Live Car Giant AA Warranty experience.

FTBJason

I am about to embark on a warranty claim from Motorway Direct and intend to share my experience as it happens.

I purchased a Ford Grand C-Max from Car Giant in NOV 2017, including an AA Gold Warranty.

On Saturday 02 JUN 2018 I took the car to my local Ford main dealer for its first MoT. It passed, but they reported that they were unable to regas the air conditioning due to a faulty condenser, which they quoted £326.00p to replace.

05 JUN 2018 09:01 called Motorway Direct claim line (0330 055 5250) to report the fault as directed in the policy document. The customer Service representative was very helpful, and explained that although the hourly rate would be capped at £40 I could choose to have the repair done at the dealership or I could take it to an approved repair centre.

I enquired where the approved centre was; turns out it is closer to my home than the dealership at our local Halfords, so I opted for the approved centre.

05 JUN 2018 09:30 I received confirmation of my booking at the Halfords Autocentre to have the fault investigated.

I will update this post after the appointment on Monday.

Nodding_Donkey

Uh oh

Halfords
It will end in tears

oldagetraveller

If the "fault" with the condensor is a puncture hole or some kind of road debris damage then I doubt you will have much luck with this.
Other than the distance why did you choose Halfords where it is likely you will be supplied with and a pattern part fitted? (And/or bent over!)
The dealership can't be that far away if they are "local". Did they explain why it is "faulty"?

forgotmyname

If this is live im off to watch some paint dry instead..

More entertaining..

FTBJason

oldagetraveller wrote: »

If the "fault" with the condensor is a puncture hole or some kind of road debris damage then I doubt you will have much luck with this.
Other than the distance why did you choose Halfords where it is likely you will be supplied with and a pattern part fitted? (And/or bent over!)
The dealership can't be that far away if they are "local". Did they explain why it is "faulty"?

I am covered for “wear and tear” until 5 years / 60k Miles, so I’m hopeful of success. I selected the approved route to simplify the process; Motorway Direct can deal with Halfords rather than a protracted “wait for authorisation at every stage” approach if I use the main dealer.

FTBJason

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

Uh oh

Halfords
It will end in tears

I’m keeping an open mind. I’ve dealt with Halfords on previous cars, and my experience has been positive up to now.

FTBJason

forgotmyname wrote: »

If this is live im off to watch some paint dry instead..

More entertaining..

If I were a successful entertainer I would not be driving a four year old Ford dad taxi now would I!?

roger-w5

Best take the car to an independent air con garage,the condenser can suffer stone damage unfortunately its very common and usually not covered by warranty.
After market parts are available,much cheaper than oem parts.

Have purchased a few cars from car giant and to be honest they have been great,some warranty work has been necessary but was through AA extended scheme as sold by cargiant.

Good luck with your claim.

FTBJason

09 JUN 2018 08:00 After a long conversation with the very helpful gentleman at Halfords we have come to the conclusion that it will be a complete and utter waste of my time submitting my car for !!!8220;root cause Investigation!!!8221;.

He revealed that MD insist upon root cause being established because although the paperwork claims to cover !!!8216;Wear & Tear!!!8217; up to 5 years, there is a distinction between !!!8216;wear & tear!!!8217; and !!!8216;damage!!!8217;; the most likely cause of condenser failure is stone chip due to its aluminium construction, and this is classed as !!!8216;damage!!!8217;, not !!!8216;wear & tear!!!8217; and is therefore not covered under warranty.

Under the warranty I would then be liable for the Labour costs of the root cause in addition to the repair.

RESULT: FAILURE.

[Deleted User]

Moral of story: Warranties are not worth the paper they are written on.

debtdebt

Ahhh well, if Ford have quoted £327, you will probably be able to get it done for around £200 at an independent garage.