Transfer case fill plug missing / CPO...?

[reyxlp]

Had the X5 in for some regular maintenance, recently thought I'd been seeing a bit of a leak and slight drivetrain groan and parking lot speeds.

Turns out my transfer case fill plug was missing - WTF?

There was a 1/4th of a quart fluid remaining (holds about 2 quarts total) and the tech said the fluid "didn't look too terrible" so "it should be fine."

The Stealership said this was not covered under CPO, replacing the missing fill plug and replacing the fluid. I suppose the fill plug is a "wear and tear" item, though the service advisor said he'd never even heard of one of those coming out on its own and it had to be special ordered because not a single dealership nationwide stocks them.

Not sure if I have a question, lol... I haven't been on here in a while but I'm sure CPO is still like health insurance claims and political sex scandals -- deny, deny, deny...

I wish I could be sure what if any damage my transfer case has sustained from being so low on fluid but I have no idea how long it's been that way.

I welcome any related thoughts, comments, etc...?

Thanks.