Free MOT T&C

newbie8

Brought a display car from SEAT about 4 years ago. And there were a few offers they had at the time. I took the free MOT for life option. One the day of signing and driving the car away. I asked for T&C and the salesguy said theres no such thing/it would be in the post (cant remember) but as long as all services are carried out with genuine SEAT parts. Everything has been fine up until this year.
Previously, I had always had services done with the original SEAT. However the last 2 years it was more convenient to have service carried out by a SEAT closer to work. But MOT had always been done at Original SEAT due to the franchise. Last year the MOT was done with the original SEAT for free (as always) no problems. This year had a call to remind me MOT was due and the call centre reminded me it was free MOT. But as I was not sure of times I would be available i called up the original SEAT to book slot. In which they advised asI had done service in July with a different SEAT I no longer qualified for the free MOT and it was also in the T&C.

I requested a copy of T&C, in which they sent a blank one which is an updated version. I requested a signed copy of T&C's which I and the salesman signed. Today they finally replied saying that company policy was to destroy all agreements after 3 years.

Now I brought the car outright with part exchanging my old car, so no finance was taken out. Am I right in thinking that even though there was no finance SEAT should still keep records for 7 years, or is this only applicable if finance was taken out? MOT is not expensive but 1-its the principle and 2-over a few years it isnt a small sum of money either.

Thanks all. Sorry if I have waffled on

150940

But you have a copy of the contract you signed plus terms and conditions for the free mot don't you?

newbie8

I didnt sign t&c cause i wasnt given one for the MOT. I do have the agreement for buying the car where it just says I have free MOT for life but it doesn't reference anything about having to have the servicing with their franchise.

Crabman

newbie8 wrote: »

I requested a copy of T&C, in which they sent a blank one which is an updated version. I requested a signed copy of T&C's which I and the salesman signed. Today they finally replied saying that company policy was to destroy all agreements after 3 years.

If they've admitted they don't have the terms, that doesn't mean they can make up some new terms and make them apply to you. That's not how it works. If you say you didn't sign them then there are no additional terms aside from the "free MOT for life."

Ask them to provide a signed contract where you agreed to have the vehicle serviced at a specific dealership in order to qualify for the free MOTs. If they can't do this then they should apologise and either provide the free MOT or reimburse you for having the MOT carried out elsewhere.

dannyrst

newbie8 wrote: »

I didnt sign t&c cause i wasnt given one for the MOT. I do have the agreement for buying the car where it just says I have free MOT for life but it doesn't reference anything about having to have the servicing with their franchise.

Ask for a copy of the terms and conditions that were effective at the time you purchased the car.

You don't usually sign terms and conditions, you read them, then agree to them by agreeing to pay for the service (which you have from the agreement to buy the car with that option selected).

They should keep versions of terms and conditions on file because they have no customer details and therefore no reason to destory after X years.

newbie8

I have asked for the original t&c and they have fobbed me saying that its the same as it was when I first brought the car. Their reply is below.

Due to our company policies we destroy all deal files after 3 years, which means we are unfortunately unable to send you a copy of the agreement. The agreement has been the same for the past 5 years and the free MOT is provided as part of having the car serviced with any Blade dealership.

forgotmyname

Parents got caught with the free MOT for life with VW. 2nd or 3rd year they took the car in and were told its not free anymore.

Even though all the staff were the same the name over the door changed and the free MOTs for life ended.
They managed to get that one free by getting the guy that sold them the car to have a word with the service desk. But that was it, no more.

Crabman

newbie8 wrote: »

I have asked for the original t&c and they have fobbed me saying that its the same as it was when I first brought the car. Their reply is below.

Due to our company policies we destroy all deal files after 3 years, which means we are unfortunately unable to send you a copy of the agreement. The agreement has been the same for the past 5 years and the free MOT is provided as part of having the car serviced with any Blade dealership.

If they can't provide the terms that you agreed at the time, they can't make it up retrospectively.

You say you have the agreement that says free MOT for life and doesn't refer to the need to have it serviced by them.

If they can't provide you with a copy of some additional terms then, quite simply, they have no leg to stand on. I would invite them to either:

1) Do the MOT and future ones for free, as agreed.
2) Agree to reimburse you up to £54.85 (the cost of having the MOT carried out elsewhere) whenever an MOT is due.

Have you spoken with the manufacturer? Based on what you've said, I don't think you're being treated fairly at all.

newbie8

The problem is they are saying that they destroy paperwork after 3 years. And im not sure if this is correct or if they are fobbing me off? I know banks keep documents for long.. 7years??

Ozzuk

Personally I wouldn't want it anyway. Main dealer MOT? far more likely to come up with issues that need fixing (IMO). Take it to a council garage.

straighttalker

forgotmyname wrote: »

Parents got caught with the free MOT for life with VW. 2nd or 3rd year they took the car in and were told its not free anymore.

Even though all the staff were the same the name over the door changed and the free MOTs for life ended.
They managed to get that one free by getting the guy that sold them the car to have a word with the service desk. But that was it, no more.

Why would you expect a new company to take on the obligations entered into by the old company?