Car 12 Months Out Of Warranty!

BobYoung

Hope someone can help me.

I have a 2003 Seat Ibiza 1.2.

It won't start so I have taken it to my local Nationwide Autos garage to look at it. I didn't take it to the main dealer as it is 12 months out of warranty and I have a distinct lack of trust with them given the huge service bills the saddled with me each year.

Nationwide have informed me that it looks like the timing chain has snapped which is apparently a relatively common problem with this model.

I waiting to hear back from the to see if they can sort it out for my and how much it's going to cost

Given that this seems to be a known problem with the car does anyone reckon it is worth any time or effort trying to get a contribution from Seat towards the repair or is it just tough that its out of warranty and one of those things?

I like my car but this has put me off buying a Seat in the future.

malamute

What mileage has the car done? and what type of use has it had as both influence the life of the belt.
Also what is the change interval it may be shown in the service book.


Just noticed! it is definitely a chain and not a belt?

Hintza

your paying for dealer service over the last few years might pay off now.

Hope all your servicing is up to scratch, if it is then if it has failed before the reccommended replacement time or mileage I would be pushing for Seat to cover this.

Our Golf wet at 32,000 miles and they picked up the tab (fortunately it was still in warranty)

BobYoung

Thanks for the replies.

The car has done 42k miles but like I say the warranty expired 12 months ago.

I will check the service manual and see how long this part should last although from what I can gather it is an integral part of the engine and not a normal wear and tear part.

plane_boy2000

VAG did have a problem with timing belts - I think it was actualy the tensioner which was failing early. The net result was that the replacement time for certain models manufactured between certain dates was reduced from 60K to 40K. Now if you car is one of the affected then you may not be in with a chance as you have exceeded the 40K, however if not, and you have a full dealer service history then I think you have a case for a good will gesture.

Are they really sure its the timing belt though? They usually fail when the engine is running so for you to find that it just suddenly wont start does not sound like a timing belt failure. To be honest my experience with Nationwide is that they do not know what they are doing unless its a really simple job like oil change etc.

malamute

plane_boy2000 wrote: »

Are they really sure its the timing belt though?

As per my post, OP stated it was the timing chain that failed i think he needs to find out if it is belt / chain or some other failure agree with your comments re Nationwide and i would get the car to the main dealer for a precise investigation and report, armed with this the way forward will be easier to give advice.

Keith

I'd double check too, Nationwide told me a knocking noise, was the diff in the gearbox, and I'd need to have it refurbed, took it elsewhere who diagnosed the bonnet prop banging against the bonnet :rolleyes:

vaio

As long as you have a full & up to date dealer history I’d be staggered if Seat didn’t pick up the whole bill.

Certainly VAG (same group as Seat?) have in the past as have Vauxhall

roswell

First step is get the car away from nationwide, have a look in thsi section for some other examples of there great advice (read scamms)

I would contact the deal as i assume you had it serviced there till now and ask them to look at the vechicle and advise yuo what is needed if you dont know any other good garages.

BobYoung

Thanks for all your comments.

The reason I didn't take it to the main dealer is because i have had some bad customer service experiences with them in the past. Additionally, my 2nd year service at the main dealer cost £480, I don't know enough about cars to know if this was a raw deal but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Anyway, the RAC looked at my car before it went to nationwide and from their investigations it stacks up with what nationwide are telling me so I am of a mind to trust them. They have been very straightforward and kept me informed as to what is going on. I have also looked at some forums with regard to problems with my model of car and the symptoms of my problem sound the same as what has been diagnosed by nationwide.

I have been given a quote of £400 - £450 to get this sorted so its not the end of the world. I know for a fact that if the same work that I am told needs doing was done at the main dealer then the dealers labour rate would probably double this.

Its my lack of trust of the main dealer that is the problem. I have no confidence that if I took it there now (I would also have to arrange for it to be towed 15 miles) then I would be any better off.

I will see how Nationwide go on.

plane_boy2000

Just had a quick check - ignore my previous post - it is indeed a chain and not cam belt. As this is the case even more reason to get it back to your main dealers as a chain is not really a service item and should last well in excess of 42K (life of car really) As a know fault then you would likely get a goodwill gesture, but this will not be the case if anyone else outside of the dealer network touches the car. You could just try calling your local dealer and explaining that the RAC have told you its a chain failure and would they consider a good will gesture - if its common they will be prepared to deal with this, but whatever you do dont tell them that its with nationwide!