Is our Porsche’s wheel issue cause for a full refund?
In our regular Ask the Expert series, the Telegraph’s motoring expert weighs in on your car dilemmas to save you money and make your driving life easier
Dear Alex,
Having both turned 60 last year, my wife and I treated ourselves to a Porsche 911 GTS. However, last Friday Porsche called to tell us that we had to stop driving the car due to a fault with the wheel fastening. The dealer offered us a hire car, but appears to have no idea when they will be able to remedy the problem. We are very disappointed, having spent so much money. Would we be able to demand a full refund?
– GM
Dear GM,
This recall, issued recently by Porsche, relates to the centrelock wheels fitted to your 911, which may become loose, leading to the potential loss of a wheel while in motion.
Thus far, I have to say it sounds like Porsche has acted entirely properly. Bear in mind that it has probably only just become aware of the issue itself; it takes time to work out a solution, as doing so will likely involve designing, homologating and manufacturing new parts – hardly the work of a moment.
It has informed you of the problem now, rather than waiting until it has a fix, thereby preventing you from driving a potentially unsafe car – again, the right thing to do.
And with the above in mind, I can understand why Porsche isn’t able to estimate how long a remedy might take – it probably has no idea itself, as yet.
I understand that it’s frustrating to be deprived of a car you’ve spent so much money on, but Porsche is prioritising safety over cost, which is admirable.
Clearly, it won’t want to fork out for hire cars for its customers for a moment longer than it absolutely has to – so I suspect it will roll out a fix as soon as it has one.
In any case, I can’t see this being grounds for rejection of the car with a full refund – and once the recall action has been carried out, it is highly unlikely the car’s value will be affected in the long term.