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Recently bought a Toyota Landcruiser from a dealer. It is a very nice 1998 vehicle. I couldn't find much wrong with it. The tyres looked good and I anticipated that we might replace them in a years time.
We went away on a trip to Golden Bay and noticed a slight pull to the left. Checked but couldn't see anything. on the way home it became more pronounced and a damp road made it worse.Finally I found a bulge in the left front tyre. We were not too far from home so we continued on it. We got home ok and next day I noticed that the tyre had delaminated all the way round on one side.
Back to the dealer who offered to pay for half a tyre, at that time we bought another one se we would have a matching pair of new tyres on the front.
Some friends arrived to stay and we decided to do some day trips. First day to West Coast, no problem. Second day to Kerekerengu north of Kaikoura, a wobble started at the back, on inspection another tyre had bulged. Put the spare on.
Third day trip from ChCh to Rangiora then across the gorges to Methven. Just out of Rakaia another rear end wobble started, this time serious. Pulled over and started to change wheel when it blew out. Put on previous days bulged tyre and got onto the Rakaia bridge when the tyre started another rear end wobble. Crawled off the bridge and parked off the road and then watched as this tyre bulged out the side and blew out. Bugger.
Ring the AA who were brilliant and they got us trucked home.
On contacting the dealer he said he would pay for one tyre but it was actually WEAR and TEAR. We have done a total of just on 3 thousand kms on these tyres which although they looked ok with minor perishing were 14 years old. They passed entry inspections and wof.
What should we expect from the dealer.
Hi there,
Yes it is correct they are wear and tear items that are inspected and pass on the day of inspection.
However, the key scenario is that you have not long purchased a vehicle from a dealer and so this vehicle must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose as one would reasonably expect when taking into account the vehicle age, mileage, condition and price paid. If in the end no agreement is reached, you may seek loses in a dispute tribunal.