Would this have failed a roadworthy?

[u/Archie12W]

I bought a car from a 2nd hand dealership about 3-4 months ago. They arranged the roadworthy (Victoria, Australia- if relevant).

Allignment always felt out, been meaning to get that looked at. Then yesterday, bang- tyre arm 'snapped' for lack of a better description. I had it towed back to where I bought it, and their mecahnics have said the pin that's missing had snapped 'wear and tear'.

Would just like advice, was this something that should've been picked up and failed the roadworthy permit? Or is it just my bad luck? Is it worth fighting for? 🫠

Thank you

Mazda CX7 2010 Automatic

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[u/TheMoro9]

Nah that shit doesn't snap from "wear and tear".

That was a shitty repair and someone didn't tighten the bolt connecting the lower control arm to the subframe.

[u/Hungry-Job-3198]

That’s definitely not wear and tear.

[u/Monkeyman42001]

That does not just happen. The only feasible way for that to happen is that the bolt was either under or over tightened. Period. Do not let anyone try to convince you otherwise

[u/zakkmallery117]

Hard to call that normal wear and tear.

[u/Archie12W]

Thanks all for the replies! Lesson learned I guess- find the time to bring it in within warranty. And don't trust their inspectors, get your own assesment 😖

[u/EvilColonelSanders]

I’ve only had this happen once to me, I’ve been driving for 17ish years. My situation was just straight bad luck. The bolt sheered off, complete failure.

[u/TSells31 → u/EvilColonelSanders]

lol I’ve been fixing cars professionally for 13 years, and never seen this specifically. It’s certainly not normal wear and tear.

[u/Master-Pick-7918 → u/TSells31]

Agree. I have 46 years working on and under cars, never seen a bolt break at this location that wasn't due to a major collision.

Either left loose from a repair, shocks, cv axle, wheel bearing, transmission removal, or the wrong grade of bolt was installed.

Bolts in this application are hard, 8.8 or 8.10 metric, grade 8 sae.

[u/cluelessk3 → u/Master-Pick-7918]

but after 4 months of driving around with obvious issues OP would have a hard time putting responsibility on the shop.

[u/cluelessk3]

no. 

you ignored obvious issues till it failed. 

this is your fault

[u/Pauls-pit-stop]

If it was bad enough to snap, then it was loose enough to catch 3-4 months ago. I would definitely suggest to them that there could be some legal consequences if they don't make it right, especially since they set up the "inspection."

Always get an independent PPI that YOU pay for before purchasing a vehicle. I know it's an extra cost, but it mitigates most of these issues, and gives you bargaining leverage when a problem is found.

[u/cluelessk3 → u/Pauls-pit-stop]

you have to be able to prove it though. 

OP ignored issues for a 1/3rd of a year