What would others do?

We purchased a 2012 sd4 HSE 3 weeks ago from a reputable dealer who sourced it for us from their dealership in Warwick...it was returned a week later because of what has turned out to be a failed rear diff...it is possible that LR Warranty will NOT authorise repairs if they are not happy with any pre-sales checks...this could lead to the Warranty becoming null and void which means we would have to reject the car...even if they authorise the repair you begin to wonder what else could be wrong...what would others do in our position I wonder?

PS should add that the dealership (Guy Salmon in Thames Ditton ) have told us nothing so far despite repeated chasing...

Welcome to the forum and feel free to introduce yourself. As for the issue the complaint is with the seller not providing you with a serviceable vehicle. Regardless of warranty the seller must provide proof the vehicle is fit and proper on sale. When the Land Rover leaves the factory it requires set service and monitoring over millage cover for wear. If at anytime under warranty a major failure occurs like yours a Product Recall is queried for said item. Hence being guaranteed under warranty. By sounds of you seller is third party instead of main dealer so sale of goods act applies unless Sold as Seen is flagged were the onus is on the buyer.

Reject the vehicle as it's not fit for purpose. If you paid using a credit card or some other load where a credit agreement is involved, you might be able to use there power to get the issues resolved.

There are various problems reported with the F2, as you would expect with any car, and generally I think they are pretty "OK".

However, the number 1 standout fault BY FAR is the rear diff. It is the defacto problem for F2. In the early years from 07 to 10 they were particularly c**p and LR should have done a recall - but didn't. It has meant that, what seams like, every F2 of that generation has had an owner having to do battle with dealers and LR direct to get some compensation. A 2012 car "should" have a much more reliable diff - but obviously not that reliable.

So, the rear diff is no indication of the condition of other parts of the car. It may be a perfectly healthy and well looked after car - but the rear diff lives its own life and causes all the pain. If you get it sorted properly - and on a 4 year old car I'd be wanting it replaced with a new unit - it is no indication that the car is going to be a "bad one"....

Just expect the diff to go again in another 2, 4, 6 or 8 years.

If I'm wrong in my assessment of the F2 diff, I'm sure people will say.

To me if as you say expect more failing then I would hammer on the door of Land Rover themselves for an explanation. For an expensive model still and a integral part of the drive train at Land Rover management should be kicking up a big fuss. Are our American cousins complaining also for issue like this?

I'm thinking of buying a Freelander 2. How common is rear diff failure, and how can I tell on a test drive if there's a problem?

wattfield said:

I'm thinking of buying a Freelander 2. How common is rear diff failure, and how can I tell on a test drive if there's a problem?

Click to expand...

If its an 07-10 car then definitely make sure the diff has been replaced or had considerable work done on it and time has elapsed to make sure its sorted. Even then I think I'd be expecting to have to do major work on it within a few years.

Best bet, regardless of year, would be to buy it at the 'right price' less the cost of a diff!

Bells do a recon unit I believe - whether its strengthened as well I don't know. @austen

UPDATE...Thankfully Car Care Plan were happy with the pre-sales checks done up North and validated the Warranty...so whole diff being replaced...I had considered rejecting the car but to get an absolute cracker (this only has 26k on the clock) with all the bells and whistles is as rare as hens teeth, especially at a reasonable price...as the 12 year old customer services agent said when he finally rang last night "well at least you have warranty"...

That's cool. Hopefully it will turn out to be a 'good en'.

With new parts supplied by LR (ie your new diff) you get a 2 year warranty on that as a part as well.