Tyres and Car Warranty

[hansy]

Hi

I purchased a mini cooper from an independent garage in stoke on trent and it had run flat tyres. Within a week the light came on to say that the tyre pressure had gone down i took it to an air pump and the pressure was zero. To find out if it was a puncture i filled it up and continued driving in less than a week the pressure had falled from 30psi to 14 psi, so therefore for it to be zero after a week the pressure must have been at around 15 psi when i bought the car. I took it to get the tyre changed and it was corrosion to the alloy which happens over time and had broke the seal. Therefore this corrosion on the alloy was there when i bought the car. Because i had driven around on it at zero pressure there was damage to the tyre so i had to replace the tyre which cost £150 and i had only had the car 2 weeks.

I have rang the garage who are refusing to pay saying that i had caused the damage to the tyre by driving the car round at zero pressure however i wouldnt have known this until the light came on. They also said they had checked the tyre pressure before they gave it to me, which i dont believe is the case. I am waiting to speak to the owner now as i think it is disgusting that they are not willing to contribute anything, the tyre was obviously faulty when they sold it to me and therefore sold me an unroadworthy car.

Is there anything i can do if they still refuse to pay for the tyre?

[Chesterexpress]

Run flat only means you can drive in an emergency, not that you can drive indefinitely on a flat tyre. It is your responsibilty to check tyre pressures, oil levels etc. Having said that, I think you ought to press for a contribution for the replacement as a goodwill gesture.

[Conniff]

This garage could at the very least get you the parts at trade prices.