KIA Picanto - Kia warranty

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Thu 5 May 2016 22:49
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - whangdoodle

We have a 2011 Picanto that's still under warranty. We drive frequent short journeys - 1300 miles in the past year. Had a full service (independent dealer) last summer and we replaced front brake pads and discs but they didn't mention anything on the rear brakes.

The car failed the MOT today and apparently the rear brake calipers have seized. The bill would be 500£ (including VAT) for replacing the pads, discs, calipers, draining the system and replacing fluids, and the labour.

The mechanic thinks it's "lack of use". Kia warranty says nothing about minimum mileage or lack of use, and apparently calipers are supposed to last the life of the vehicle.

What should we do? Pay up? Go see a dealer?

Any advice will be much appreciated!

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Thu 5 May 2016 22:56
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - RobJP

If you've been having your services carried out by an independent, rather than a KIA dealer, then your warranty probably won't be valid.

I'm not sure from how you've worded your post if that is the case or not.

Basically, only the first 3 years of a warranty is 'block exemption' qualifying. Any warranty over and above that, the manufacturer can make various requirements, and failure to comply means end of warranty.

If it is still under warranty (all servicing carried out by KIA dealership) then take it in and ask. Hell, even if you've been getting it serviced by an independent, it costs nothing to ask.

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Thu 5 May 2016 22:59
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - whangdoodle

Thanks for your reply. We were told on the phone by Kia that if was serviced by an independent mechanic, even putting in non-Kia components doesn't invalidate the warranty (as long as the failure doesn't pertain to the non-Kia part).

What it will cost to ask is half a day of my time to get the car to Kia, wait around, get back etc, plus a fee for another MOT. So not huge but not nothing.

Do you know if this is a problem that happens - calipers seizing from lack of use?

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Thu 5 May 2016 23:45
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - RobJP

Yes, it certainly can happen.

Basically, when you're driving and braking normally, the brakes largely act on the front wheels. So if a car is getting very little use, then it wouldn't be surprising if the rear brakes rusted up.

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Thu 5 May 2016 23:53
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - whangdoodle

Thanks. In this circumstance would the warranty typically have a reason on their books for not accepting the claim?

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Fri 6 May 2016 13:41
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - alan1302

If you've been having your services carried out by an independent, rather than a KIA dealer, then your warranty probably won't be valid.

Kia and Hyundai both allow you to use an independent as long as they are VAT registered and use the correct parts etc. for the full 7/5 years.

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Fri 6 May 2016 17:20
KIA Picanto - Kia warranty - slkfanboy

I suspect the Pads and fluid are not going to be covered so it might be best to get a local indie to do the work.

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