Who is a Class Member
The MEI LifeTime Engine Guarantee Class Action Settlement includes “all consumers in the United States who, between May 5, 2013 and January 8, 2017, purchased a vehicle from Car Sense Inc. (now MEI) and accepted the LifeTime Engine Guarantee offered by Car Sense Inc.”
If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Estimated Award
- $30
Class Members who submit a valid and timely claim form can receive a one-time cash payment of $30.
Proof of Purchase
You will need to provide your Claim ID and PIN Code located on your individual Settlement Notice, along with proof you paid for a professional oil change during the Class period for the MEI (CarSense) covered vehicle.
Claim Form
MEI (CarSense) LifeTime Engine Guarantee Settlement Notes
- Leary, et al. v. BP Lubricants USA and Carsense (Now MEI)
- Case No. 2:17-cv-02070-BMS
- Pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Plaintiffs Alison and Timothy Leary brought this class action lawsuit against BP Lubricants USA and CarSense (now MEI) alleging they and other consumers were sold an illegal warranty – a violation of the the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Specifically, the MMWA prohibits tie-sales provisions. A tie-in sales provision is a provision that requires a consumer to buy an item or service from a particular company to keep warranty coverage. In this case, the plaintiffs say that BP Lubricants and MEI sold cars with warranties that required consumers to use only premium Castrol motor oils.
According to court documents, MEI uses both a “Lifetime Engine Guarantee” and “Castrol Engine Warranty” to market and sell consumer vehicles. Under these warranties, the defendants cover the engine in vehicles sold by MEI to consumers from oil related mechanical failure or abnormal wear for 10 years or 300,000 thousand miles, whichever occurs first, so long as consumers change the motor oil in their vehicles every 4 months or 4,000.
When the Learys took the vehicle they purchased from MEI with the two warranties to a Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express to have the motor oil changes, they were informed by a service technician that since their car was purchased at MEI and backed by the warranties, that he was required to use Castrol motor oil and that oil change would cost $40 more than if he used a comparable non-Castri synthetic product.
Under the MMWA, this created all illegal tying arrangement because consumers are required to change the motor oil in the car every 4,000 miles or 4 months with only Castrol products.
“Plaintiffs are paying more for Castrol products than what they would pay for substantially similar or possible superior motor oils.”
MEI denies any wrongdoing and any liability whatsoever. Complete details are provided in the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement and other related documents are available on the MEI LifeTime Engine Guarantee Settlement website.
Class members who wish to opt out or object to the terms of the MEI Lifetime Engine Guarantee Settlement must do so by July 2, 2018. Class members who wish to participate in the settlement must submit an Claim Form by July 2, 2018.
Important Dates
- 7/2/18: Claim Form Deadline
- 7/2/18: Objection or Exclusion Deadline
- 10/2/18: Final Hearing at 10:00 am ET* (class members do not need to attend this hearing in order to receive a slice of the settlement pie).
*Settlement Class Members who wish to speak at the hearing should check www.LearyMEIClassAction.com to confirm that the date or time of the Hearing has not been changed.
Contact Information
- Mail: Leary v. MEI, c/o KCC Class Action Services, P.O. Box 404000, Louisville, KY 40233-4000
- Phone: 1-855-505-1412
- Email: LearyvMcGownEnterprises@kccllc.com
Class Counsel
- Michael McKay of Scheider Wallace Cottrell Konecky Wotkyns LLP
Settlement Website