Dealership staff rack up 220km in customer's BMW during repairs
A customer discovered service staff drove his BMW 220km across Melbourne for four days, including a KFC trip.
Andrew Back picked up his BMW X5 from BMW Brighton in Melbourne and found more than 220 kilometres added to the odometer. The car's app showed the vehicle had travelled through multiple suburbs including Hampton Park, Boronia, and Cranbourne North, with a stop at a KFC drive-through.
About a third of the fuel had been used. The driving happened over four days while the car was supposed to be in service.
BMW Brighton defended the driving as necessary for real-world testing. Back complained to BMW Australia, but was told the issue was between him and the dealership's service department.
A lawyer said legal action would likely not be worth the cost, but questioned whether the dealership's conduct was professional.
- 220km
- Kilometres driven
- 4 days
- Duration in service
- BMW Brighton, Melbourne
- Dealership location
- about one-third
- Fuel consumed
Why it mattersThe case raises questions about what dealership staff do with customer cars while they're in for repairs and whether there should be clearer limits on test driving.
AustraliaMelbourne car owners now have a documented example of extensive, unauthorised driving at a major dealership, raising concerns about oversight and accountability across Australian service centres.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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