Purchased Used Land Rover without RWC - Can't Get RWC Due to Oil Leak

getk on 27/09/2024 - 18:51
Last edited 27/09/2024 - 19:38 by 1 other user

Hi friends, my brother family bought a second hand car (Land Rover) in VIC for cira $20,000. It has registration till next month.

But due to urgency, they bought it from private seller as it was good car (by looks of it) and didn't do RWC from the seller and seller was moving state. The car was transferred into his name as per VicRoads. (One of the greatest mistakes to buy car without RWC).

But in the RWC test, it failed due to Oil Leak in engine. The RWC garage couldn't fix it, so took to LandRover(JLR) main office and paid approximately $1500 to fix it. But this failed again RWC as the oil leak didn't fix! (doh). So went again to JLR and the new quote is circa $6000+! That's too much and can't afford it

Now it's in Limbo now as transferring to his name FULLY ; the car needs mandatory RWC

So the options which came our mind are (or questions rather):

  • Fix from JLR ($6000+) and not worth it
  • Do it in another garage. Sent few quotes/queries to them. Time is running out as VicRoads have 14days limit of transferring
  • Can he claim on insurance? He got comprehensive insurance
  • Can he sell it to dealers and get some money and get a hit? Will dealers/buyers accept without fully transferred to his name?

Any advice/options would be greatly appreciated

Automotive Land Rover

Comments

  • oscargamer on 27/09/2024 - 18:53
    +51

    My advice is not helpful.

    1. Pay to get it fixed properly then enjoy it.
    2. Give it to a friend (that you don't like)
    3. There is no number 3
    • Sinnerator on 28/09/2024 - 08:42
      +32
      1. Buying a used or new land rover, oofff
  • MS Paint on 27/09/2024 - 18:58
    +41

    @pegaxs is going to lose his shit with this.

    🍿

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/09/2024 - 19:05
      +13

      On a Friday night too. Give the man a break.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 27/09/2024 - 21:43
        +14

        Uncle Ian can probably take a look tomorra.

        • pegaxs on 27/09/2024 - 23:10
          +12

          It’s Sat’dy t’morra, so bring a carton of piss and a box of darts and Uncle Ian will get yah sorted…

          • Drakesy on 29/09/2024 - 23:13
            +2

            @pegaxs: Guessing it'll be the usual so no lube required?

    • Baysew on 27/09/2024 - 19:29
      +3

      Put the invisibility cloak over the thread.

      • mapax on 27/09/2024 - 19:31
        +4

        Nah, find a Scotty K clip and link it here.

    • Baysew on 27/09/2024 - 19:48
      +97

      I will post a previous response again here. That way if he sees it, he might think it is an old thread.
      ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-pegaxs on 24/10/2019 - 18:38 +46

      I'm glad you asked… inhales

      For the record, I worked for a Land Rover dealer as a technician/Leading hand/service advisor. I worked there from when Land Rover was owned by Rover, then sold to BMW and then parted out and sold to Ford.

      Off the bat, let's just say that there was never any shortage of work. Between the oil leaks, coolant leaks, water ingress issues, rattles, gearbox and transfer case rebuilds, electrical problems, poorly fitted panels, chassis cracking, body cracking… and the list goes on, we were always busy. The only time there was any sign of relief was when BMW took ownership of the company for a short time and it was like they changed overnight. The quality was second to none. It was on a par with BMW's own vehicles.

      Well… then they parted Rover out, kept Mini and sold Jag and Land Rover to Ford. And lets face it, they may as well have given the manufacture back to Rover Group. The only reliable parts on the vehicles were the left over tech from what BMW supplied to them, such as the engines and moving from Lucas electrical gear.

      The issues were always parts supply. Even small, common type items were never in storage and vehicles were quite routinely taken from storage and stripped for parts. And I needn't get started on pricing for these parts.

      Warranty was always an issue. As soon as that magic day dropped, your warranty ended. We have people on their 3rd or 4th Land Rover who were coming in for very common issues only just weeks out of warranty and Land Rover just didn't want a bar of it. The after sales support from the Aust. importer/representative left a lot to be desired.

      Now, today, Land Rover is owned by a shell company that hides who really owns them. They will tell you it is owned by "Jaguar Land Rover", when in fact, the owners are Tata Motors. Because of the very average build quality associated with Indian made vehicles and Tata, they made up another company that people would feel more comfortable owning a vehicle from. Hence, "Jaguar Land Rover" was born.

