Car Warranty - Cost of Removing Components to Get Access to Fault

Lajbee on 28/11/2019 - 15:26

Hi,

I just made a warranty (used car warranty) claim for replacing the alternator on my Holden Captiva 2012 through an authorised repairer provided by AWN. While the cost of replacing the alternator has been approved, I am being asked by both the repairer and warranty issuer to bear the cost for refilling gas for the air conditioning - apparently the mechanic has to remove the AC hoses etc to get access to the alternator.

Are they justified in asking me to pay for this? If not then what recourse do I have? Although the cost is not significant ($130 odd) but still good to know how to deal with such a situation.

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • pinchies on 28/11/2019 - 15:32

    Asked or forced? What do the terms of your warranty state? Are these statutory warranties or something else?

    • ajbee on 28/11/2019 - 15:36

      Forced really - If I don't agree to pay the repairer wont start the job. This is not a statutory warranty but a warranty purchased with the car covering it for 3 years. Below link has the terms but I could really not find anything talking about cost related to getting access to faulty components

      https://www.pickles.com.au/idc/groups/public/documents/webco…

      • pinchies on 28/11/2019 - 16:29
        +1

        These kinds of warranty are very specific in what they cover and what they exclude. Unfortunately you'll need to pay what they ask.

  • spackbace on 28/11/2019 - 15:43
    +2

    This is not a statutory warranty but a warranty purchased with the car covering it for 3 years.

    Hehe

    And on a Captiva…?

    You're going to be forking out more than $130 for the next 3 years. Oh and with warranties like that, it binds you to their servicing. Miss a service, and you lose your warranty.

    Have fun with the Captiva…!

    Servicing Requirements: You must maintain a regular service schedule in accordance with the manufactures specifications. The Selling Agent or an authorised
    service facility should carry out servicing at intervals not to exceed 10,000 (ten thousand) kilometres or 6 (six) months, whichever occurs first.

    • ajbee on 28/11/2019 - 15:47

      I am just glad they have authorized the alternator replacement despite not meeting that condition

    • jimbobaus on 28/11/2019 - 16:05
      +3

      When someone pulls up to my work in a Craptiva we roll our eyes.
      They really were rubbish cars.

      We recently did a transmission on one that would of been covered by warranty except for the fact the owner had no serviced the car in 2 years (apart from changing oil/filter themselves)

      Alternators … least one a week
      Water Pumps… least one a week
      Electrics, air con failures, constantly blowing headlight globes, tailgate hydraulic failures, doors that wont lock/unlock, electric window failures..the list goes on. Holden should be ashamed they ever allowed them to be sold.
      now they have re-badged them as an equinox in the hope people will move on…LOL

      • wiipantz on 29/11/2019 - 11:00

        Craptiva FTFY

  • Summoner on 28/11/2019 - 15:50
    +2

    I had the same issue long time ago. In my case it was the heater core that broke down just one month after i purchased the used car from a dealer.
    Same story, and i was also asked to pay for gas refill.
    I contacted fair trading for their advice (because i did not know who to talk to, still dont) and was advised this seems to be unfair.
    I was advised to speak to the warranty provider again first, and if its still not resolved, to lodge a formal complaint through fair trading.
    I spoke to the dealer and the warranty provider again as advised.
    Luckly in my case, the dealer got involved with the warranty provider and they decided that warranty provider to cover the gas refill, so i did not have to pay anything.
    I hope you won't have to pay for the gas refill.

    • ajbee on 28/11/2019 - 16:09

      Thanks for sharing your experience. I will try and speak to the repairer but likely avoid going to Fair Trading

  • jimbobaus on 28/11/2019 - 16:00
    +7

    Hmmm interesting
    Well i just spoke to our mechanic here (i work for a major mechanical chain)
    and he has stated categorically, the air con hoses etc do NOT need to come off to swap out the alternator.
    If they are doing the job properly they can do it without touching the air con.
    It sounds to me like the warranty company is paying low money for the work (they set their rates, its why we stopped doing work for warranty companies) and the mechanic is trying to recoup some costs by adding on something not covered by the warranty.

    • ajbee on 28/11/2019 - 16:08
      +1

      Wow, that is good insight. How do I deal with this short of going to Fair Trading?

