Dealer Had My Car Idle for 5 Months Waiting for a Part - Now I'm Worried about The Condition

eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 22:12

Dealer contacted me for a part recall for my car (2014 model) which turns out I needed the short-motor replaced.

That was in September, now 5 months later that part has arrived and been replaced, and I can go and pick it up.

But I was advised the battery now needs to be replaced and I have to pay $310.

I don't mind paying for a new battery but a quick Google shows that any battery will drain if left idle for that long.

The last time I had it serviced was June 2023 and I had new tires put on and everything else checked out fine. (via an independant car mechanic)

Do I need to be worried about the condition of my car since they've left it idle for 5 months?

e.g.
Flat spots on my brand new tires
Engine / brake fluid and coolants need to be flushed and replaced?
Petrol spoiling
Brake corrosion
Any general problems with being left outside in the weather for 5 months?

What rights do I have to insist that they service and check my car before I agree to take it back?

Automotive

Comments

  • CodeXD on 07/02/2024 - 22:14

    Do I need to be worried about the condition of my car since they've left it idle for 5 months?

    What did they say when you asked them?

    • eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 22:15
      -1

      I haven't asked anything yet, just had a 5 min call from the service guy telling me the car will be ready tomorrow, and asking for my verbal approval to replace the battery and telling me it was bubbling and needed to be replaced for $310

    • eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 22:17
      -1

      My mate who is a car mechanic told me that if you're leaving a car for that long you should disconnect the battery, so I feel like they should be liable for replacing it

      • CodeXD on 07/02/2024 - 22:20

        There are many reasons for a battery to need to be replaced, if they are asking you to replace it means they would have done some tests (hopefully).

        Double check with them on the issue and what could have caused it and go from there. If push comes to shove question if it is possible that this occurred due to car being left idle for 5 months. Do you know if it was actually left idle? Did the part prevent them from starting the car and letting it run every once in a while?

        • eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 22:22

          I don't know for sure that they had it idle, but given the situation I'm assuming they would have left it sitting there until they got the part in that they needed.
          I'll have to ask the guy tomorrow.
          I just want an assurance that those things have been checked.

        • eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 22:25

          Re the part; yes because it was a supposed defect in the motor, I definitely believe that would have stopped them from starting it.

      • Rukiata on 07/02/2024 - 22:43

        well them tell them that? we can't be of any help. tell them off and then send the reply here.

      • Brian McGee on 08/02/2024 - 06:59

        If they have pulled the engine out they would have disconnected the battery. That would be the second thing they did after opening the bonnet.

    • Sinnerator on 08/02/2024 - 08:54

      you're not serious that you could trust the dealer to give an honest answer ????????????????????????????

  • coffeeinmyveins on 07/02/2024 - 22:18
    -3

    Flat spots on my brand new tires

    Lol they aren't new anymore.

    You seriously let them keep your car for almost half a year? geez.

    • eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 22:19
      +2

      It was a manufacturer recall , what choice did I have? I had no other option, they wouldn't let me take it back because it was under recall for that part.

      • brendanm on 07/02/2024 - 22:41
        +1

        Drive it until they got the part in?

        • eckorock on 07/02/2024 - 23:03

          No, you're wrong.
          I had to bring it in to get the motor checked for the recall issue - apparently it was a rare issue.
          Once they found that issue, they wouldn't let me take the car because it was a safety concern.
          I had no choice unless you thought I should ignore the manufacturers suggestion to bring it in to check for the safety issue.

          • brendanm on 07/02/2024 - 23:18
            +3

            @eckorock: Hard to say what should happen as you haven't given any info as to what this recall was for. It's your car, you can do whatever you like with it, they can't hold it hostage.

          • coffeeinmyveins on 08/02/2024 - 11:35

            @eckorock:

            Once they found that issue, they wouldn't let me take the car because it was a safety concern.

            That's not how that works at all.

            But anyway, your response should have been "loan car". you're now out of use of your car for 6 months and have to replace most of the consumables probably.

      • JimmyF on 08/02/2024 - 09:06

        what choice did I have

        Ask for a loan car while they repair yours.

  • cashless on 07/02/2024 - 23:33
    +2

    What kind of recall requires a simple part that then turns into a “short engine” replacement? That is serious stuff, essentially a heart & lung transplant for a car.
    Rather than worrying about tyre flat spots, battery condition etc, I would be standing over the mechanic watching exactly what he’s doing to my bloody car.

  • JIMB0 on 08/02/2024 - 07:19
    +3

    How old was the battery?

    • Gunnar on 08/02/2024 - 12:47
      +1

      Yep this! How old is the battery. Depending on most batteries have a shelf life of 3-5 years. It’s not uncommon for old battery can go from being fine to dying in a matter of weeks

      I would check your records to see how old your battery is and then ask the dealer what is wrong with it.

  • mapax on 08/02/2024 - 07:44
    +1

    What was the recall for? Hyundai bearings?

  • Sterio on 08/02/2024 - 07:46
    +2

    And did you get a loan car for 5 months?

    • eckorock on 08/02/2024 - 09:37
      +1

      Yes I did

  • Dollar General on 08/02/2024 - 08:06
    +6

    Contact head office of the car manufacturer and ask them to cover the cost. They had your car for 5 months which is extraordinarily long considering they should have the parts ready when it’s a recall. Covering the cost of you battery is the least they can do for you

    • eckorock on 08/02/2024 - 14:13

      Agreed except I think the dealership should cover it, not the manufacturer head office

  • GordonD on 08/02/2024 - 08:44
    +5

    But I was advised the battery now needs to be replaced and I have to pay $310.

    No, this is NOT how recalls work.

    If THEY damaged the battery during the recall process, THEY replace it.

    You get your car back in the condition it was in, except with the recall-associated problem fixed. If they took so long to get the problem fixed that it caused any other problems in the car, then the cost of rectifiying is THEIR problem.

    • eckorock on 08/02/2024 - 14:12

      Thanks Gordon
      That's how I feel about it

  • highon2str on 08/02/2024 - 12:13

    what car is this?

  • Iwantthebestprice on 08/02/2024 - 14:30
    +1

    Petrol sitting idle for 5 months is a worry. Petrol does go stale after a while. Would be worried it has started to seperate in the tank. Ask dealer to add 1/3 tank of petrol into your car to ensure some fresh mixed petrol with the old one

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