HELP! You ask me

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Aug 5, 2007 | by QUENTIN WILLSON

Q I BOUGHT an 04-plate Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi from a local Ford dealership last year. As I was going on holiday, it went in for its service and MoT in June, when I also asked to have the cambelt changed. I was told the belt only needed to be replaced every 100,000 miles or ten years, so it wasn't renewed. On the way back from holiday, the belt went and there was water everywhere, so I was relayed home by Green Flag. To make matters worse, my warranty has expired, and I am dreading a monster bill. Should this have happened so soon after the service? Who's at fault? - Cynthia Sullivan, email

A GIVEN your Fiesta's age, you were right to ask for the new belt, because three years and 60,000 miles is plenty. If the garage told you not to change it, they could be held liable for the damage. But if they simply informed you of the maker's recommended interval it's going to be hard to hold them accountable. But I'd certainly push for a goodwill gesture as it's clear you were poorly advised.

Q TWO months ago I bought a V-reg BMW 735i from a trader for pounds 8,950. I put it in for a service and was told that it's a Category C write-off, something the seller failed to mention. The garage also says the insurance would only pay out a fraction of its value if the car is involved in another smash. Now I know all this, I want rid of it. Can I sue the trader? - PG, email

A THE bad news is that there is no legal requirement for vendors to declare accident history. You really should have HPI-checked the 735 yourself, rather than relying on the word of some shabby trader. You paid retail money, so if the car wasn't deliberately misdescribed to you, I'm afraid you're going to have to bite the bullet when you sell. Whatever happens, sellers must be straight with buyers.