Cambelt failed on a car that is on HP 20k miles before due.

[Simonslw]

Good Afternoon

I have a car on Hire purchase that I have owned for 2 years. A few weeks ago the timing belt failed and was not due for another 20,000 miles / 5 years. My question is can I claim faulty goods on the car as this is clearly not a wear and tear issue and has failed way before it is due. I believe the finance company are responsible for faulty goods if the issue can be proven to have been present at time of purchase. Clearly this is the case as the belt is the original one and so if it has not lasted as per the manufacturers handbook it is not of satisfactory quality etc.

Any advice will be hugely appreciated as this is causing me huge amounts of stress and worry.

[DE DOGS]

From memory, I believe you will not win. I seem to remember an acquaintance who operates a taxi company from Kent, long story short, he only ever renewed the fleet with Vauxhall cars, year after year, well a new car it was run well in under servicing, cam belt snapped, the car sales would not entertain any compensation, and this was after he had purchased many many replacement cars from this dealership, believe me, he tryed, now avoids cars with belts.

[Simonslw]

Thank you for your response.

What I am looking to do is Volountary Terminate the agreement, which my finance company have agreed to do despite the car being non running. My concern is that they will worst case scenario add an engine rebuild to the final cost after collection, which is going to be significant.

I am hoping that I can argue the point if they do try this that the belt failed well before its due and that this was not due to neglect on my part.

[MIKE770]

have they stated you are liable due to contract for and losses to agreement? voluntary termination has cost in most cases, how many miles due you say the cam belt had done??? (not miles while with you) & what car is it?

[MIKE770]

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Timing Belt

• You Hear A Ticking Noise Coming From The Engine. ...
• Your Car's Engine Won't Turn Over. ...
• You Notice An Oil Leak Near The Motor. ...
• You Experience Exhaust Issues. ...
• Your Revs Start Acting Up.
• did any occur?? old average life span was 35-40000, these days between 60- 120000, if lucky?

[Simonslw]

Hi There

All its says in my contract is that I'm liable for damage beyond wear snd than and anything due to neglect.

It is a 2015 Ford Focus 1.5tdci and had done 100,000 miles. The belt interval is 120,000 or 10 years whichever comes first. the cambelt has definitely failed on it as a friend of mine who is a bit more familiar with these things has taken a look and the cambelt has slack in it, so looks like a tensioner has gone. I have kept up servicing on the car as per my agreement and I would not say that the belt has gone due to neglect.

I have not yet VT the car, I just spoke to the finance company to see if was possible if the car is not running which they confirmed is fine.

[MIKE770]

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[Simonslw]

Thank you for your responses. I will be doing the VT, I just want to get an idea of what I can argue if they do come back with some obscene charge.

From what I have read online, I may be covered by consumer law as there was clearly something wrong when I bought the car as it is the original cambelt. If this has failed 20k miles / 5 years before it is due then clearly the car is not up to scratch and if the cambekt cannot last this long then it shouldn't be advertised as such.

I'm not sure if this will give me a leg to stand on but I'm unsure where to get some definitive answers on what my rights are on this.