Car Part Warranty

[anzo]

I'm not really a 'car person' so I don't know exactly what to do here, but I understand some people work in the trade -

I paid about £600 for a 3 year warranty on a car I bought. During the cold snap it was taking about 5 turns of the key to start up, which I thought was unusual for a diesel, never had trouble with it before.

I rang up Ford and after trying to be fobbed off with 'cold weather' eventually was told to bring it in for a check.

So, take it during the night as they need it for a cold start in the morning - no problems. Got a phonecall the next day saying they ran a diagnostic on it which resulted in a buggered battery (£135.00) and also the cam belt sensor (£110.00) needed replacing (Labour £££).

I mentioned by warranty and they explained that the battery was wear and tare, fair enough, but they could sort out the cam sensor on the warranty. So, I bought a new battery (£50 or so) and fitted that. I took it in last night for the cam belt sensor which they have fixed.

I've just been on the phone to the garage guy 'Ian' who explained that the cam belt sensor wasn't covered under warranty - but the sales department will cover the cost instead. Sure, that's all good, but what the hell am I paying £600 for?

My question is; usually, what is covered under a warranty? Anything?

I'm a little bit pissed off about this, I'm paying out a lot for what seems to be nothing?!

[AdamR28]

I had the same thing on a used car I bought, think it was £450 for 3 years 'full warranty'. Similar thing happened and I got shafted, never again Sorry that doesn't help much but your story kinda confirms my theory that it's not worth doing... Check carefully before buying.

Relatively expensive lesson but one to chalk up on the 'board of life'. At least you got it sorted pretty cheaply in the end though

[OD404]

Those warranties are rarely worth the paper they are written on! I would always advise looking at the details before signing up to them as you usually find that the only things covered for the full term (if at all) are the castings of the block, crank, head. Stuff like rust won't always be covered and electrical parts are also generally not covered.

This doesn't mean stay clear of every warranty offered to you, just request detailed information on what is covered and for how long (some bits are only covered for the first year) before signing up

[anzo]

Hmmmm, suppose it's pretty obvious when they say "we don't cover wear and tear"...I don't think there is much left on car that doesn't experience (eventual) fault from wear and tear.

I think it's good they're paying it out of good will - but still, my experience of buying a new car has been somewhat tainted.

Now to fix the grill my neighbour smashed off.

[AdamR28]

I think it's good they're paying it out of good will - but still, my experience of buying a new car has been somewhat tainted.

This was a brand new car...?

[anzo]

This was a brand new car...?

Sorry, better explaination - it's new compared to my R Reg Punto, and P Reg Escort. With it being my first 'Trade' purchase.

Its actually an 03 Focus, but still, I've have more trouble with this car than I ever had with the previous two!

[AdamR28]

Aah, did wonder that but wanted to clarify!

That's a bit of a bummer, what sorta stuff has been going wrong? I had an 03 Fiesta and that was pretty decent...

[anzo]

So far (within 3 months):

1. Battery Failure

2. Cam Belt Sensor

3. Neighbour hit my car, smahed off the front grill

4. Bank decided to cancel my direct debit for the finance - resulting in a late payment fee, which Lloyds TSB eventually settled.

5. Lloyds TSB decided to cancel my financial insurance without consulting me first.

Apart from that, the car has been absolutely fantastic. It's low milage, not a mark on it, interior is like new and I can't complain with the performance at all (1.8TDCI) which really suprised me how nippy it can be! Although I guess many of the 'problems' aren't so much the problem of the car, but the awful service surrounding it.

[Danny]

Id expect things like Battery, Wipers, Tires and any other consumables not to be covered but id say stuff like that sensor really should be covered. You sure they were not just trying to fob you off?

My dad has a 53 reg focus that had a 2-3 year warranty when he got it. Every time it went in for a service (still under warrenty) they tried to charge him for 'Headlight Realignment'.

[anzo]

Id expect things like Battery, Wipers, Tires and any other consumables not to be covered but id say stuff like that sensor really should be covered. You sure they were not just trying to fob you off?

Yeah, I never expected the battery to be covered I thought the sensor would be. I have the paperwork from the initial checkup to say that the sensor is covered under the warranty but thought nothing of it.

Luckily I rang the dealer up to arrange for the keys to be left with the garage staff as I can't pick the car up until about 6.30, he asked if any money was owed and I said it was covered under warranty, so no.

