renault megane - should renault pay?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 13 Nov 2015 19:21
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

I bought a 61 plate renault megane in jan 15 from a reputable, Renault approved dealership. I paid extra for a service and MOT. 10 months on the cam shaft has cracked and is leaking oil. As a result I have to replace that and the cam belt. The car isn't even 4 years old and has done 42000 miles! Should I be expected to pay for this? Is it wear and tear or 'just one of those things' and should the corrosion have been seen during the service?

I have contacted Renault directly as the dealership are refusing to do anything about this.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 20:00
renault megane - should renault pay? - RobJP

'Renault Approved' cars should come with a minimum 12 month warranty.

I'd suggest you check your paperwork, which will have full details of your cover and how to make a claim.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 20:45
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

No it comes with a standard 3 mths warranty

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 20:48
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

Also the cam shaft isnt cocered by extended warranty or so they told me

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 21:04
renault megane - should renault pay? - Wackyracer

Your car should be under the original warranty still as Renault warranty is 4 years or 100,000miles.

You need to be firm with them or they'll try and do it as a chargeable job. All dealers push for customers to pay for repairs as if they do it as warranty work they won't get the same hourly rate as you would pay as a customer.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 21:17
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

If it is 100,000 miles would it be covered even though they say it isn't under any warranty? I've read lots of differing stories and tbh I have no clue. I bought from a reputable company in case of issues like this. Also, (unrelated) the salesman told me by getting finance on the car I would get a years warranty, turns out thats rubbish and he had lied.I could only find documents that show I didn't sign when the extras were made clear to me and I've sent that to Renault too.

I paid £300 for an MOT, service and 2 yrs roadside BUT having looked at the MOT it was done 2 months before I bought the car. what are your thoughts on this and will it put me in a better position to haggle?

Thanks again

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 21:35
renault megane - should renault pay? - Wackyracer

You said the car is under 4 years old, the standard Renault warranty is 4years and upto 100,000miles so it should be covered on the fact it is within the 4 year warranty period.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 21:41
renault megane - should renault pay? - Engineer Andy

Cheeky blighters! Its almost as though they're vying with lawyers/solicitors and estate agents to be the most untrustworthy people (other than politicians) in the country. When did good, honest customer service (outside maybe of John Lewis) go down the tubes?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 21:44
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

Tell me about it! It is ridiculous! The dealership are looking at me like I am an idiot and a liar when I know what I heard. I teach maths for gods sake so I know a deal when I see one so I snapped up the cover plus. Not happy obviously. So on top of it all I need a new b***** MOT in 2 weeks

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 13 Nov 2015 21:45
renault megane - should renault pay? - Wackyracer

I'm wrong! I think your car only had a 3 year warranty as was registered before the start of the 4 year warranty but, would still have a 3 year warranty and I'd still be pushing for it to be done under warranty if you have a full dealer service history.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 06:15
renault megane - should renault pay? - drd63

I'd have thought it very unlikely this would have been spotted at the last service. Harsh though it sounds, the warranty has expired - why would you expect the dealer or manufacturer to pay? You could have purchased an extended warranty.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 12:37
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

Because I bought it from a manufacturer franchised dealership you get 12 months renault warranty as standard according to their website... it is there in black and white.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 12:47
renault megane - should renault pay? - RobJP

If it was sold as a 'Renault Approved' vehicle, then inform the garage that either they do the work under warranty, or you will take the car to an alternative garage of your choosing, get the work carried out, pay for it, and then take the selling garage to the Small Claims Court for the sum involved.

Make sure you do this IN WRITING, by registered post. Give them 14 days in which to reply. Then nail them.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 12:57
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

I am currently writing an 'essay' to the dealership and also sending a copy to Renault UK. I will nail them completely for this

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 13:04
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

Stupid question but...if it is an approved renault dealership then aren't all the cars they sell 'approved'? Also, the MOT has an advisory on stating that under trays are fitted obscuring some underside components. Should I have been sold it like this and, could this be a reason why the cracked cam shaft was not spotted on MOT and service?

