Audi A3 burst in to flames 24 hours after purchase

[Leigh Ross]

Hi new member from north yorks. So my first audi experience started on Friday when I purchased a 2000 plate audi A3 1.8t ( after searching for something turbo for a while ) I purchased it off a used car dealer who out a fresh mot for me and 30 day warrenty.. Everything went well for the first 23.5 hours then whilst driving with my 4 yr old child in the car it decided to burst into flames..scary stuff lol thankfully no one was injured and the fire was extinguished ASAP without too much damage. Currently tryin to get my money back but I just know they are going to try everything no to refund me.

but I will not let this defeat me I will be buying another audi ASAP as the time I had with it I absolutely loved... Hope to get some future advice form you all so thought I would get myself known before I need it. I will upload some pics tomoz at some point

[EssexGonzo]

Glad to hear you and your kid are OK.

Unless they can prove you started the fire it does not sound like they have a leg to stand on. Less than a day? Hardly sounds like "fit for purpose".......

If they resist, you just need to hold firm and take it to the next level. Starting with the small claims court. You don't need lawyers etc for the first step. Just be clear about what you want and don't forget costs of recovery etc.

[Leigh Ross]

Yeah it was a bit of a strange going no warning nothing to give any suspicions of any problems.. I don't think they have sold me th car knowing this would happen but it still happened... Currently looking for another to replace it with but it is a real shame as it was a lovely car really good nick for the year... Going to ring trading standards this morning before I ring the garage back as they are already trying to get me to claim off my insurance lol will keep you updated..

[Eshrules]

Hi new member from north yorks. So my first audi experience started on Friday when I purchased a 2000 plate audi A3 1.8t ( after searching for something turbo for a while ) I purchased it off a used car dealer who out a fresh mot for me and 30 day warrenty.. Everything went well for the first 23.5 hours then whilst driving with my 4 yr old child in the car it decided to burst into flames..scary stuff lol thankfully no one was injured and the fire was extinguished ASAP without too much damage. Currently tryin to get my money back but I just know they are going to try everything no to refund me.

but I will not let this defeat me I will be buying another audi ASAP as the time I had with it I absolutely loved... Hope to get some future advice form you all so thought I would get myself known before I need it. I will upload some pics tomoz at some point

Yeah it was a bit of a strange going no warning nothing to give any suspicions of any problems.. I don't think they have sold me th car knowing this would happen but it still happened... Currently looking for another to replace it with but it is a real shame as it was a lovely car really good nick for the year... Going to ring trading standards this morning before I ring the garage back as they are already trying to get me to claim off my insurance lol will keep you updated..

Erm - Just a quick question from me.

Why are we assuming it is a) the dealers fault the car set on fire? b) the dealers responsibility to refund?

What was the cause of fire?

I suspect the citizens advice bureau (you can't contact TS directly any more) will suggest you get an inspection completed to ascertain the cause of fire - unless you can prove it's as a direct result of negligence on the dealers behalf, it will end up being an insurance claim.

IMHO

[EssexGonzo]

I don't think anyone is assuming that.

However, a consumer is not required to prove direct negligence merely that the vehicle was not fit to be retailed in the condition that it was due to some sort of fault which caused the fire. I think the insurance co will be looking in the dealer's direction too.

If the gearbox had failed after 23.5 hours I don't think you'd be asking the same question - it would be perceived as more cut and dried.

Agree 're the inspection though.

Unless the fire was caused by the OP dropping a fag end on the carpet ........

[Eshrules]

My point is that a vehicle fire can be caused by anything.

If a severe mechanical failure ocurred less than a day after buying a vehicle from a dealer you can bet your sweet behind I'd be back on the dealer forecourt making my case.

But a vehicle fire that writes off a car is a whole different kettle of fish.

I recall reading an article about vehicle fires and insurance claims and I'm sure one of the leading causes was wiring faults.

Try as they might, no dealer could check every single in a vehicle before sale and it would be (IMHO) incredibly difficult to hold them accountable for such a thing.

