Yes, superb. I've not named the dealer to date but if this works out well I'll certainly give credit where it's due.

Do they know what caused it yet? 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

They haven't said, although to be fair it's been brief communication by email so far. I'm going to speak again if / when I can spot a suitable exchange model on their website.

They haven't offered a refund, just repair or replacement. I'm aware I could hold out for a refund but at the moment they're making the right noises.

As I said above, after speaking to the original owner it's clear that the car covered zero miles since he PX'd it, so at the very best it's just sat on their forecourt for nearly four months, unloved. Perhaps that could have caused it but I'd be surprised - I know Land Rovers aren't perfect (nothing is) but you'd expect a little more robustness than that.

Last edited by le bouch on 27th Mar 2014 5:42 pm. Edited 1 time in total

That's a great result! We usually only hear the real horror stories, so very nice to have one that looks like having a good ending.

Excellent

I dare say that in the interim period they sought legal advice from their team in light of your email and were advised accordingly.

I must say that in view of the approved programme's claims, you had a strong argument. Keep the email safe!  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Although fingers are still firmly crossed (i.e. it's not over yet) I'd like to thank you all for your support over this, especially the good Doctor.

It has at least made me wise up a little and actually read the terms and conditions of the LR Approved Scheme. I didn't know for instance that you have a 30 day / 1000 mile exchange window through the scheme, although like most things it's a bit noncommittal.

The original owner of the car has said from day one that the dealership is straight up so hopefully he's right. The next hurdle will be what car I take in exchange as they don't have any straight swaps, albeit they do have a couple of the same model and year (2010 GS) but with lower miles and about £1k more on the sticker price.

Regardless of the hassle this is / has been, imagine if I'd gone 'under the arches'...

If you do a swap with them I bet you look under the bonnet this time!  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

You may well be right...

I was foolish not to check but as I said in an earlier post, I trusted them and in any event, where do you stop? Get down in the dirt, get it up on ramps?

I've been offered the choice of 3 cars in exchange - see my separate post if you're interested

Not checking under the bonnet - it's easily done -you sort of trust a franchised dealer when you're buying with warranty. I didn't check the engine on my last Freely, and when I did open the bonnet I found they hadn't cleaned the mud off it! No problems though, and such a good car I bought another one to replace it.

Great result le bouch. Pleased for you and hats off to the dealer as well. 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

Seen engine bays like this before, due to steam/jet washing by over zealous valeting. Company driver leaves it to someone else to clean.This removes what little protection the engine bay receives during manufacture,the road salt ,as others mention, does the rest.
On the plus side,it's ready for a quick wire brush of the rusty steel parts and some black hammerite! What else is there to do on Sunday? Back in the fold after 8 yrs. V8 Disco 300 series-Gone.07 Freelander 2 HSE Auto Rimini Red.
Gone.
2013 HSE Lux Havana ( Brown! )

remember having a test drive in a demo before I bought mine.

the salesman ssid he had the demo on the beach and was amazed at how it handled the sand and shallow water, he and his family had great fun !!

Iain

Apologies for the cross-posting but I thought it worthy of mention..

After returning the car to the dealer on 4th April, I am somewhat gobsmacked to report that the car is already back on their website for sale, at £1500 more than the sticker price when I bought it in January. It's covered an additional 2k miles since then and has the problems documented above. Wow.

Expect it has a super-clean engine...

le bouch wrote:

... back on their website for sale, at £1500 more than the sticker price when I bought it in January. It's covered an additional 2k miles since then and has the problems documented above. Wow.