Thanks

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 13:19
renault megane - should renault pay? - Wackyracer

The camshaft is an internal component of the engine. I'm not sure what you mean by a "cracked camshaft" but, it would not have been seen by the MOT inspector and it is not a part that is covered under MOT inspection.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 13:34
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

Like I said I have no idea about cars! I really can't emphasise this enough. The renault service centre informed me I had a cracked cam shaft I don't know where it is or what it means other than a £900 bill to replace that and the cambelt.

Would it have been looked at as part of the service then/noticed oil leakage? Should they have sold me a car with an advisory on?

Thanks again

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 13:45
renault megane - should renault pay? - RobJP

As to 'Approved' status, no, not all the cars they sell will be 'approved'. Which is why I said to check your paperwork.

Basically, different marques have different standards as to what can be sold under their 'Approved' label. For a lot of marques, this will be less than a certain mileage, or in exceptional condition, or under a certain age.

If your paperwork says it was sold as 'Renault Approved' then you've got a case. If not then it's a lot more difficult.

As to MOTs and 'unable to inspect due to covers in place', that's perfectly standard. Forget taking that any further, you're going to get nowhere.

The ONLY thing that matters is this : Was it sold as 'Renault Approved' or not.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 14:23
renault megane - should renault pay? - nortones2

What were the symptoms that led to the story of a "cracked camshaft" that leaks oil? I can see that a camshaft cover might leak, and that the timing belt could be contaminated by oil, but the description (perhaps from the servic desk) is vague. Did the car engine fail to run? Perhaps you could fill in the detail of how this all came about, and whether the engine has been partially dismantled by the garage to inspect the camshaft. As has been said earlier, you can't tell by looking at the exterior, and neither can the garage!

Edited by nortones2 on 14/11/2015 at 14:26

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 14:35
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

OK so I was selling my car privately and they looked under the bonnet and saw an oil leak on top.I had never seen an oil leak underneath but then again, I wasn't looking for one.I booked it in at the same renault approved garage I had purchased it from and they ran a diagnostic to see the issues.I dont know if they partially dismantled to look at the cam shaft but on the phone and in person they said the cam shaft had cracked (no mention of seal etc) it had leaked oil, the cambelt was contaminated and they couldn't fit the existing cambelt on if they replaced the rest of it.TBH i just wanted to get out of there as they treated me like a liar and an idiot (I am when it comes to cars really) so I didn't question any further. They didn't offer any solution just £900 to fix but I said I couldn't afford that and drove home :(

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 15:03
renault megane - should renault pay? - nortones2

Cracked camshaft would have some impact on running, generally. Unless the car doesn't run correctly? Suggest a second opinion needed. The garage might be right about the timing belt, but I think legging it was the right thing to do!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 15:20
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

I have just finished writing a letter to them and to Renault UK outlining the issues and my expectations. I have also contacted CAB for help too.The cars runs OK.Little hesitant to start sometimes and a little whirring noise when I'm not accelerating or braking.I stated that at the time also.I'll see what they offer and go from there but it's even more annoying now because I drive 45 miles to work and I can't use my car!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 16:21
renault megane - should renault pay? - quizman

It sounds to me as if the cam shaft cover is leaking oil onto the engine. Maybe the gasket is cracked, if so it is easy to replace. Take it to a local garage and they would repair it for much less than £900.

As for the warrenty, if it isn't in writing you aint got one.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 20:35
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

I will try and get hold of aftersales on mon bt werent open today.i dont think,regardless of warranty i should be liable to pay as the cam shaft should last much longer.not a well made car

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 23:06
renault megane - should renault pay? - RobJP

If, as you say, the car is running OK then it is almost certainly NOT a cracked camshaft. If it was then the engine would not run well, if at all. Furthermore, a garage would have to strip apart the top of the engine to determine if it was a cracked camshaft.