      Next is the badge trading shit that goes on. It isn't a "Discovery Sport" it's a "re-badged Freelander". it isn't a "Range Rover Evoke", it's a "re-badged Freelander". The problem with that is, no one ever bought Freelanders. They were possibly one of the worst selling vehicles Rover introduced. They were horrible shit boxes with more problem than we had answers for. A truly terrible vehicle. I lost count of how many engines and gear boxes I replaced in "Freelanders". So, to offset this horrible stigma they had attached to them, The Freelander badge was dropped and converted to "Discovery Sport" and "Range Rover Evoke."

      Also realise that these vehicles come from places you wouldn't normally associate with building quality cars. China (along side Chery. Yes "that" Chery), India and Brazil. Sure, some are made in the UK, but that would more likely be "domestic market" units. Ours here would more likely come from India and China due to shipping costs.

      Sure, If you are cruising around the neighbourhood and you want that street cred that a green oval badge can bring you, sure, have at it. But know, under that green oval hides the heart of an absolute shitbox. A company that has been passed on through several owners because they cant keep up with it. Know that the resale value will fall faster than a $5 strippers knickers at a $10 party. You are paying for a badge and that is it. The rest is made in India/China. They are paying 3rd world production costs and selling at European quality prices.

      So, if you're happy forking out $66k on what is essential the re-badging of a failed line of products, then be my guest.

      • Protractor on 27/09/2024 - 21:08
        +11

        Well they certainly match Fords DNA

      • pegaxs on 27/09/2024 - 23:11
        +26

        Cheers for that, I was about to link to it myself, but you’ve already done the lord’s work… :D

      • Leem87 on 28/09/2024 - 18:56
        +5

        this reply is why I am on Oz bargains

        • MS Paint on 28/09/2024 - 19:07
          -2

          What is Oz bargains?

      • Smol Cat on 28/09/2024 - 23:01
        +7

        Had no idea Land Rovers were such hidden shit boxes. Always thought they seemed “fancy”, guess I was one of those idiot Poors who was easily fooled.

      • maverickjohn on 29/09/2024 - 22:52
        +1

        Ha people kept saying I'm dreaming when I commend BMWs mechanical reliability. I've owned the little bimmer for 4 years (2020 model)
        And it runs like a dream so much better than my Renault or other cars I've owned (Ford, Holden …. Even Toyota).. the only car to hold a candle to it was the cars predecessor the 2016 Honda Civic vtiL.
        Still not as good but that car went well as well

        • greatlamp on 01/10/2024 - 16:55
          -1

          As someone who has owned a couple of BMW's plus several of my family members, BMWs are reliable cars. Much more reliable than Ford or Holden were, especially in the 90s and 2000s.

          The layout inside the car and of parts under the hood is well thought out, better than most cars.

          Servicing is exorbitant mainly because mechanics are unethical. I think that is enough reason to avoid them if you are looking for worry free motoring.

          • Drakesy on 01/10/2024 - 17:08
            +4

            @greatlamp:

            As someone who has owned a couple of BMW's plus several of my family members, BMWs are reliable cars.

            I beg to differ

            Have had 2 friends buy BMW's:
            First one got to 5 years old before the first turbo went - New engine job, got rid of it shortly after.
            Second one got to 8 years old before the electrics went, gaskets went, injectors went, seals were cooked, automatic was on its last legs - effectively $10k in repairs.

            Both averaged ~$2k in repairs a year up until then. Now one drives a Mitsubishi, the other drives a Toyota.

            • greatlamp on 01/10/2024 - 17:27

              @Drakesy: Doesn't surprise me to be honest, I think the most reliable ones were the e36 series sold in the 90s and it's gone downhill ever since they started putting turbos on 4cyl engines.

              My first one was 19 years old when I sold it. The one I drive now is 14 years old.

          • maverickjohn on 01/10/2024 - 19:49

            @greatlamp: i bought my wife the bmw 218i.
            honestly it has not skipped a beat. it drives flawlessly knocks on wood, and yet to have a problem.
            I want to get the m340 as my next car just because of how good this little car is.. and i researched the engine in the m340 is used by toyota in the supra as well, so BMW are definitely reliable again.

            • greatlamp on 01/10/2024 - 23:25
              +1

              @maverickjohn: I would say get one before they stop making them. The straight 6 has always been reliable, and the fact that it's now used in the Toyota supra is an even bigger plus. That means two teams of engineers have looked over it.

