Engine Disaster

[Ardtop]

Hi there we own a 59 plate impreza sti which was purchased from a dealership in Chester called Graham Walker with 16k on the clock eleven months ago. We are new to Subaru having had R32's before but saw this car and decided to buy it. Quite happy with our purchase we enjoyed driving the car, although we were promised the full service history but it never turned up depsite numerous vists and calls to the dealership. We then ahd some whhel corrosion so called into the Shrewsbury dealership to see if it would be covered under the warranty as we were advised it had 12 months manufacturs warranty on it until Sept 12, the dealership in Shrewsbury confirmed that the corosion was a warranty issue how ever when they typed our vin no into there databse they found that the car was in fact an imported model, and that it came via Cyprus and was in fact a 2008. I was quite shoced and was referred back to Graham Walaker.

I contacted teh salesman who sold us the car called Neil, who was quite put out that we found out teh car was imported but went on to say that they would honour the balance of the manufactures warranty and did indeed refurbish our wheels, so I though oh this is going to be fine..........................

Until 4 weeks ago I was driving back from football training when calling at Sainsburys to refule I became aware of some engine noise, so I drove home in I quietly only to get 10 miles when all the lights came on the dashboard so I pulled over and called the RAC. When they attended they advised me that the oil pressure had dropped and put a litre of oil into the vehicle, and then recommended they recovered me home.

I contacted Graham Waler the next day as the car had the warranty only to be greeted with we ave no means of recovering your vehicle and was infomred that I ahd to get it there myself, so I called the RAC and paid the £201 to send my vehicle to Chester.

They confirmed receipt of teh vehicle and said they would look at it on the Monday, do I called later on that day to be told that we ahd been running it on 95 ron fuel and not 98 and that it had to much oil in it, but prior to that it had not enough oil in it which has resulted in severe engine damage causing damage to teh crnak shaft 2 pistons and the clutch.

I was really shocled by this as it is not our main car we have only done 4000 miles in 11 months and yes we have checked the oil only every couple of months but how can this be right.

Can anybody give us some advice or have you ahd a similar experience with Graham Walker or with a Subaru?

Thanks

Ardtop

[monsterenergy]

Welcome along and sorry it's not under happier circumstances - I guess it'd be inappropriate to ask for the customary introductory pics of your car.

Google "subaru hatch engine failure" - the results are not a good read. The dealers unfortunately seem to try anything to not honour warranties in many of the cases - they're already trying this with their claims about petrol used and oil levels. Unless the car has a data logger fitted, I don't know how they can prove fuel type etc.

However - I would think you might have a route via trading standards if you were not told it was an import when you bought it?

Does the V5 document state it's an import? (note - i'm not sure it would, but some import owners can maybe tell you)

Surely you've been driving around with void insurance because it's not declared as an import on your insurance? Many insurers won't touch an import.

Sounds awful fishy to me - and I think I'd be raging and checking out legal avenues if I was you because I suspect you're about to hit a brick wall with the dealership.

Note - Subaru/IM group are using the subaru forums to look for ways out of warranty claims - so watch you don't "incriminate" yourself by talking about the fuel you used or oil checks etc

Edited September 8, 2012 by monsterenergy

[The Don]

To save you looking..........

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/scoobynet-general-1/828990-2008-2010-2-5ltr-engine-failures.html

[g1983]

What details on the vine would signify an import or Cyprus

[Ardtop]

What details on the vine would signify an import or Cyprus

What do you mean?

[Ardtop]

Welcome along and sorry it's not under happier circumstances - I guess it'd be inappropriate to ask for the customary introductory pics of your car.

Google "subaru hatch engine failure" - the results are not a good read. The dealers unfortunately seem to try anything to not honour warranties in many of the cases - they're already trying this with their claims about petrol used and oil levels. Unless the car has a data logger fitted, I don't know how they can prove fuel type etc.

However - I would think you might have a route via trading standards if you were not told it was an import when you bought it?

Does the V5 document state it's an import? (note - i'm not sure it would, but some import owners can maybe tell you)

Surely you've been driving around with void insurance because it's not declared as an import on your insurance? Many insurers won't touch an import.

Sounds awful fishy to me - and I think I'd be raging and checking out legal avenues if I was you because I suspect you're about to hit a brick wall with the dealership.

Note - Subaru/IM group are using the subaru forums to look for ways out of warranty claims - so watch you don't "incriminate" yourself by talking about the fuel you used or oil checks etc

[Ardtop]

Hi thanks for replying, I dont have any pictures sorry its a hatch in Blue! It doesnt mention anything on the logbook about being imported, and yes I am very worried that the insurance may well have not been valid it really has upset me :-(

[g1983]

Sorry mate. just wondering what would signify a impart on the VIN as i have no idea and would like to check.

I think it way be a case for trading standards

[Ardtop]

Sorry mate. just wondering what would signify a impart on the VIN as i have no idea and would like to check.

I think it way be a case for trading standards

[Ardtop]

Hi mate dorry for being so thick lol! You would ahve to take your car to a main Subaru dealer and tehy would check all UK models are on there database, if it is not then its a grey import and they have to call the IM group and check the global database to ascertain what the cars origins are. Hope this helps. This is now in the hands of the solicitors as we had not a clue it was an import and consequently have been driving round uninsured :-(

[monsterenergy]

Hi mate dorry for being so thick lol! You would ahve to take your car to a main Subaru dealer and tehy would check all UK models are on there database, if it is not then its a grey import and they have to call the IM group and check the global database to ascertain what the cars origins are. Hope this helps. This is now in the hands of the solicitors as we had not a clue it was an import and consequently have been driving round uninsured :-(

Fingers crossed you get it sorted.

Aaaaand - it may be a blessing in disguise - maybe you'll get yourself a fully forged engine rebuild out of it

[Ardtop]

Thanks mate hope so!

[boyward]

Just had a read of the linked thread and a bit confused of sorts, is that just an Import problem or the same with UK spec Hatch's as well?

[kaylz_555]

I would be asking for my money back!

You've clearly been mis-sold a car, and if it's on a 59 plate, when it's registered in 2008 abroad then that's not right either!?

Your insurance won't have been valid the whole time you've been using it.

The fact that you don't have the full sevice history when you were told it had one and you were promised it?

Nah, here's the keys. Transfer the money back into my bank thanks!

Get yourself to a lawyer before you spend any money, time or effort on this car.

Yet another poor show from a dealership

[The Don]

Yet another poor show from a dealership

To make it clear they are not a Subaru Dealership............

http://www.grahamwalker.co.uk/

[kaylz_555]

No I didn't mean a Subaru one - however it wouldn't surprise me!

I just meant in general. You can't trust anyone/ anywhere these days!!!

Will be good to warn people off of this one then without a VIN check!

http://www.grahamwalker.co.uk/subaru-impreza-wrx-sti-type-uk-ppp-pack-sat-nav-in-chester-2316460

[dave1965]

Sorry mate. just wondering what would signify a impart on the VIN as i have no idea and would like to check.

I think it way be a case for trading standards

taking a closer look at my paperwork..(kicking myself for not checking before) the pre delivery inspection stamp in the service book is from a dealer in Nicosia Hopefully my insurance is ok as all i can find in my policy book is ..

'15 Vehicle registration

To be covered by this policy your car must be registered in, or be

in the process of being registered in, the UK, the Channel Islands

or the Isle of Man'

guess they have a thing about blue hatches in Cyprus

[g1983]

Who's next. Would the VIN set any alarm bells ringing?