DMF Failure on Recently Bought Octavia

DBo

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can provide some advice. I bought a 2014 Skoda Octavia (101k miles, FSH) from a second-hand car dealership less than 3 weeks ago and the DMF has started to make a noise.

There's an AA warranty on the vehicle, however, I suspect this won't cover it due to DMFs generally being considered as wear and tear items, and the warranty stating it covers sudden and unexpected failures.

I could have them inspect it but I've been advised by my local garage that they would most likely want to have the necessary parts removed in order to directly inspect the movement and condition before even considering a replacement, which, as I've stated, I'm not sure they would agree to. We could then end up with them declining the claim and having to pay out for the cost of the inspection as well as a replacement DMF.

This is our only car so it would be inconvenient to have it off the road for an extended period of time, especially as we have a 7 week old baby.

So I'm wondering what my next steps are, as it's been less than 3 weeks since I bought the car. Should I approach the dealer and request a repair? Would I have any legal right to a repair given the mileage?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks
Dan

bengalknights

I would go the AA route they may just cover it failing that speak with the dealer.

AdrianC

Definitely approach the supplier - nothing to lose, and that's the only possible first step to ANY recourse.

But, at 100k, a DMF failure is hardly unexpected.

Retrogamer

Even if the DMF is just starting to make noise, it may last for quite some time.
I had an Ibiza TDi that the DMF had a slight shudder with 97k miles.
I sold it years later with 125k miles on it with the same DMF. It was making a fair bit of noise and had some shudder but still drove fine.

scaredofdebt

Yeah 100k is starting to get into DMF replacement time.

I had a Mondeo 2.0 TDCi ('04) that needed a new one at ~170k (it has been noisy for 30k miles) and a Mini (1.6 diesel '58) that needed one around ~100k, both cars had Peugeot made engines in I think.

The Mini we suspect had a lot harder life ie a lot of town driving while the Mondeo has a lot of motorway miles.

With luck you can get another year or two out of it but shop around for quotes now so you can save up for it!

motorguy

DBo wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can provide some advice. I bought a 2014 Skoda Octavia (101k miles, FSH) from a second-hand car dealership less than 3 weeks ago and the DMF has started to make a noise.

There's an AA warranty on the vehicle, however, I suspect this won't cover it due to DMFs generally being considered as wear and tear items, and the warranty stating it covers sudden and unexpected failures.

I could have them inspect it but I've been advised by my local garage that they would most likely want to have the necessary parts removed in order to directly inspect the movement and condition before even considering a replacement, which, as I've stated, I'm not sure they would agree to. We could then end up with them declining the claim and having to pay out for the cost of the inspection as well as a replacement DMF.

This is our only car so it would be inconvenient to have it off the road for an extended period of time, especially as we have a 7 week old baby.

So I'm wondering what my next steps are, as it's been less than 3 weeks since I bought the car. Should I approach the dealer and request a repair? Would I have any legal right to a repair given the mileage?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks
Dan

As has been pointed out, a noise from the DMF is not a "failure" as such. It could be noisy for a very long time.

Also, its not unexpected at 100,000 miles.

I would be inclined to go through the dealer as at this point the issue would be deemed to have been present at the time of sale.

Dont let anyone quote you £,£££s or anywhere near it for doing the work. A whole DMF and clutch kit for your car is a little over £300.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SACHS-CLUTCH-DUAL-MASS-FLYWHEEL-CSC-BOLTS-FOR-SKODA-OCTAVIA-HATCHBACK-2-0-TDI-/263065984772?fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3AOctavia%7CCars+Year%3A2014&epid=12004151868&hash=item3d3ff45f04:g:-DwAAOSwLcNZV4XO

I'd have thought it could be done in a day so even at £40 an hour it should take no more than £280 of labour.

The dealer may try to offer you part payment or ask you to pay half "but his mechanic will do the work" or monies towards the bill. Bear in mind it should be a £600 ish task, not a £1,000 one that the dealer will bill you for the half of.

There is the area of "betterment" here too - noone is going to replace a DMF without doing the clutch so you're getting a brand new clutch in a car that isnt due one.

DBo

Thanks for the advice, and the link to the replacement kit.

I'll approach the dealer and see what they say. I've already got my local garage pricing up a replacement so I'll have a good idea of total cost before talking to the dealer.

I'll update when there's an outcome.

Thanks
Dan