              I wouldn't expect engine problems, I was referring to common issues with plastic parts under the hood deteriorating due to heat stress, the hoses, radiators, air flow components tend to fail eventually. I don't know if it's an issue anymore they may have fixed it with better materials

      • brenwildman on 30/09/2024 - 14:08
        +2

        I recently had to retire my 2001 LR Freelander at ~280k. It always leaked oil but that probably extended the engine life by forcing more frequent oil replacement. Deterioration of plastics, rubber, tubes etc. had made it unreliable to own but the engine was fine.
        It only ever got serviced by a mechanic once and then just minor stuff myself in the 12 years I owned it. I will be chuffed if my new car lasts that long.
        Just like a doctor will have a distorted view from seeing sick people everyday, a mechanic will think every car is a shit box. That's just my anecdotal experience but it wouldn't buy a car without RWC in the first place.

      • blitz on 01/10/2024 - 14:26
        +1

        under that green oval hides the heart of an absolute shitbox

        Stern but fair.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 27/09/2024 - 21:42
      +2

      Mandatory: https://tenor.com/biVzf.gif

  • SBOB on 27/09/2024 - 19:00
    +21

    I do love a good 'learn a valuable lesson' story….

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/09/2024 - 19:07
    +25

    Can he claim on insurance? He got comprehensive insurance

    … what?

    • Gunnar on 27/09/2024 - 19:14
      +1

      Extended warranty?

    • websterp on 28/09/2024 - 00:05
      +13

      After reading this I'm definitely claiming my next service on Insurance. And a new set of tires too…Winning!!!

    • Chandler on 29/09/2024 - 19:51
      +3

      Han: That's not how the Force insurance works!

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 29/09/2024 - 20:00
        +2

        Reading the pds explains the pds

        • Chandler on 29/09/2024 - 20:07
          +3

          I wonder if the PDS for the Force specifies unexpected pregnancies…

    • Drakesy on 01/10/2024 - 17:11
      +2

      Insurance providers hate this one simple trick!

  • TEER3X on 27/09/2024 - 19:12
    +16

    Make sure you tell the mechanic it's urgent that you need a RWC…. They should have plenty of lube in their shop when they get you to bend over.

  • Jaduqimon on 27/09/2024 - 19:15
    +13

    Yes set it on fire and claim it under comprehensive insurance…

    ****Not

  • Gunnar on 27/09/2024 - 19:18
    +6

    Not much recourse on this I’m afraid. Prepare to pay a lot and just put it down to experience (regardless of where it is). Did you get where the oil leak is from in the RWC check?

    If you’re selling it to a dealer then be prepared to lose a lot of your $20k

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/09/2024 - 19:32
      +12

      Put it in H!

      • Gunnar on 27/09/2024 - 20:52
        +4

        What the OP’s brother is something that will go 300 hectres on a single tank of kerosene

    • getk on 27/09/2024 - 20:08

      thanks for the advice.

      • Gunnar on 27/09/2024 - 21:08
        +2

        Looking at what you’ve posted below about the leaks it will be an expensive fix. Good Luck woth ot and hope it’s not too stressful!

        • getk on 27/09/2024 - 22:35

          thank you for the kind words and indeed it is stressful (it's almost all of their year's savings). Was quite devasted by other comments here while asking for help.

          • TheOtherLeft on 28/09/2024 - 09:26
            +20

            @getk: They spent a years savings on a Land Rover out of warranty and no RWC???? Did they need street cred that badly?

          • brad1-8tsi on 30/09/2024 - 16:03
            +3

            @getk:

            Was quite devasted by other comments here while asking for help.

            Do you genuinely think people are being mean?

            Did they do no research? There are so many red flags and examples "just plain dumb" (no pre-purchase inspection, no RWC when it's almosy mandatory in Vic) in the story you've told that it's no wonder there is little sympathy for his plight.

  • JimmyF on 27/09/2024 - 19:49
    +13

    Time is running out as VicRoads have 14days limit of transferring

    Keep shopping around until you find a RWC testing place that will just write you one without even looking at the car ;)

    Can he claim on insurance? He got comprehensive insurance

    LOL That isn't how insurance works for repairs.

    • JakeyJooJoo on 29/09/2024 - 21:16
      +6

      This is the real answer.

      Get the rwc, reregister it for the year, then sell the lemon POS for a loss before bleeding more. With the cash buy a comparable jap or kor SUV.

      • brandt on 01/10/2024 - 15:05

        2025 Hyundai Palisade, its a Range Rover without the badge and the ensuing quality issues.

  • NevC on 27/09/2024 - 19:49

    Where is it leaking oil from? May be a cheap fix for it.

