Sales of goods act vs alternator repair.

mmmkay777

Hi, just wanted some advice to see if I have any chance of getting some money back.

Basically in sept 2009 alternator went in my ford, cost £300 to fix at a garage in Bristol, been fine until 3 days ago - battery light on, got tested and garage owner says I need another alternator. I live in Swindon now so getting back to bristol not a great option. I rang the origional garage they said as over 12 months then no chance of claiming it from manufacturer.
Having spoken to the chap at the new garage he said an alternator should last longer than 15 months, and longer than the 30,000 miles I'd done with it.
So, I wondered if I would have a case under the sales of goods act? would it be worth me sending a letter quoting the act?
Is 15 months and 30,000 miles too long to have a case? even though the alternator is meant to last longer than this.

Thanks.

bigjl

You have to consider if the part was new or reconditioned.

Also the fact that you have done almost three times the average annual mileage and the guarantee was almost certainly 12 months or 12k miles.

Any guarantee on a part such as a clutch or alternator only covers the part itself not the labour so a claim under the guarantee wouldn't save as much as you may think.

Considering the part has worked fine for longer than the guarantee offered then I would think any case under the sale of goods act wouldn't stand a chance.

You need to find out if the part was new or reconditioned, I woudl only fit reconditioned on a car I was going to sell within 6 months, if I was keeping it then I would go new every time.

No part has a defined life really, so the mechanic at the new garage is probably just trying to make sure he gets the work, very common in the garage trade, always rubbish the last person to work on it.

mmmkay777

thanks, I kind of thought that might be the case really.

Hammyman

£300? They saw you coming. I only paid £200 for a brand new genuine Ford one supplied and fitted by the local main dealer for my Mondeo TDCi and its a pig of a job to change which is why I paid someone to do it. The brand new main dealer supplied alternator was £130 and £40-£50 cheaper than reconditioned ones from local motor factors and re-conditioners.

With 30,000 miles I think you've got next to no chance of a claim under SOGA.