What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
What do you advise when warranty won't cover what dealer said it would?
I bought a car with a dealer because of the 5 star rating. They stated nothing was wrong with the car, but if there was to be something wrong we could take it to a local garage to get it fixed and the warranty will cover the cost for the next 6 months. However, the car did not move from the stationary position the next morning because it was cold so we had to wait for it to warm up. We then drove the car to a local mechanic who told us that the clutch and a flywheel were the issues. As advised from the dealer and the warranty company, we asked a mechanic to replace the broken part and the bill was £810 including labour and VAT. Although we have 3 star cover included for 6 months where any breakages are embraced, the warranty company's engineer decided not to cover any expenses as he reckons that this wasn't due to breakages, even though it was proven that it was due to the breakage of a flywheel. The dealer spoke to the mechanic directly during the car examination and he was aware of the exact diagnosis and pricing. In the dealer's defence, he later claimed that the car could have been taken to Coventry for cheaper labour and cheaper parts. After I refused to take his offer of £431.85, not including VAT, he then offered only £65 more. I refused to take this as well because my bill was £810. What is your honest advice?
Asked on 19 December 2016 by Alen
Answered by
Honest John
The dealer who sold you the car is fully liable, not the warranty insurer, because a warranty never covers a fault that was present or developing on the date the warranty was taken out, otherwise this would be fraud. If the dealer won't pay, take him to small claims in the hope that an order can be made against his assets: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/consumer-rights/
Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Similar questions
I purchased a used 2014 Audi A5 from a main Audi dealer eight months ago. The car has been leaking water into the boot where the electrics are, so I took the car back to the Audi dealer. They concluded...
On 1 June 2017, I bought a Nissan Qashqai ex-demonstration car with 2000 miles from a Nissan main dealer. The clutch failed last week, so I took it in to the same dealer for repair. The car has now done...
I bought a new Skoda Superb Estate seven months ago. When driving a few weeks ago, a warning light appeared on the dashboard saying 'Front Assist Not Available'. The light has been on ever since. My local...