Bought a car 3 months ago, problems not covered under warranty

Charliezoo

In March I bought a 62 reg Qashqai from a main Nissan dealer with 12000 miles on the clock. It was the showroom demo and had the balance of manufacturers warranty left. I noticed it was becoming sluggish in first gear and also that the air con wasn't so cold so took it in to be looked at. It turns out that the clutch is on it's way out and the condenser needs replacing. They've dropped a bill for £900 on me for the clutch and said they were trying to get Nissan warranty to agree to fix the air con but couldn't promise anything.

Obviously we weren't expecting this from a 2 year old car bought with low miles and only driven by us for a few months, should I be pressing them to replace the parts under warranty or is it a lost cause?

JJ_Egan

When was the car first registered .

Charliezoo

It's a 62 plate so mid 2012.

Charliezoo

I believe it was September 2012 to be precise.

motorguy

Tricky one. Clutches are seen as a wear and tear item.

Defo should replace condenser unless they are saying its punctured?

Charliezoo

This seems to suggest that they are responsible??

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/consumer_problems_with_the_car_you_bought_e/the_car_you_bought_is_faulty.htm

motorguy

Charliezoo wrote: »

This seems to suggest that they are responsible??

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/consumer_problems_with_the_car_you_bought_e/the_car_you_bought_is_faulty.htm

That covers faults. Clutch is a wear and tear item

Is the air con condenser punctured?

motorguy

Personally I would be pushing the dealer hard for the premature failure of the clutch. Ask to speak to service manager, sales man who sold you car, sales manager dealer principal. Involve Nissan uk.

Make as much noise as you can.

colino

I would certainly be squealing at their Dealer Principal on needing such expensive repairs on such a new car, but realistically the clutch will be put down to wear and tear and if the condenser will be holed (flying stone) and not really a warranty item.
I hope for the best, but I'm pretty sure they'll palm you off with a, "gesture of goodwill."

Charliezoo

Motorguy, the CAB page uses the faulty clutch as an example

Getting the car repaired or a replacement
If the fault is minor, such as a worn out clutch, or you don’t want a refund, it might be more appropriate to ask for the car to be repaired. You could also consider asking for a replacement car. The replacement should be of a similar age, mileage and model as the car you're handing back.

I'm going to call the CAB tomorrow to confirm but it appears that the onus is on them to prove that it can't possibly have been on its way out before it was sold.

They didn't say exactly what was wrong with the condenser, just that it needed replacing. That was the one thing they said may possibly be covered under warranty but not the clutch.

motorguy

Charliezoo wrote: »

Motorguy, the CAB page uses the faulty clutch as an example

Getting the car repaired or a replacement
If the fault is minor, such as a worn out clutch, or you don’t want a refund, it might be more appropriate to ask for the car to be repaired. You could also consider asking for a replacement car. The replacement should be of a similar age, mileage and model as the car you're handing back.

I'm going to call the CAB tomorrow to confirm but it appears that the onus is on them to prove that it can't possibly have been on its way out before it was sold.

They didn't say exactly what was wrong with the condenser, just that it needed replacing. That was the one thing they said may possibly be covered under warranty but not the clutch.

I do agree with you that they SHOULD cover it. However that wont stop them saying its a wear and tear item, in the same was as brakes or an exhaust might wear out.

The dealer - if they-re a main dealer will cover themselves by showing they did some "55 point check" before you bought the car and the clutch was reported as good, therefore they'll say you've worn it out.

Yes, call CAB, but be prepared to have to go to the dealer and make yourself heard! CAB will only offer textbook advice, which might be "write a letter to the dealer"

Good luck and let us know how you get on!