I hate to moan about my Altea becuase i love it... But....

[Toxic]

just took a look over here:

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/278441.aspx

Devonmikeyboy quoted "A lot of the early BKD engines had a porous head which ended in the head cracking and coolent loss. I am not saying it is but a very common problem."

 

[CrispDust]

As toxic suggested above, look around for evidence of common issues or faults. SEAT will be well aware of these although obviosley won't make them public knowledge. Talk DIRECTLY to SEAT explaing the problem and that you are knowledgable and aware of the manufacturing defects in the gasket/head as experienced by many others. If it is on hire purchase then HP company are responsible for defective goods. Did you pay any of deposit on credit card? If so they are laible too.
You may need an independent engineers report (cost I know) if SEAT won't play ball.

 

[muddyboots]

Alternatively you could just try and let your HP company to sort it all out - it's not your car, it's theirs !

 

[seremotors]

If I can throw my tuppence-worth in, our experience has been with mixed success. Bear in mind that goodwill is paid for by the importer (SEAT UK) and NOT by SEAT the manufacturer.
For any car outside warranty to be considered for goodwill, the following conditions must usually be applied -
Original owner
Full SEAT dealer service history
Full detailed diagnosis at customer's expense pending goodwill request
Fault must not be wear and tear related ie must be unexpected at mileage covered


Good luck!!!!
Worth discussing with SEAT Customer Care 0500 222222

 

[CrispDust]

Even honest john mentions the porosity issue and VAG are aware apparently

 

[seremotors]

Alternatively you could just try and let your HP company to sort it all out - it's not your car, it's theirs !

Whatever you do, DONT stop paying the HP or you will have your credit rating destroyed.
By all means contact the HP company and they may help you to protect their agreement.
You MAY (note, only may) be able to hand the car back if its straight HP (no final payment) after you pass the halfway point of the agreement without damaging your credit score. Worth the ask . . . . . .

 

[andyj]

If VAG know about it, and it's a design related issue, then surely you're covered under the Sale of Goods act anyway?

Where-by you can return goods to the manufactuere if they are deemed to have been faulty at the time of sale. By faulty, this could mean an inherant design fault etc.

Worth mentioning that to Seat when you next speak to them

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/problemswithgoods-sum19.cfm

This is assuming you bought the car brand new from Seat......

Different rules apply to 'second hand' cars.

 

[chrisash32]

wow... thanks for the all reply's!
Sorry for the delayed response - SCN does not seem to be emailing me! (will check my spam filter).

I picked the car up from SEAT today. Sadly my local dealers can be a joke sometimes. They literally wanted me to commit the work to them (by paying a sizeable amount of money) before they would put my case to SEAT. David - Is this normal practice??

Anyway, i decided to call SEAT UK myself with the number that David posted and after much debate i managed to get an approximate figure out of them.. On a car of my age / miles they would look to contribute 30% to the cost of repair.. However, like David said, this 30% gets less and less depending where it was serviced, how many owners etc etc... None of which works in my favour, So I didn't deem this line worth it.

Neither SEAT UK or my dealer were prepared to comment on the issue with the head being a known fault, so I would have to compile my own evidence some other way.

I have seen that in my agreement about paying 50% and being able to hand the vehicle back, however I am still a fair few months away from 50%. So it looks like I will head down the repair route. However I have noticed on-line some people saying they sometimes will just take the car back off you.. Does anyone know where I would stand with my private plate on this one? Or should I stick it in retention now just in case?

I have already been warned by our lawyer at work.. I have to be prepared as these guys done usually like paying for anything! So will try every way out!

Cheers!

Chris

 

[Logan 5]

Shish, nightmare problem! Wish Id have read this before purchasing my Altea FR.

Good luck with Seat. My mates at Seat say its hard to get much out of them now since Synter have taken over

 

[seremotors]

Shish, nightmare problem! Wish Id have read this before purchasing my Altea FR.

Good luck with Seat. My mates at Seat say its hard to get much out of them now since Synter have taken over

Wont be anything to do with Synter - all decisions like this come from SEAT UK which is a business in the same way as any dealer. We dont get as much support from SEAT Spain as everyone thinks!!!!!!!

 

[seremotors]

wow... thanks for the all reply's!
Sorry for the delayed response - SCN does not seem to be emailing me! (will check my spam filter).

I picked the car up from SEAT today. Sadly my local dealers can be a joke sometimes. They literally wanted me to commit the work to them (by paying a sizeable amount of money) before they would put my case to SEAT. David - Is this normal practice??

Anyway, i decided to call SEAT UK myself with the number that David posted and after much debate i managed to get an approximate figure out of them.. On a car of my age / miles they would look to contribute 30% to the cost of repair.. However, like David said, this 30% gets less and less depending where it was serviced, how many owners etc etc... None of which works in my favour, So I didn't deem this line worth it.

Neither SEAT UK or my dealer were prepared to comment on the issue with the head being a known fault, so I would have to compile my own evidence some other way.

I have seen that in my agreement about paying 50% and being able to hand the vehicle back, however I am still a fair few months away from 50%. So it looks like I will head down the repair route. However I have noticed on-line some people saying they sometimes will just take the car back off you.. Does anyone know where I would stand with my private plate on this one? Or should I stick it in retention now just in case?

I have already been warned by our lawyer at work.. I have to be prepared as these guys done usually like paying for anything! So will try every way out!

Cheers!

Chris

Chris, re SEAT demanding that the diagnosis is done by a dealer - this is standard practice so that 1) the diagnosis is done by SEAT trained technicians who know the product best whistle 2) the car is on their site so questions back and forth can be dealt with quickly
Bear in mind any contribution is based on full retail parts and labour prices. It can be more cost effective buying parts at trade discount and paying someone cheaper than a dealer to do the work.
Always messy, I feel for you mate
Some franchises are excellent on goodwill, but from our own used car businness experience SEAT are not near the worst!