Does this sound a bit fishy to you all...
SWMBO's 2011 X3 failed its MOT this week due to too much play at the right-side end of the steering rack. "Potentially dangerous in the long-term" the tester in our local indy garage reckoned.
So off the car goes to the NZ dealership for a replacement part under warranty... Except No, BMW HQ refuse to change the part. It's a known design defect in the current generation X3 and they are not replacing parts, designing new components, or doing anything about it. They reckon it is safe, a bit of play at one end is fine, and so the dealership slapped a new MOT on the car!
So doesn't this lead to the scenario where the only place I can get future MOTs done is at BMW dealerships? (The dealership had previously offered us free MOTs as part of their 2-year used car warranty, but they are a long way away so we went local. Suspicious?).
And aren't BMW essentially circumnavigating the entire MOT process here?
And isn't this dodgy behaviour by a supposed premium brand..??!
And is the car essentially unsafe?
Am speechless. Considering a range of options. And the car will be traded-in before the next MOT is due, that's for sure.
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I'd be speaking to VOSA. Bet they are not used to people complaining about passes.
Someone's MOT tester needs re-calibrating.
Last edited by: IJWS14 on Fri 27 Jun 14 at 07:50
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It seems that it is a known problem with the current generation X3, they have redesigned the steering rack several times since 2011. But BMW think there are no safety concerns. Surely there are safety concerns if your call fails an MOT?!
SWMBO thinks we should pursue the dealer, not BMW HQ. The dealer knowingly sold us a used X3 this time last year with a known defect which has now been tested to be unsafe by an MOT tester other than themselves?
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Under English law you'd go for the dealer if you were using SOGA. But there is nothing to stop you complaining to both, and telling what remedy would satisfy you.
If they say it's safe, it probably is; but even if they stick to that argument, a car that can only attain a test pass at a BMW dealer is an albatross.
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I assume this is not the UK MoT but its counterpart in New Zealand? Who regulates the testing stations down there?
Essentially the indy who did the test considered the part as having prospect of further deterioration so that it became dangerous later. BMW, who've presumably looked at the part in more detail do not and will therefore issue a certificate. Not good but essentially same outcome as the 'venue shopping' that occurred in UK before the test was computerised.
Worn part is still a cause for concern though and should be pursued with both selling dealer and BMW.
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Any action being taken in the USA ?
They seem to take this sort of thing a lot more seriously than most countries.
Any info from the USA might help your case
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A similar thing happened in the UK with P2 Volvos.
MOT test stations were failing the cars at three years old for rubbing front wheels.
Volvo had fitted rubbing plates in the arches from day 1 so must have been part of the Type Approval granted to the vehicle. After several complaints VOSA made amendment to the MOT making an exception for P2 Volvos being allowed rubbing against the plate.
This play in the BMW rack may really be a case of "They all do that, Sir!"
Could be worth asking the indy if he is up to date with the latest VOSA equivalent docs. if they make amendments in NZ as they do in the UK.
Last edited by: gmac on Fri 27 Jun 14 at 10:22
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BMW X3 E83 SUV - 2011 X3: steering rack defect. BMW Cover-up? - IJWS14
