Car Parts Warranty

Ozzi_2

Hey all, first time post so please be gentle! Got my car repaired late September (Rover 25) had my spark plugs and coil packs changed for new ones.

The problem has now reared its ugly head again and they've changed the plugs and coils once more and its fixed the problem. I've paid my invoice but shouldn't the parts come with a years warranty? If so, could I go back and show them what has happened to see if I could get reimbursed for the parts?

Many Thanks,

Ozzi

TiTheRev

Definately a years warranty, but should have been argued before fitting, as they can now suggest that something else has caused the issue with the plugs/leads.

Ozzi_2

Well they didn't ask me, they just did the work. An error came up on my management system and I asked them to run a diagnostic kit. When I called back to ask what the problem was, they said it was coils and plugs and I said how much is that gonna cost, and they replied with we've already done it!

TiTheRev

I'd go back to them and demand you get refunded then. Was it them that did the work in September?

Ozzi_2

It was yeah, I took the invoice home and thought it was odd because I was under the impression spark plugs lasted longer than 4 months! I've only driven about 3,000 miles since then. I'm not sure whether to try for the coils too, they fitted 2 new ones in September and 1 this month but I don't know how many 'coils' my car has.

TiTheRev

It will have 4, and if they've not replaced the one that they did in September you may have to pay for that, but spark plugs (average) life is 40,000 miles or 4 years, not 4000miles or 4 months!!!

Ozzi_2

Ah, so I should definitely raise the point about the spark plugs being fitted 4 months ago? Can they say its not covered under a warranty? Thats my only query really. Thanks for your speedy replies btw!

TiTheRev

All parts have at least a 1year warranty. If the plugs truely have failed (which I doubt) they will be covered by that warranty. My guess is that they've replaced them *just in case* and hoped you'd forget they were done recently. Either way, you shouldn't be paying for them. Definately check which coil they've replaced though, as that too would be covered if it was one of the ones done in September. Also begs the question why they've not just done all 4 if 3 have broken down? Or maybe they are hoping to get you in in another few months for the 4th coil and another set of plugs?!

Ozzi_2

And I thought I was the cynical one! I am booked in for a service this week with them as they think that my oil could be causing a 'multiple cylinder misfire' on the car, but I'm now apprehensive going with them as they've already done this to me. They can claim the cost of the plugs back off the manufacturer if they were faulty anyway so they'd only be losing out on the labour cost anyway, in fact they didn't even charge me labour on my invoice this month.

TiTheRev

The oil is causing a multiple cylinder misfire???

Ozzi_2

Well.. You've opened a can of worms now I let the oil go too low last summer and it cut out. Wouldn't start. Thankfully I topped the oil back up and it runs fine now and haven't had to change the engine, but he thinks that could be causing these errors coming up. Also when I fill my petrol tank, I sometimes only leave a fivers worth in and then fill it to halfway, he said I should always have a minimum of half in my tank so it limits the possible amount of air getting into the cylinders and possibly causing the error too. Does that sound right?