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How do I complain about a used car warranty?

We have a 2019 Tesla 3 with 45k on the clock bought from a dealer 5 months ago. We have suddenly been experiencing loud squeaking/knocking noises from the from suspension which turns out to be front ball joints and lateral control arm bushes. We were given an aftermarket warranty by the dealer which expires in Feb 25, but the warrant company are rejecting these issues as wear and tear.
Are the warranty company justified rejecting costs for these repairs as wear and tear at this age and mileage. I believe the parts have failed well before they could be expected to and Tessla are saying the parts have failed.
I understand Tessla issued a TSB for front suspension parts, so would I have a reasonable chance of success by referring this to the insurance Ombudsman.

Asked on 24 December 2024 by Joe jones

Answered by David Ross
Aftermarket warranties, as with manufacturer warranties, are defined by their terms and conditions and what is, and is not included, so we would start by reading the T&Cs in detail to determine what they say about these suspension components. Bushes and ball joints are possibly considered as 'consumable' in that they eventually will wear out and need to be replaced, but at the same time it could be a reasonable expectation that they would last longer than they have. However, if they are considered consumable then it may be that the T&Cs will exclude them regardless of timeframe. If they refuse to accept responsibility, you have the option to get quotes for the work to be carried out and send them to the provider, stating that if they continue to refuse to pay for the work you will claim back the cost from them. You can also check if the warranty provider is a member of a trade association such as the Motor Ombudsman and take your complaint to them.
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