    • getk on 27/09/2024 - 20:05

      thanks for helping out. The details provided after diag is
      "found oil leaking from lower timing cover (around lower timing cover to cylinder head and possible rear main leak or lower timing cover chemical seal to engine block) Cylinder head gasket to lower timing cover has been previously sealed with RTV sealant, the cylinder head gasket will require inspection for any damage when timing cover is removed"

      • MS Paint on 27/09/2024 - 20:10
        +5

        Did the person who performed the pre purchase inspection not identifying this leak?

      • NevC on 27/09/2024 - 20:11
        +35

        Note where oil leaks are now. Give the engine a thorough clean.and inspect again after driving. Clean these areas then apply some RTV sealant in these areas. Inspect again after driving again. Apply more sealant if needed. If you get it to a stage where it will pass a RWC then you have time to decide to fix it properly or not.

        • getk on 27/09/2024 - 20:12

          Valuable reply. Thank you again

          • NevC on 27/09/2024 - 20:16
            +3

            @getk: If rear main is leaking that will be an expensive fix on any vehicle. If there is a drain hole in that area, seal it for now. Remove after RWC.

            • Protractor on 27/09/2024 - 20:58
              +2

              @NevC: … and continue to reduce the number of motor cyclists on the road…

        • MS Paint on 27/09/2024 - 20:16
          +5

          Dampness, weeping or
          staining are acceptable, but fluid leaking
          from the underside of the vehicle to
          such an extent that it is likely to drop on
          the road surface (if the vehicle is parked
          or idling stationary) is unacceptable.

          VicRoads oil leak roadworthy standard

        • KingJuf on 27/09/2024 - 23:33
          +2

          Agree do exactly this first. Clean from above and below with degreaser and water (whilst engine is not warm) and avoid electronics.

      • Alley Cat on 01/10/2024 - 13:26

        I have found the game “Car Mechanic Simulator” to be very helpful in understanding car mechanics. If you or your mate can find the exact model in the game, it can definitely help you understand what’s going on. You might just find an alternative solution. Good luck 🤞

        • blitz on 01/10/2024 - 17:39

          To be fair, OP is already LARPing Car Mechanic Simulator

  • Fredfloresjr on 27/09/2024 - 19:56
    +3

    Don't forget to add $6 for a packet of Panadol for the headache.

    • BargainMe on 29/09/2024 - 19:27
      +5

      You're paying too much for paracetamol.

      • JakeyJooJoo on 29/09/2024 - 21:18
        +1

        Panamax is life.
        It's surprising the amount of smart people that buy panadol paracetamol.

        Panadol.. Solid marketing.

        • idonotknowwhy on 30/09/2024 - 12:12
          +4

          Panadol works better for me due to the placebo effect.

          • holdenmg on 30/09/2024 - 12:35

            @idonotknowwhy: Oh, I figured the $6 worth of Panadol/Panamax would be mixed with the oil to stop leaks.

            or Polyfilla.

  • 7ekn00 on 27/09/2024 - 21:06
    +3

    Roll it going around a corner, insurance will cover the lot :P

    Might want to clean the engine first, then can claim it wasn't there before you rolled it …

  • Dollar General on 27/09/2024 - 21:21
    +4

    Take it elsewhere for the RWC and give them $1,000 to pass it. Plenty of them exist

    • altomic on 28/09/2024 - 15:52
      +2

      there are places that will give a RWC with out even seeing the vehicle.

      • MS Paint on 28/09/2024 - 17:56
        +5

        Next to impossible in Vic. The RWC assessment centre is required to upload photos of checks performed directly to the VicRoads server.

  • pegaxs on 27/09/2024 - 23:04
    +36

    Hahahahhaahhaahhhahahaahah…

    Holy shit. A used Land Rover. With an oil leak you say…

    As an ex-Land Rover dealer mechanic for many years, can I just say, you are in for a world of pain and oil leaks… $20k and it already needs $6k worth of work.

    Sorry for your loss. Hope the perceived street-creed of that green and gold oval was worth it…

    • elgrande on 27/09/2024 - 23:15
      +10

      Is this a shortened version of your previous comment above? 🤣

    • azonki on 28/09/2024 - 08:54
      +4

      Worked for a Leyland/Rover/Mini dealer in the 70's.
      Had to put a second hand transfer case from a write-off into a brand new Range Rover under "warranty".
      On another note, I think TaTa got their name from the Service Manager's response when dealing with a customer warranty problem.