If, on the other hand, an oily rag was left on the battery and that was found to be the cause of fire, it would be a very different tale.

I was suggesting the OP exercise caution in pointing the finger before the exact cause of fire is known - false accusations get nobody anywhere.

I suspect the insurance company will conduct an inspection of their own anyway.

Genuinely interested to hear what CAB had to say as I don't remember seeing this issue before on VWAF and it'd be nice to see how it's handled.

[Leigh Ross]

Let me assure you the fact it set in fire was in no way my fault all I did was drive it . I'm not a 21 yr old boy racer I am 27 yr old family man who had his wife and child I the car... Upon closer inspection it loos as if oil has come from somewhere( possibly failed inner cv joint) and managed to get on the downpipe... But this is only from looking untill I hear back from the dealership I am not touching it... I am not saying this is the dealerships fault I am not blaming anyone... What I am saying is the dealership has a resposabilty to ensure all their vehicles are supposed to be checked over... It looks like in this case it wasn't.... The bloke who sold me it has already admitted that the mot tester cut corners with emissions so what other corners did they cut......

Also on closer inspection today it seems that all the engine and gearbox are fine even down to the electrics still working.. But would require all pipe work and wires changing to be safe also to pinpoint the problem that started it...

I bought of a forecourt to try and top something like this happening
under the sale of goods act I pretty mch have them over a barrel

[Eshrules]

Let me assure you the fact it set in fire was in no way my fault all I did was drive it . I'm not a 21 yr old boy racer I am 27 yr old family man who had his wife and child I the car... Upon closer inspection it loos as if oil has come from somewhere( possibly failed inner cv joint) and managed to get on the downpipe... But this is only from looking untill I hear back from the dealership I am not touching it... I am not saying this is the dealerships fault I am not blaming anyone... What I am saying is the dealership has a resposabilty to ensure all their vehicles are supposed to be checked over... It looks like in this case it wasn't.... The bloke who sold me it has already admitted that the mot tester cut corners with emissions so what other corners did they cut......

Also on closer inspection today it seems that all the engine and gearbox are fine even down to the electrics still working.. But would require all pipe work and wires changing to be safe also to pinpoint the problem that started it...

I bought of a forecourt to try and top something like this happening
under the sale of goods act I pretty mch have them over a barrel

What did CAB advise you to do and how has your insurance responded?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Leigh Ross]

What did CAB advise you to do and how has your insurance responded?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

There was not other damage to any other car or person so of or the reason I am not prepared to put my premiums throughout he roof... I am yet to hear back from CAB.. But I have been advised by a solicitor to take the car back and dump it on the forecourt as it is there problem not mine... All I did was pay good money for a car on the pretence that it was fit for the road... Considering it happened Within 24 hours the dealership doesn't have a leg to stand on... I am not asking the forecourt for anymore than I'm owed which is either a refund or repair according to the sale of goods act

[Eshrules]

There was not other damage to any other car or person so of or the reason I am not prepared to put my premiums throughout he roof... I am yet to hear back from CAB.. But I have been advised by a solicitor to take the car back and dump it on the forecourt as it is there problem not mine... All I did was pay good money for a car on the pretence that it was fit for the road... Considering it happened Within 24 hours the dealership doesn't have a leg to stand on... I am not asking the forecourt for anymore than I'm owed which is either a refund or repair according to the sale of goods act

Have the CAB assigned you a case number and when did they say they'd get back to you by? It might be wise holding off returning the vehicle until you've heard back from them.

The problem with you citing the SoGA 1989 (as amended) is that you haven't ascertained the cause of fire.

If the dealership decides it was something you did, or something you picked up off the road - where does that leave you?

If it were me, I'd be getting it independently inspected to ascertain the cause of fire so that if the dealership contests it, you have an impartial third party to help support your case.

The reason I mentioned the insurance is because you said the vehicle had burst into flames - I thought at the very least you would have to inform them.

How much damage has been done? Do you have any pictures?