Dealer wants £105 to check if a fault in a used car is covered by warranty

[waveydavey76]

Hi

I purchased a used Ford Fiesta 2003 LX 1.4, 24,000 miles, from a Nissan Dealership in July 07 for £5k. It came with a standard (i.e. 'free') 6 month warranty from the Nissan dealership. A couple of days ago the 'Engine Malfunction' light on the dash board lit up. The manual says the car must be taken in for maintenance ASAP.

The standard dealership warranty only covers a range of faults. When I brought the car in for servicing, the Service Manager said I had to accept that *if* it turned out that the fault is not covered by their 6 month warranty, I would be liable to pay for 1 hours labour costs (£85 + VAT = £105) regardless of whether I agreed to go ahead with the repair with them.

It seems unfair that I have to pay just to find out if the fault is covered by warranty. The Service Manager's argument was that he might have to send it out to a Ford garage to find out what the fault was, and 'someone' would have to pay for that. If I had brought a used Nissan he might be able to 'work something out'. It seems to me it is his problem what it costs him to diagnose the problem with the car they have sold. There is nothing in the Warranty Agreement regarding payment of labour costs.

I've seen the excellent article at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=43 and I'm wondering if their '6 Month Warranty' is in fact a reformulation of their legal obligation under the Sales of Goods Act, which makes this labour charge seem even more unreasonable.

Should I accept the risk of £105 labour charge in order to find out if it is covered by warranty?

Thanks

David

[albertross]

Are you in the AA/RAC? They can read the fault codes, which will give a clue to the cause, and therefore a clue to whether it is covered under warranty

[**woody123**]

Hi,

When these fault lights come on most of the time there is no fault... The fault light came on in my fiesta and ford reset it and told me that it was nothing to worry about they have lots of fords in to reset the light.

[vansboy]

Think you need to talk to the service managers boss, ask if they're REALLY serious, about charging for such a simple task.

This isn't something that requires a gret deal of effort, or time, on their part.

Polite, but friendly & firm, is the way to procede.

Then you'll know if it's something defective, or something worn, that needs attention, which will let everyone have a better indication, on what's what!

VB

[ADEY]

depending on how long you've had it couldnt you wave the Fit for purpose trading standards threat over them?