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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old Have had the wife's car in today for a service and MOT. The car is 3yrs old on 1st September. My wife was contacted by the dealer to say that the balljoint had gone and it was going to cost £250 to replace it. Long story short I called them to discuss because I am under the impression this would be covered under warranty. The dealer just said 'well the car is over 3yrs old' to which I corrected him saying it wasn't.... The dealer then disputed the warranty anyway saying the 3rd year is a limited warranty - again I disagreed with this. They have advised they will submit a warranty claim and see what Fiat say but it will be about 10 days before they get the part. In view of this being an MOT issue they didn't test the car as knew it would fail. However, as it stands, the part won't be ready until after the car turns 3 which leaves her without a motor. Is my understanding re: the warranty correct and ball joints ARE covered? The car has just over 13,000 miles on it so it can't be classed as normal wear and tear and in the book it doesn't seem to mention any exclusion that would cover ball joints. To say I'm a little unhappy with the dealer is an understatement. They took over the franchise within the last 12 months and have even tried to charge her today for some work that was done under warranty last year and has failed again. Their response was 'we don't have access to the previous dealers' records. I just want to be clear re: the warranty issue. As I say, I'm sure they should be covered and the Fiat warranty page states the 3rd year dealer warranty is the same level as the first 2yr Fiat one. Also, if it is correct that the part should be fixed under warranty, does she have any right to request a loan car until they can fix hers given it will be unroadworthy due to a fault? When she booked the car in last month, today was the first available slot. Any help appreciated
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Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Welsh Riviera
Posts: 23,720 Thanks: 845 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old No, she doesn't have the right to a loan car and no the warranty isn't the same in the 3rd year. The issue with the balljoints is most likely that the boots have split and allowed the joint to become contaminated and fail.
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old According to the Fiat website, it states the cover is the same? ![]() 2-YEAR MANUFACTURER AND THIRD-YEAR DEALER WARRANTY Our 3-year warranty gives you total peace of mind. You're protected from almost every vehicle problem that might arise. You'll find details of what is and isn't included in the Fiat Passenger Vehicles Service & Warranty that you’ll find in the glove box of your car. Trained technicians at your nearest Fiat dealer will make any repairs as quickly as possible, so you're back on the road in no time. The third-year dealer warranty enjoys the same level of cover as the two year warranty above but with a 100,000 mile limit from the date of the vehicles registration (60,000 miles for vehicles used for hire and reward, such as taxis) will have a 60,000 mile limitation in the 3rd year from date of registration.
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Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Welsh Riviera
Posts: 23,720 Thanks: 845 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old i didn't say they weren't covered, i just said the cover wasn't the same. See what happens with the claim
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old OK, thanks. I'm popping down later today to discuss this further anyway. Have found the previous service documents which details work that has been done under warranty that they have tried to charge for again today. Also, the end of the chat yesterday the lad said 'we're just off to wash and valet the car and it will be ready for collection at the agreed time. The wash and valet is part of the service'. Got home and the car hasn't had a drop of water near it. In all honesty I wasn't expecting a wash etc (didn't know this would be done) but given the fact he stated that then it hasn't been done - well, another example of poor service.
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![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old It might suggest it try taking the car in with a wiring fault though................ |
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![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old To the op is this a suspension ball joint? A new wishbone dependent on engine type can be had for £45 ish Eg http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/buy/FIAT...-control-arms/ And in a workshop it's a 20 min job tops to replace it (three nuts / bolts) I know they need to make a profit but 200 sheets for 20 mins work ![]()
__________________ What Goes Up Must Come Down..... Last edited by Andy Monty; 22-08-2013 at 09:33. |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old To the op is this a suspension ball joint? A new wishbone dependent on engine type can be had for £45 ish Eg http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/buy/FIAT...-control-arms/ And in a workshop it's a 20 min job tops to replace it (three nuts / bolts) I know they need to make a profit but 200 sheets for 20 mins work ![]() Its the principle more than anything - if its covered then it should be done. I spoke with an independent last night to get a quote and will be speaking again today when I know more (have used him numerous times in the past when I had an old punto). But as I say, I want to get to the bottom of it first - which leaves us in a sticky position given how close it is to needing its MOT.
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Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Welsh Riviera
Posts: 23,720 Thanks: 845 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old Depending on the engine the labour can be a lot more.
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Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Athens, Greece
Posts: 4,178 Thanks: 80 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old To the op is this a suspension ball joint? A new wishbone dependent on engine type can be had for £45 ish Eg http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/buy/FIAT...-control-arms/ And in a workshop it's a 20 min job tops to replace it (three nuts / bolts) I know they need to make a profit but 200 sheets for 20 mins work ![]()
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 62 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old OK, thanks. I'm popping down later today to discuss this further anyway. Have found the previous service documents which details work that has been done under warranty that they have tried to charge for again today. Also, the end of the chat yesterday the lad said 'we're just off to wash and valet the car and it will be ready for collection at the agreed time. The wash and valet is part of the service'. Got home and the car hasn't had a drop of water near it. In all honesty I wasn't expecting a wash etc (didn't know this would be done) but given the fact he stated that then it hasn't been done - well, another example of poor service.
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![]() | #12 | ||
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old Have been down this morning and they have confirmed its been submitted (or was in the process of being submitted) as a warranty item to Fiat and we now await their response. They won't however, order the part in until a decision has been made. I am led to believe decisions are usually by the end of the day or at least the day after. Prior to going down I spoke with the independent who gave me a quote and his understanding was it should be covered and I also called another franchised dealer within our region who also stated that they believed it was covered although couldn't state categorically as it does have to go via Fiat for a decision. I also spoke with Fiat customer service this morning and they stated similar re: it being covered. The annoying thing is the other dealer have the part in stock but the one I am dealing with said because we've raised a claim via them it would possibly cause issues going elsewhere? On top of this I showed them receipts the warranty work that had been carried out previously (that they tried to do and bill for yesterday). Subsequently these are also being submitted under warranty although I'm not as concerned about these. In fairness to the lad at the dealer he was fine and is only doing his job going on information he has. Hopefully common sense will prevail here. As a matter of interest, any idea how much a Sept 2010/60 1.2 Lounge is worth? Just over 13,000 miles in Bossa Nova?
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![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old
__________________ What Goes Up Must Come Down..... Last edited by Andy Monty; 22-08-2013 at 14:55. |
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![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 57 Thanks: 2 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Balljoint issue - car coming up to 3yrs old
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