Hoping for a bit of advice off anyone who deals with lease cars regularly please.

I’ve got a lease car through my work that is provided by a third party company.

My lease car has broken down three times in the last 7 months (it was only registered in Sept 23) and it is a recurring fault.

Given this is the third time that this has happened and the manufacturer cannot fix it - what are my options with regards to refusing to take the car back and asking the lease company for a new one?

Sorry, can't answer, but I'd like to know the make and model of your current car?

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:17 am

Sorry, can't answer, but I'd like to know the make and model of your current car?

I have a Mini Cooper Electric.

BMW Mini have not even been able to diagnose the fault, nor replicate it.

SuperClarets wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:23 am

I have a Mini Cooper Electric.

BMW Mini have not even been able to diagnose the fault, nor replicate it.

Thanks for the info.

what are the lease company saying? the car belongs to them, they should be as concerned as you are.

Seems to me that is should be a good reason to refuse it. push it with the lease/finance company rather than BMW

they won't swap or take back without charging for the rest of the lease. I lease an electric Corsa and the battery range is crap - no where near what was promised. I tried swapping for that reason but they were not for helping

GetIntoEm wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:33 am

what are the lease company saying? the car belongs to them, they should be as concerned as you are.

Seems to me that is should be a good reason to refuse it. push it with the lease/finance company rather than BMW

I've previously dealt with Mini BMW directly, although this morning I have emailed the lease company expressing my concerns. I am currently awaiting a reply from them.

59claret wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:34 am

they won't swap or take back without charging for the rest of the lease. I lease an electric Corsa and the battery range is crap - no where near what was promised. I tried swapping for that reason but they were not for helping

I'm not asking to swap it because the battery range is insufficient - I am asking because the car is, in my opinion, not safe to drive and Mini BMW cannot diagnose a fault.

Losing power on a motorway without any warning and reason is pretty good grounds for me to ask them to replace the car, I would have thought?

Is it not under warranty?

I had an issue with my lease car last year, took it straight into the dealer where i got it and as it was under warranty they gave me a hire car until they sorted it.

Don't let them fob you off.

What have the lease company and your manager done to (no pun intended) accelerate this as a complaint on grounds of safety and risk? You need to take it up the pecking order at work and ensure written communication at all stages as a backup should it get messy and legal.

Boroclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:48 am

Is it not under warranty?

I had an issue with my lease car last year, took it straight into the dealer where i got it and as it was under warranty they gave me a hire car until they sorted it.

Don't let them fob you off.

I don't have an issue with the service I've been provided with. My issue is that this has happened three times without the issue being resolved, I am asking where I stand with refusing to take the car back due to losing all confidence in it.

ALP wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:52 am

What have the lease company and your manager done to (no pun intended) accelerate this as a complaint on grounds of safety and risk? You need to take it up the pecking order at work and ensure written communication at all stages as a backup should it get messy and legal.

My manager has been supportive, I am awaiting a response with regards to my available options from the lease company.

I'm just wondering what sort of footing I am on with regards to refusing to take the car back and asking for a replacement.

Tell your lease company that the car is ‘not fit for purpose’ and you want either a replacement or to terminate the lease. I would add that the fault is a danger to you and could cause a serious accident ( if that is correct)

Does your local Radio Station have a consumer affairs slot? The threat of adverse publicity can work wonders.

Down here BBC 3 Counties Radio have a guy whose programme features this type of complaint on a regular basis and more often than not gets results for the consumer. Might be worth a punt with your local station.

SuperClarets wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 06, 2024 10:57 am

My manager has been supportive, I am awaiting a response with regards to my available options from the lease company.

I'm just wondering what sort of footing I am on with regards to refusing to take the car back and asking for a replacement.

I would think that you would have a very good case to refuse the car, if you feel it is endangering your safety.