      • holdenmg on 28/09/2024 - 09:31
        +11

        I thought TaTa name was from waving your money goodbye.

      • pegaxs on 28/09/2024 - 09:37
        +26

        Yep. The amount of times we had to call any of the Land Rover wreckers to try and chase a part for a “warranty” fix was staggering.

        Almost always, the “just out of warranty good will repair” was just us swapping something from one of the used vehicles on the lot or ringing the wrecker to see if they had one.

        We had a warranty bin that we had to keep up to 6 months if any engineer from Land Rover wanted to inspect any part that had been replaced and it wasn’t unusual for us to go diving in there to find replacement parts for current jobs.

        Any used vehicle that were under “statutory warranty” never got new parts and never got genuine parts. They always received used parts or aftermarket parts.

        The managers used to take all the big ticket items from warranty, and instead of destroying them, would take them and sell them to their mates and to LROC members. I lost count of the times I was fitting a used, warranty replaced part onto some managers mates vehicle.

        During some services, you were allowed only 1/2 the amount of time it took to do the service. A B40 service on a diesel auto Discovery would take all day and you would be allocated 3.5 hours, so a lot of the mechanics would just skip shit and wash parts down with brake clean to make it look like they replaced it.

        Out of all the stealerships I worked for in my younger years, LR was by far the most evil and most toxic by far.

    • magic8ballgag on 28/09/2024 - 09:00
      -4

      Do you ever reply to a forum where you aren't mocking or berating the OP?

      • brendanm on 28/09/2024 - 09:29
        +17

        It's hard to do anything else when the OP more often than not needs mocking or berating.

        • pegaxs on 28/09/2024 - 09:45
          +27

          I like to think of it as a warning to others thinking of doing the same thing.

          And who the (fropanity) buys a Land Rover with “urgency”?

          Who doesn’t get online and search for that vehicle model and common problems?

          This has all the hallmarks of a scam. Owner “moving”, needs to sell/buy “urgently”, no RWC supplied.

          This is 100% on OP.

          • Pelicannn on 28/09/2024 - 17:13
            +3

            @pegaxs: I bet they didn’t even do a PPSR check either.

            • MS Paint on 28/09/2024 - 17:57
              +18

              @Pelicannn: Next thread.

              Our unroadworthy Land Rover has $20k finance owing from previous owner. HELP!

            • smartazz104 on 29/09/2024 - 10:34
              +1

              @Pelicannn: They didn’t need to, they should have spotted the “Land Rover” badge and moved on.

        • magic8ballgag on 30/09/2024 - 17:06
          -3

          And this attitude is exactly what is wrong with this website, specifically the forums. We may as well be on Whirlpool or better yet, Reddit.

      • OZKap on 28/09/2024 - 16:44
        +5

        Nobody ever posts to ozbargain "I did my research on my used car purchase, got a RWC before purchasing, and even got the seller to knock off a few hundred because the tyres were worn"

        • websterp on 28/09/2024 - 17:11

          Not forgetting the pre-purchase inspection…

          • BartholemewH on 29/09/2024 - 22:35

            @websterp: Then he got a cover note from his insurer before he drive it home, can't be too careful.

            • MS Paint on 29/09/2024 - 22:37

              @BartholemewH: I thought cover notes stopped being a thing in the 90's?

              • BartholemewH on 29/09/2024 - 22:44

                @MS Paint: Don't know, use a broker and will email the Vin to him, with reg as TBA, and it's covered when he replies 'no worries'. Approximates a cover note for me.

                • MS Paint on 29/09/2024 - 23:04
                  +1

                  @BartholemewH: Fair enough. Most, if not all insurance companies, now just offer cooling off periods now vice cover notes.

      • FocusRider on 30/09/2024 - 09:55

        Mr know it all apparently.

      • brad1-8tsi on 30/09/2024 - 16:07

        Do you ever reply to a forum where you aren't mocking or berating the OP?

        Should we take up a collection or applaud a lack of research and poor decisions. I bet they don't even go 4WDing

        • magic8ballgag on 30/09/2024 - 17:05

          If you truly believe we can only congratulate or mock each other, then I feel sorry for you and your narrow mind.

  • websterp on 27/09/2024 - 23:55
    +6

    But due to urgency, they bought it from private seller

    And yet you bought a used land rover! Not something you should even buy brand new!!!

    and seller was moving state

    Sure….

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