Skip advert
Advertisement

Watchdog: ‘No faults’ on new MG3 that left owner stranded

Owner is perplexed as independent report fails to find faults on problematic MG3

An independent inspection is sometimes the last resort for troubled motorists to try to persuade a manufacturer to act, but they don’t always quite work out.

Chris Cuthill of Newtongrange, Midlothian, decided to obtain an independent survey on his 2014 MG3 after his dealership found ‘no mechanical faults’ with it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

“Within the first week of ownership the suspension started to clunk and I was hearing a squeal when driving at 60mph. All of this was made even worse by the discovery of rust and cracked paint on the roof and around the windscreen,” Chris said.

Dissatisfied with the condition of his new car, Chris took it to Phoenix MG in Linwood, Renfrewshire. The dealer found the squeal coming from the auxiliary belt, which was replaced under warranty. However, only three days later, Chris was stuck on the side of the road as the new belt had snapped.

© Chris Watt / UNP 0845 600 7737

“I had to call my breakdown provider for the first time in 13 years,” Chris said. He felt MG hadn’t delivered him a car that was up to standard, and wanted to reject the vehicle. MG, however, concluded there were no mechanical faults with the car, the rust issues had been solved by a repaint, while the clunk in the suspension was described as a “characteristic of the car” by an MG spokeswoman.

Chris contacted Carbuyer’s sister magazine Auto Express for help, and simultaneously proceeded with an independent inspection of his MG3. Unfortunately for Chris, the report agreed with MG’s verdict – no manufacturing defects were found. Auto Express, however, made the point that while the vehicle is fault free, it has still been a burden for Chris, and a goodwill gesture would be appropriate given his continuous use of the MG dealer network.

MG agreed, and decided to give Chris the next two services for free, on top of the £200 he was paid in compensation for the rust problems. An MG spokeswoman said: “While no faults were found with the car, we still want to do the best we can for our customers, which is why we have offered Mr Cuthill the next two services free of charge.”

Chris concluded: “While not exactly what I had wished for, this does give me peace of mind when it comes to my next service.”

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

MG3 review – affordable, efficient and fun-to-drive supermini
MG3
In-depth reviews
17 Oct 2024

MG3 review – affordable, efficient and fun-to-drive supermini

Official first look at MG’s new electric family SUV!
New MG electric SUV front
News
16 Oct 2024

Official first look at MG’s new electric family SUV!

Top 10 best small hybrid cars 2024
Best small hybrid cars
Best cars
28 Aug 2024

Top 10 best small hybrid cars 2024

Best cars for under £300 per month – top 10 in 2024
Cars for 300 a month
Best cars
24 Jul 2024

Best cars for under £300 per month – top 10 in 2024

Most Popular

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door
BMW M235 Gran Coupe front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: details and first drive of the sleek executive four-door

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
29 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s Black Friday offers

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof
Audi SQ5 Sportback front quarter
News
26 Nov 2024

New Audi Q5 Sportback lands with SUV stance and a swoopy roof

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024