I suggest that you determine what the actual problem is. Because what you're saying just doesn't add up at present.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 16 Nov 2015 17:18
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

Ok I rang and asked all these questions.They said the mechanic only did a visual and could see an oil leak from the cam seals but she then said they think it's a cracked cam shaft. Does this make sense?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 16 Nov 2015 17:45
renault megane - should renault pay? - RobJP

No, it does not make any sense at all. It sounds like a load of ... male bovine fertiliser.

Ok. A very quick lesson for you.

Main agents want to replace all the parts possible. They are not interested in taking things apart and finding faults and fixing them.

So take the car to an independent garage. HJ runs a scheme for garage recommendations, and there are others too. Find one close to you, read some reviews, and go and see what someone who actually cares about the job thinks.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 14 Nov 2015 23:27
renault megane - should renault pay? - Avant

Your first priority should be to go to a small independent garage and ask what the problem is likely to be. As suggested above, a seal sounds the most plausible from what you've told us.

At the top of the page on this site, click on Good Garages and see if there's one in your area - not necssarily a Renault specialist but good if you can find one nearby.

If you then still think it's worthwhile to fight the dealer (and this depends on whether your warranty was for three or twelve months), you should at least have some information to back you up.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 15 Nov 2015 00:03
renault megane - should renault pay? - drd63

Original manufacturer's warranty expired after 3 years, you said you bought the car with a 3 month warranty(you stated earlier) which I assume you felt was OK at the time. Sometimes bad things happen, it's not always someone else's fault.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 16 Nov 2015 17:36
renault megane - should renault pay? - cg4uk1

I agree but the law says components should last a reasonable lenght of time and 4 years/40000 miles for a camshaft is not reasonable

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 16 Nov 2015 18:52
renault megane - should renault pay? - RobJP

I agree but the law says components should last a reasonable lenght of time and 4 years/40000 miles for a camshaft is not reasonable

Are you actually READING anything that any of us have posted ?

It is, as far as I'm aware, inpossible to diagnose a broken camshaft without completely stripping the top end of the engine. A number of other people have said EXACTLY the same thing.

So, get the car into an independent garage for them to have a look at it and determine, by stripping down the top of the engine EXACTLY what the problem is.

The problem may not be a broken camshaft. It is most likely to be either a damaged gasket or a damaged oil seal. But it is IMPOSSIBLE to tell without taking the engine apart.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 16 Nov 2015 20:29
renault megane - should renault pay? - Fernando P

You may well have a good understanding of dy/dx but, by your own admission, you have difficulty in understanding the communication from the garage and the associated mechanics and seem to be taking it for granted that what you have been told is accurate. Even if the "mechanic" concerned gave you such a diagnosis, it does not mean that is credible! The camshaft is a key moving part in the engine and to establish if it were cracked, which would be most unusual, considerable work would have to be carried out to extricate and examine it carefully. This would be costly to undertake properly. It is more likely that the camshaft is not cracked but there is an oil leak from what is known as the camshaft cover seal, which is what the experienced advisers here are patiently trying to convey to you. What you need is some practical help from either someone you know or a recommended independent garage who can take a look at the apparent oil leak and possibly sort it in quick time, say .5 hrs. You need to have an independent mind when dealing with such reports but your lack of mechanical knowledge does not help you, which is why you have come to this forum for advice! Now back to dy/dx, which is interesting...!

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 17 Nov 2015 14:44
renault megane - should renault pay? - skidpan

Simple facts:

A camshaft is under great stresses and if it is cracked it will very soon break totalling the remainder of the engine. If a cracked camshaft was actually diagnosed any garage would have told you not to drive the car until it was fixed.

Even if the camshaft was cracked it would not allow oil to leak onto the cam belt.

So IMHO what you almost certainly have is a cracked cam cover gasket or less likely a cracked cam cover both of which would allow oil to contaminate the cam belt. A new cambelt and cam cover gasket is likely to be approx £400. Many cam covers are now made of plastic which is a poor relative of the aluminium used years ago but if it is cracked a scrapyard (or even e-bay) should be able to provide a replace at far less cost than new.

So go to a garage that speaks clear English, get them to explain the issue listening carefully and then come back on this site and tell us the real facts.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide