In October 2005, I purchased a Vauxhall Vectra 2.2i saloon car from a NetworkQ dealer in Essex. The vehicle was sold having undergone all of the NetworkQ checks. Prior to agreeing to purchase the vehicle, I asked if the camshaft belt could be renewed (approx. 46,000 miles on the odometer at purchase) and to this the dealer agreed. When finally collecting the vehicle, I asked if the cam belt had been renewed and they stated that it had not been renewed because the engine had a timing chain and not a toothed belt. It was therefore not necessary at all to change the chain. Eighteen months and 20,000 miles later, the engine suffered a catastrophic failure which was diagnosed as being a failure of the timing chain. There was no warning of the impending catastrophe. The car was going beautifully immediately before the chain snapped.
Since having had the car re-engined, it has been pointed out to me that timing chain failure is not an uncommon problem with the 2.2 litre petrol engines, resulting in Field Remedy 1532. However, VX state that my car’s chassis number was not covered in the recall. Surely it should have been engine number and not chassis number?
I believe that the dealer should not have sold me the car without informing me that the car had not been recalled (they have the full history of the car) and the engine was prone to this type of failure. I recognise the fact that the responsibility for such failures moves from the manufacturer to the vehicle owner but only when the owner is aware that a failure problem might exist. The fact that they said it was a chain and not a belt and that the chain did not need replacing indicated to me at the time that a chain was more superior and more reliable than a belt and therefore there was not a problem. Don’t you agree?
Naturally I will ask the repairer (not the dealer) if the new engine is covered. I feel let down by both NetworkQ and the Vauxhall dealer and very disappointed as it has cost me £2,300 to repair the vehicle. Does anyone know the procedures for (trying to) claim compensation?