Hassle to claim warranty on RACV battery

Mysterious on 26/05/2020 - 11:10

My battery died during the 3 year RACV warranty period.

1st callout: the RACV guy said the battery needs to be charged, so he advised to take it out and go charge it overnight. Had a neighbor charge it and it was dead. Charged callout fee.

2nd callout: the RACV guy said we had to get an official letter saying we charged it and proof that it's dead.

3rd callout: the RACV guy said it's void of warranty as it's been taken out, then says we will need to take it to autobarn to prove that this was the vehicle the battery belongs to, at this point I'm furious. He says we need a transcript of some sort.

How can I go about this? The battery is dead. I'm going to try another callout today, if it is to no avail what are my options for taking this further?

Automotive

Comments

  • akyeeeahdude on 26/05/2020 - 11:30
    +3

    That's ridiculous. I'd call RACV and ask to put in a formal complaint and let them sort it out. I ended up doing that as I paid a couple hundred awhile back to RACQ's top comprehensive vehicle inspection which came up perfect. Three days after buying the car, it started having issues when then resulted in it needing $3500 worth of repairs. At first they refused to refund the inspection fee so I made a complaint and a few days later, the State Manager of Inspections called me and offered to refund the inspection fee.

    • ATTS on 27/05/2020 - 08:26

      curious, was the "RACQ's top comprehensive vehicle inspection" a pre purchase inspection?

      if so how much did you pay for it? and how does it work - do you just ask the seller can RACV do a pre purchase inspection on a day you specify

      • akyeeeahdude on 09/06/2020 - 20:48

        Yes, a pre-purchase inspection which also included compression testing. It was about $200 from memory. All you need to do, is ask the seller for a time that suits them, then you can arrange the mobile inspection to come to the seller's house/workplace. The car just needs to be parked on flat ground (not a on a hill).

  • [Deactivated] on 26/05/2020 - 11:45
    +1

    Call RACV, they will always put the member first over a lot of their decisions to keep business.
    They will more than likely replace the battery and refund all

    • PissLUR on 26/05/2020 - 12:53
      +1

      OP isnt a member. was charged a callout fee.

  • hashtagbargain on 26/05/2020 - 12:02
    +1

    I'd seriously consider making a chargeback, the level of disdain shown in your case is unacceptable.

  • Melb69 on 26/05/2020 - 14:05
    +1

    Had the same issue where dealer said battery needs replacing. 2 call outs and call out company says battery fine, by their battery test. Saying oh it's the dealer trying to sell you another battery. Less than 2 years old. Seems like this maybe a thing where they don't honour the warranty. Have given up. Just trickle charging it, and will just replace myself. Mind you I was charged for callout which included 12 Roadside Assist and charged excessively for the new battery. Not RACV.

    Can you get it tested from battery world or some mechanic and get it in writing or needs replacing. My guy came back with that battery within threshold and not requiring replacement

    • Mysterious on 26/05/2020 - 14:09

      I'm going to try get a letter from Autobarn stating that the battery belongs to my vehicle, but they have no proof of that, just going to hope they oblige. If not I'll need to call RACV and state my intentions of taking it further, if to no avail then I will take it further. You are right, it seems like avoiding warranty at this point.

  • holdenmg on 26/05/2020 - 14:48
    +3

    Call ACA and ask for Tracy.

  • apu on 26/05/2020 - 16:09
    +1

    This all seems ridiculous. Call or better yet, write to head office. RACV roadside people are contractors (they just wear the RACV uniform) so it was probably in the too hard basket for them to manage.

    Also, I thought the roadside assistance guys have equipment that can test a battery once the car has started. I had a faulty battery purchased through a new car contract roadside assistance company, and they swapped it under warranty 18 months later as they could test it and saw it was faulty.

    • Melb69 on 26/05/2020 - 18:02

      My issue was that the ppl that were supplying the battery were also the ones testing it and saying there is no issue.

  • Chris Topher on 26/05/2020 - 18:46

    I just had a 5 year old RACV battery replaced by RACV. It is my understanding is that it's a 2 year warranty on their batteries, not 3.

    • Mysterious on 26/05/2020 - 18:56

      Website says 3 years.

      • Chris Topher on 28/05/2020 - 15:08

        The RACV website actually says: "RACV Battery products carry a nationwide warranty up to 3 years for a vehicle that is used for private purposes."

        Please note "Up To" which also includes 0 (zero).

        I rang to check why mine has only 2 years and the response "It depends on the battery. There are 2 types, Heavy Duty and Premium* shown by the part number of the battery. HD has a 2 year warranty and premium has 3. Not all cars have the option of either or both types."

        So mine is obviously a "Heavy Duty" with 2 year warranty.

        *Premium is a word used in advertising that has a multitude of meanings and uses.

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