      • jimbobaus on 28/11/2019 - 16:11
        +5

        I think it honestly comes down to the mechanic, our mechanic here has shown me the guide and the air con is close by.
        I think it might be "easier" to remove the hoses etc, our mechanic said we remove the alternator from underneath which is why we can not touch the aircon hoses etc.

        The reality is the mechanic can argue (and win) that the hoses etc do need to come off, it all comes down to method of removal.
        given the warranty company is paying probably $66 per hour for labour (half what most mechanics charge these days) and would be paying COST for the part i suspect this is why they trying to sting you and also doing it the quickest way possible.

        My suggestion to you is def go back to the warranty company, if it has to come off to replace the alternator it should be part of the job thats paid for by the warranty company.

        • pegaxs on 28/11/2019 - 17:16
          +1

          paying COST for the part i suspect

          After having to deal with AWN in the past, I can almost 100% say that they are either supplying a used part or want them to find a used part from a scrap yard/wrecker.

          We once had a stand off over them doing this to a customer and the car was in our workshop for 3 months while they fought it out.

          • ajbee on 28/11/2019 - 18:16

            @pegaxs: Aftermarket part is what the repairer said has been approved. Total quote $980 incl gas filling

  • Euphemistic on 28/11/2019 - 17:08
    +1

    Is it really worth the hassle of chasing up $130? I agree it’s the principle of it and you probably could get it covered but it may also cost you later if there is a capped value for warranty repairs under he warranty.

    Be thankful they are covering the alternator at no cost as the ‘warranty’ you have will most likely have very specific inclusions and exclusions.

    • ajbee on 28/11/2019 - 18:43

      Totally agree. Im expecting similar situations in the future and will be worthwhile to know the best course of action if the hit to me is bigger than $130

  • pegaxs on 28/11/2019 - 17:12
    +9

    $130 on a 2012 Craptiva? That would make it an economical write off…

  • aussieprepper on 28/11/2019 - 18:13

    You might be able to get the refill done cheaper else where, Ask around at Auto electrician shops.

  • WinBargain on 28/11/2019 - 18:17

    Beats the bustards at bmw southbank wanting to charge me $540 just for diagnostics.

    • brendanm on 28/11/2019 - 19:26

      Yes, them spending hours searching for an issue should be free.

      • WinBargain on 28/11/2019 - 19:58

        Yeah totally reasonable $270 an hour

        • brendanm on 28/11/2019 - 20:02

          Did you know about the price prior to booking it in?

          • WinBargain on 28/11/2019 - 20:05

            @brendanm: No

            • brendanm on 28/11/2019 - 21:18

              @WinBargain: So you booked your car in without knowing what the labour rate was?

              • spackbace on 28/11/2019 - 23:53

                @brendanm: It's a BMW, when it developed a fault he knew to just bend over and grab the Vaseline 😂

                • pegaxs on 29/11/2019 - 09:52

                  @spackbace:

                  and grab the Vaseline

                  At a BMW dealer, vaseline is extra and is only offered to 7 Series owners…

                • brendanm on 29/11/2019 - 12:41
                  +1

                  @spackbace: Exactly, how could you not know that it was going to be expensive?

  • brad1-8tsi on 29/11/2019 - 07:50

    OP: When you get your Captiva repaired start working on an exit strategy.

    We had a 4 speed diesel and it was slow (75kph top speed up Mt Ousley NSW - my old Torana 1100 could do 90kph) and made some weird noise. Luckily the fleet manager changed it at 35k km.

    Then a few years later we had a 3.0 V6 petrol which went well but averaged 19L/100km (23L/100km on e85). It had some warranty issues but luckily it was moved on at 38k before we had to deal with stretched timing chains, etc.

    They aren't a great car for longevity - Like most Korean holdens.

  • AUXRVIII on 30/11/2019 - 18:58

    If they need to recover the gas to do the job, then fair enough. There is no cost to them to recharge the system as they are putting back in what they removed, the A/C servicing machines can reuse the gas they recover. Imagine putting a bucket under a radiator to catch the coolant you drain from the cooling system to replace the water pump. Then when the repair is done you pour the coolant back into the system.

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