He sounded unsure, checked up on the details and called me back later on and said it wasn't covered; but the parts dept will cover the cost this time.

Seems like a bit of miscommunication within the company and nobody really knows what they do and don't cover - I have it on paper that it's under warranty so I thought that'd be good enough evidence.

My dad has a 53 reg focus that had a 2-3 year warranty when he got it. Every time it went in for a service (still under warrenty) they tried to charge him for 'Headlight Realignment'.

Hmm, what garage was that with? I'm talking about Sandicliffe - seem to be a main dealer for Ford, but not sure if they're national.

[Matthew_Gibson]

My dad has a 58 plate Mazda 3 MPS from a dealer with abut 7,500 mile on the clock when he got it. There was the smallest mark or corrosion on ONE of the wheels, he got a FULL new set for free! But working in a garage we get a lot of newish cars coming in. A brand new Octavia came to us with a burst CV boot, that was covered. Even brake pads of Hyunidas....

[anzo]

Just got it back from the dealership - not impressed really. Recieved another copy of the original diagnostic report with original faults still showing. No invoices, no updated diagnostic...nothing.

So effectively, I have nothing to prove this fault was ever fixed in the first place.

What a complete ballache!

[Dan6061]

Seems a bit dodgey to me?

How old was the battery? They usually have a warrenty on them anyway, my Halfords one does anyway, 3 or 5years I think...

I've always wondered what they actually cover under warrenty. I can understand that most/all parts will eventually wear out, but there must be some sort of cover for them? Faulty parts maybe?

[Captain Scarlet]

It depends it is how helpful the dealer is at the end of the day.

I purchased a used motorbike which came with a free 6 month warranty, I took it back after a month as it developed a rattle (later turning out to be a job of cam chain and tensioner, approx £250 including labour).

They didn't want to know and said that their warranty only covered me if the part actually failed on me. I know for one that I wouldn't like to chance a cam chain snap at 70mph.

Edited January 19, 2010 by Captain Scarlet

[totaltrials]

My best mate owns a car warranty insurance company underwritten by Motorcare.

Basically, ware and tare items as already stated will definitely not be covered. I've looked through the leaflets about 20 times when I'm sat about bored in his car and there are a lot of items detailed that aren't covered. But there are also a lot of items that are covered.

I think a cam sensor should be covered. But the garage doing the work might have been up to something. Also the manufacturers extended warranties are apparently not so great. You paid £600 for a 3 year warranty? That is pretty overpriced. You could get a lifetime warranty for a lot less than that .

My mates company and Motorcare do give out a lot of claims, but they also pay for independent mechanics to check the car to make sure before any claims go through. Everything should be detailed in the terms and conditions, but I think the main benefit of a warranty is for electrical and major problems, then it can be very worthwhile.

They get people calling for some daft things. A woman was trying to get new tyres off the warranty a few weeks ago, some people just don't understand or read anything and confusion kicks in.

So...If anyone is after a warranty, give me a shout . Just thought I'd stick that in there.

[anzo]

Yeah, I need to read more into the warranty when I get time.

At the time when I bought the car I was handed 3 different warranty values (bronze, silver and gold), I went for the silver as it included labour charges.

I was with my dad at the time who mentioned the sale rep that warranties are all well and good, but then it comes to actually requiring something you'll find that a lot of the parts aren't covered - the same with any sort of insurance policy on anything - but the sale rep dismissed the claim saying that it used to be the case, but the new 3 tier scheme eliminated confusion and most parts were covered...of course it is a 3000 page document, so I need to read more into it...I guess at the time, with paying such an amount you worry about things like the engine destorying itself and you being £XXXX out of pocket, so for the sake of a couple of hundred you sign it and assume all will be ok. Its a pretty dirty trick I suppose.

I've never been one for warranties; having claimed on laptops and printers at work they seem to only warrent the cover if X, Y, Z critia is met - but as I said, with a car you feel somewhat compelled to take it.

I plan to write a letter to the regional manager explaining the situation - I doubt it'll make the slightest bit of difference, but you never know. At least then I'll feel like I've done something about it.

[Danny]

Hmm, what garage was that with? I'm talking about Sandicliffe - seem to be a main dealer for Ford, but not sure if they're national.

Benfield Ford in Leeds