Driver Left with £4,750 Repair Bill After Buying ‘Faulty’ Car
A driver says he’s been left out of pocket by thousands after buying a used car from Big Motoring World according to The Sun article online, claiming it came with several hidden issues that only showed up days after taking it home. Matthew Harris, from Peterborough, bought a VW Tiguan from the well-known dealership in June 2023. It had just over 55,000 miles on the clock and had recently passed its MOT. But after only 600 miles of driving, things started to go wrong. Big Motoring World reviews are not looking great recently on BBC watchdog coverage and now on The Sun. Big motoring makes very difficult to inspect used cars independently too by requesting £500 non refundable deposits which is unfair obstacle for consumers ability to check the vehicle prior purchase as mentioned in consumers right act 2015.
“It Started Grinding and Overheating”
Matthew told reporters he began to feel a grinding sensation when braking and noticed the car was overheating — not exactly what you’d expect from a car freshly sold by a major dealer.
He contacted Big Motoring World, who advised him to get the car checked out locally. The garage didn’t take long to uncover a long list of problems:
- A blocked diesel particulate filter (DPF)
- A rear tyre almost at the legal limit
- All four brake discs needing replacement
The initial quote? Around £3,500. And then it got worse — the garage later discovered a failing turbocharger, pushing the total repair bill up to £4,750.
The Back-and-Forth Begins
Matthew says he contacted the dealership with the garage’s report, but claims they told him to go through his warranty provider instead. The warranty company agreed to cover £1,155, leaving Matthew with a bill of over £3,600.
When he tried to raise the issue with Big Motoring World directly, he says they ignored his emails for weeks, before eventually offering £406 towards the bill — saying they could’ve done the work cheaper using reconditioned parts.
That wasn’t good enough for Matthew. He had also spent £400 hiring a car while his own was off the road.
A Peaceful Protest and Legal Threats
Frustrated, Matthew decided to stage a peaceful protest outside the Peterborough branch. But he says things took another turn when the dealership threatened him with legal action.
Shortly after, they upped their offer to £1,600 — but Matthew refused, saying:
“All I want is the garage repair paid and my hire car covered. I’m not asking for damages — just what I paid out.”
What Does Big Motoring World Say?
In response, Big Motoring World denied any wrongdoing.
They claim:
- The tyres were legal at the time of sale
- The brake test passed MOT standards
- The DPF was working as it should
- The turbo fault wasn’t reported to them before being repaired
They said they had offered Matthew £2,780, covering the tyre, brake discs, and a NOX sensor repair — but would not pay for the turbo or any extra work the customer requested without informing them first.
So What Are Your Rights in This Situation?
Under UK law (Consumer Rights Act 2015), if a fault appears within 30 days, buyers can reject the vehicle. If it’s within six months, the dealer needs to prove the issue wasn’t there when the car was sold.
In this case, the garage report states that the problems likely existed before the purchase, which might give Matthew a stronger position if he chooses to pursue further action.
Final Thoughts
Buying a used car always carries some risk — but when you’re dealing with a big-name dealership, you expect better support if things go wrong. Check Big Motoring World reviews too.
Matthew’s experience is a reminder to get a used car inspected independently, check the fine print on your warranty, and know your consumer rights. While Big Motoring World might in some eyes look like popular dealership, this case shows how easily things can spiral if communication breaks down.
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