Honda trying to rip me off.

Negotiator

I had my car in at the local dealer to have the suspension system looked at because I was getting a knocking sensation through the steering wheel at low speed over uneven surfaces. I was charged a diagnostic fee, for having one of there technicians driving my car around and observing/feeling the problem. Then when I got back to the dealer the service person dealing with me said they would have to charge another diagnostic fee to look further into the problem to actually find what was causing it. My car still has a few months warranty left, is it fair to charge me for 1. observing the problem and again 2. for finding the problem? So they have acknowledged there is a problem but they want more money from me still.

Surely if the part found to be faulty is covered under warranty shouldn't Honda pay for that part and the labour cost?

headpin

It should be a warranty issue if still under cover. The dealer should have advised that if not found to be a warranty item you would be liable to a charge. However, it's a bit premature and they seem to be the type of dealership that give the motor trade a bad name.

I am assuming that is a Honda Main Dealer and it's the original warranty we are talking about? If a warranty on a second hand car that was bought as a bolt on or or part of the purchase deal then normally you would need to get the Warranty company's authorisation before instigating any work. That would then be your problem and the dealer is correct to charge you for investigating.

Negotiator

It was a used car bought from them. After reading warranty documents it seems the only parts that aren't covered are breaks/tyres etc. It has the wear and tear option ticked on my documents which means things lie exhausts, suspension is covered b them. Are they trying it on? I think Ill call Honda UK tomorrow to clarify.

AdrianC

Wear and tear sounds like it's covered under your warranty (I'm surprised, and suggest you read the Ts & Cs very carefully), but kerbing/pothole/collision damage certainly won't be. And that's the main cause of general steering/suspension oddities and noises and feedback through the wheel on a newish car.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Two diagnostic charges and a grease monkey hasn't even looked underneath yet, these jokers are taking the proverbial.

Yes i think you should inform Honda UK, that they have a bunch of wide boys doing their level best to single handedly destroy the makers long held reputation by bending their customers over.

Negotiator

As far as I know the car hasn't been kerbed, crashed or gone over large potholes since I got it. Ive taken some pictures of my terms off the warranty, here they are:






As far as I understand, it doesn't mention anything about suspension/steering rack not being covered. Also, from what I understand of the 4th image does dismantling = diagnostic. As you can not diagnose something if you don't dismantle it.

AdrianC

I love the way the wear & tear option excludes parts which can be expected to "wear as part of their normal function".

Is that _really_ HondaUK's warranty paperwork? Jesus wept. I'll get SWMBO to ring 'em and offer her proofreading services.

force_ten

Honda trying to rip me off.

Really?

if you think they are trying to rip you off then get in your car and take it somewhere else to be repaired

the dealer charges a fee for diagnostics for a good reason, because if they did it for free you would have everybody taking there car in getting the faults diagnosed for free then taking it elsewhere to be repaired

if the fault is found to be covered by the warranty then you would expect the diagnostic fee to be covered under the warranty claim

if the fault is found to be damage related then you will have to cover the fee and the cost of repairs

Negotiator

Seems they have 3 categories for items.

1. Parts that they will cover
2. Parts that they will cover only with the wear and tear option
3. Parts that will not be covered at all.

Yes, the paperwork is shocking.

Negotiator

So whats your take on the images I posted above. Should I be paying a diagnostic fee if A. the item is covered by the warranty and B. it states reimbursement for dismantling. Also, my dealer still thinks I should pay the fee even if the part is covered by the warranty.

Also, could you use some capitals and full stops please?

force_ten wrote: »

Really?

if you think they are trying to rip you off then get in your car and take it somewhere else to be repaired

the dealer charges a fee for diagnostics for a good reason, because if they did it for free you would have everybody taking there car in getting the faults diagnosed for free then taking it elsewhere to be repaired

if the fault is found to be covered by the warranty then you would expect the diagnostic fee to be covered under the warranty claim

if the fault is found to be damage related then you will have to cover the fee and the cost of repairs

force_ten

Negotiator wrote: »

Also, could you use some capitals and full stops please?

Sorry.

I didn't realize this was a lesson in capitalization and punctuation.

Time to move on.