A 23-year-old driver was reportedly surprised after his car caught fire just one week after purchasing it from a dealership. Mohammed Khan recounted hearing a “loud bang” before his Ford Fiesta caught fire on Douglas Road, Handsworth, on 17 January.
Mr Khan, a business development manager, stated that the Ford was a replacement vehicle for a Mercedes A-Class, which he had also bought from The Trade Centre UK in Coventry. He told BirminghamLive that within a week of receiving the Ford Fiesta, the car caught fire. He had previously informed the dealership about some issues and was advised to bring it in for inspection.
Prior to the fire, Mr Khan experienced further problems with the vehicle. It broke down and would not start on a Friday, before his scheduled Saturday appointment with the dealership. After managing to restart the car to move it from its parked location, he drove a short distance before hearing a loud bang, after which the car caught fire.
The fire brigade extinguished the blaze, which affected the engine and part of the driver’s compartment. No injuries were reported. The damaged car remains on Douglas Road. Mr Khan claims he faces potential job loss due to not having a vehicle and alleges that Trade Centre UK has not provided a courtesy car.
Mr Khan’s dealings with Trade Centre UK began in July of the previous year with the purchase of a Mercedes A-Class. Within the first month, an engine warning light appeared. After multiple repairs by the dealership, the warning light reportedly recurred. Eventually, an agreement was reached, and Mr Khan received the Ford Fiesta as a replacement.
Following the fire, an insurance investigation, reportedly concluding an electrical fault or engine problem as the cause, was carried out. Mr Khan claims Trade Centre UK deemed this investigation insufficient and requested another one.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service confirmed their attendance at the fire on Douglas Road on January 17th, where firefighters extinguished a fire in the car’s engine.
A spokesperson for The Trade Centre UK stated that while they sell cars to many satisfied customers, incidents can occur, and their team is working with Mr Mohammed Khan to resolve the matter.
Source: Birmingham Mail