bmw 330D fuel pump

[chinawhite1]

Hi Im hoping someone can point me in the right direction. 

 

I bought a used BMW from Stoneacre last January. 

The car has been regularly serviced and well looked after. 

 

On Thursday night the car , with no prior warning cut out on me and i had to call a tow truck to get it to my nearest BMW dealer.

They rang me next day to say they had found swarf in the fuel system and asked if I had put wrong fuel in , I advised them I certainly had not! 

 

They then advised me that the whole fuel system would need to be replaced at a cost of £9,600!!! and that they would first have to see if it would also need a new engine , this would cost around 6 hours labour they told me.  The car is only 3 years old and has only done 33,000 miles. 

 

My questions are:

Should it not be down to the garage to tell me what has caused this to happen, my husband has done nothing different to the car, used the same fuel he always does etc and never lets the tank run dry so I am assuming it must be a faulty part? Should we be expected to pay for the garage to find the faulty part?

 

If it is a faulty part (maybe the fuel pump?) should BMW be held responsible for fixing this given the age and mileage of the car?

 

Many thanks.

[chinawhite1]

Okay thanks. Im calling the garage in the morning so will know more then

[chinawhite1]

Hi I have now had an independent report done which states, no obvious signs of fuel contamination, fuel pump fault,   Do I now have reason to request BMW to cover the cost? Does the Consumer Rights Act apply in this case? it is reasonable to expect a car to last more than 3 years before it costs you £10,000 in repair costs!, 

[chinawhite1]

Yes the fuel pump failed which caused damage to other parts of the car.  so the damage is still the same but we have established that it was not caused by misfuelling, therefore must be a fault within the car.   The original quote from BMW was £9600 plus,  Independent garage have quoted around £7000

[chinawhite1]

Hi I think we have probably done around 7000 miles if that and we paid £22k for the car.

[chinawhite1]

Quote

 

Update.   BMW complaints department refuse to accept my independent report , they say they will only accept one from one  of their dealers, I stated that I did not trust their dealers and wanted an independent report and they flatly  refused to take this into consideration. I told them that their dealer wanted to charge me another £800,to even investigate the possibility of car not being misfuelled and they also advised me that in their opinion it was not worth it because outcome would be the same.  Again, BMW flatly refuse to take any of this into consideration .  I have been told that my complaint will not be taken any further and they referred me to the ombudsman.  Absolutely shocking customer service.  I am effectively left with a written off car and they just kept repeating it wont be taken any further !!!!  

 

Update. 

 BMW complaints department refuse to accept my independent report , they say they will only accept one from one  of their dealers,

 

I stated that I did not trust their dealers and wanted an independent report and they flatly  refused to take this into consideration.

I told them that their dealer wanted to charge me another £800,to even investigate the possibility of car not being misfuelled and they also advised me that in their opinion it was not worth it because outcome would be the same. 

Again, BMW flatly refuse to take any of this into consideration . 

 

I have been told that my complaint will not be taken any further and they referred me to the ombudsman. 

 

Absolutely shocking customer service. 

 

I am effectively left with a written off car and they just kept repeating it wont be taken any further !!!!  

[chinawhite1]

Hi Sorry, 

 

Yes I will space properly, I was in a bit of a strop!

 

I used a garage who specialised in BMW repairs near to me . Blackpool motor works ltd.  They charged £110 to inspect and check diagnostics. They have also quoted for repairs.

 

I have set aside some time tomorrow to put in writing as you suggest.  

 

Thank you 

[chinawhite1]

Bankfodder    

 

You are quite right, no more strops, job for tomorrow, research on fuel pump lifespan and work on letter.  

 

Thank you for your responses.

[chinawhite1]

Hi 

 

Thanks for your  comments. 

 

The car has not been misfuelled but if it had been it would not have been covered by my insurance.

 

The car was paid for by funds from a personal loan so unfortunately not PCP or HP.  

 

I have looked again at the report and although there is a paragraph at the top saying no obvious signs of misfuelling it is followed by a quote so this could perhaps be considered to be just a quote.  I am ringing the garage today to clarify and looking into getting a further inspection report from the AA/RAC.

 

 

[chinawhite1]

Hi Hammy1962

 

Thanks for your comments.  I have seen posts from other owners which show it is possible even though it may be rare

 

Metal Flakes in Fuel System | BimmerFest BMW Forum

 

I agree Stoneacre  couldn't have known this would happen. 

 

All I know is that we 100% have not misfuelled this car ourselves and believe this to be a fuel pump error so I do think BMW should take responsibility.