Out Of Warranty Boiler Question

ChelseaGirl

We moved into our new build house in February 2006, and a Potterton Promax 24/2 HE Plus boiler was installed on behalf of the builders.
During the past 12 months, we have experienced problems with the boiler, but last week it started leaking and an emergency engineer came out and said that the heat exchanger was leaking. He condemned the boiler there and then and drained down the system. He didn't do anything else as the insurance cover was just an add on to our home and contents policy and was in place to cover such emergencies. The engineer was only obliged to make the boiler 'safe'.
The question I would like to ask is whether we have any rights at all under consumer law where the boiler is concerned? The boiler is not even four years old and we would certainly have expected it to have lasted longer than it has.
I'd appreciate any advice anyone may be able to give.

Many thanks in advance.

scullster

In your case given that you've had your house from new, I wouldn't see why you couldn't pursue the builder as it would be reasonable to expect the boiler to fulfill its intended duty for more than 4y.

- that is providing you've had the boiler regularly serviced. If you haven't, you will need to seek an independent / qualified engineer and ask them to undertake an inspection, diagnose the fault and what possibly caused it, the condition of the unit and whether servicing in this instance would have prevented the premature failure.

I'm sure there will be legal recourse for you and I don't see why it couldn't come under sales of goods act but CAB or trading standards would advise. If they concur with me, contact your builder first (I don't think it will be covered by the NHBC 10y guarantee but check the inclusions / exclusions) and ask they rectify at their cost quoting the relevent statute that CAB / trading standards advise otherwise you will pursue it further with an independent engineers assessment. If you then get no joy, get the report done and pursue the builder for the cost of repair / replacement plus the engineers report.

Good Luck



(I meant to add that most engineers tut like "what do you expect" when you tell them you've got a problem with the boiler and you tell them its a Potterton) - I speak from fact, not opinion, my P boiler has had a number of faults on it, none as serious as yours, but touch wood, its soldiering on 15y.

Hintza

OP I don't think our oil fired boiler has an original part left and seemed to cost us about £200 - £400 a year in repairs. It is about 12 years old now and this has been going on for the last 7 years.

Of absolutely no help I'm afraid but just talking about boilers makes me....:mad:

(fortunately we are building new so the torture will soon be over)

Bexs

Hi

Our boiler was fitted by warmserve 3 yrs ago last week heating and hot water went off so we got an engineer out as 2 yr guarentee had run out so warm serv were not interested.
anyhows bloke said it was the pump so we went and bought a new pump and he fitted it last weekall in all cost just under £200 pounds. so that was dne fri we had hot water and heating again was fab!!, then this morning everything had gone again. We called the gas blokeback again who fiddled about for an hour to then turn round and the boiler is completely knackered and its the main part thats gone now.

As this is only 3yrs old should this be happening and are we covered by if you can prove its a manufacturers fault within 6 yrs then you can go back to them or does that only cover white goods?

would be grateful for some advice if anyone has any please