Watch out what oil you put in your Maserati

[aussiblue]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12193297

A man whose Maserati shook, shuddered and sounded like a "tractor" when it broke down has failed to force the car's seller to refund the purchase price after wrong oil was put in it.

Auckland company C&P Beauty Services bought the Maserati Ghibli for $87,400 in April 2017 with fewer than 9000km on the clock.

But 10 months later, it broke down and now requires an engine overhaul, expected to cost "many thousands of dollars".

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evin Jin, a director of GT Auto Force, told the tribunal he had put Fuchs 5W/30 oil based on Fuchs' recommendation.

Tang said the car's manual also recommended the use of Fuchs 5W/30 oil and that he had received an email from Fuchs Lubricants New Zealand also stating the oil met the requirements for the car.

However, tribunal adjudicator Carter said the car's owner's manual had been superseded by a bulletin issued by Maserati in May 2017 recommending that only 5W/40 oil be used.

"Unfortunately for C&P Beauty Services, neither GT Auto Source or Fuchs NZ seems to have been aware of this change in oil specification. This is a significant shortcoming," he said.

"I consider that servicing agents and suppliers of engine oil should ensure that the oil used, or recommended for use, complies with the current manufacturer's specification."

Carter consequently did not order NZ Motor Sports Imports to refund the car's almost $90,000 purchase price to C&P Beauty Services.

"C&P Beauty Services will undoubtedly feel aggrieved at this outcome," he said.

"However, although C&P Beauty Services cannot be criticised for relying on the expertise of GT Auto Source and Fuchs NZ in choosing what oil to use in the vehicle, it must nonetheless take responsibility for the actions of its agents."

He said it was not this tribunal's job to determine "what, if any, responsibility GT Auto Source and/or Fuchs NZ" should have for the damage to the engine.

That instead was a matter "C&P Beauty Services may choose to explore separately", Carter said.