (retired) will offer to pay the bulk of it, but neither he nor brother are really in the money
4. Should Dad proceed with getting new 2006 Opel (due to be picked up today) from the same garage from whom 2002 was bought? Should garage offer a discount of any sort as a good will gesture or am I being naive?
5. **Timing belt in 2002 opel astra had to be changed but garage never advised that this would need to be done. Should they have or should dad have known or is it in the small print?
All comments welcome.