Vauxhall Gearbox/Cylinder/Clutch failure. Not using main dealer, can I complain?

casseus

Ganga wrote: »

The way i read the original post was that the car could not be put into gear ( as the slave cylinder was leaking ) this would not wear the clutch out.
The first thing to check would have been the clutch fluid level under the bonnet and this would have pointed out where the fault lay.
I am sure it would not cost £400 to repair/replace the slave cylinder and bleed the clutch.

A slow leak on the CSC could reduce it effectiveness to push on the clutch pressure plate and hold it down, it can lead gradual slipping that leads to more wear than normal. A CSC that has got to empty must have been burning that clutch plate prior. A clutch pack and CSC is required. You also have the adage of where is the fluid going: is leaking all over the release bearing the throwing it all over the bell housing and all over the clutch contaminating it adding to the slipping clutch issue?

It would cost about that as whole kit is about £254.00. plus vat and labour

System

Car_54 wrote: »

The independent quoted for the "whole repair" without knowing what repair was needed. Didn't that strike you as odd?

Not really. The number of things that can cause the same fault are quite limited and when it comes to the clutch area labour makes up the biggest bulk of the cost so you can quote on the basis that it needs a full clutch kit which is the most expensive part in that area and if it is anything else then the cost of the parts will be less.

parking_question_chap

AdrianC wrote: »

Anyway, no, OP, you do not have a hope in hell.
Clutches mostly need replacing after ~2yrs because of abuse.

Yes I agree, clutches usually need replacing after 2 years. But a mimimum of 4 years years after 2 years I would hope.

110k suburban miles and first clutch crew checking in

JonE11

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I'm confused. Should it have been covered or not?


EDIT: OP - what do the Ts&Cs of your PCP say about using independents?

I can use independents for repair as long as they are genuine parts. Doesn't affect my warranty or finance agreement. I checked with the garage they could use Vauxhall parts so hopefully, they did.

I think the worst thing is the £1000 cost just to find out if it is warranty to be honest. Yes there is labour involved, so a cost is fair. But Vauxhall need to be making it reasonable when it's only 2 years old and a good chance it is their parts failing. Even if it was wear & tear just over 2 years driven sensibly is very poor.

I think I will complain by letter and threaten that if I don't get any compensation I will voluntary terminate as I am in position to do so. Can't risk spending another decent chunk of money on a car currently only worth £5k.

AdrianC

JonE11 wrote: »

I think the worst thing is the £1000 cost just to find out if it is warranty to be honest.

That's because you're misunderstanding them.

What they are saying is "This may or may not be covered by the warranty. If it isn't covered, then the bill will be ~£1k."

In your case, it would have been covered, so the bill would have been £0.

Car_54

JonE11 wrote: »

I think I will complain by letter and threaten that if I don't get any compensation I will voluntary terminate as I am in position to do so. .

It's seldom a good idea to threaten as an opening gambit - start politely. In any case, I doubt whether Vauxhall's warranty dept would care about the PCP, it's a matter for the finance company.

JonE11

AdrianC wrote: »

That's because you're misunderstanding them.

What they are saying is "This may or may not be covered by the warranty. If it isn't covered, then the bill will be ~£1k."

In your case, it would have been covered, so the bill would have been £0.

I'm not misunderstanding at all, I completely get that. I would have paid nothing. But if they deemed it wear & tear, which I assume they always will try to get away with, I would have been paying around £1600. You have to risk a grand to find out if you pay nothing.

How is that fair practice for a 2 year old car? They were also unable at the dealership to give me even an indication whether it would be warranty. Just said we don't know, could go either way.

If I'm driving a Vauxhall Corsa in the first place, I am unlikely to have a grand to risk. Vauxhall should probably understand that about their customer base and come up with a fairer cost.

JonE11

Car_54 wrote: »

It's seldom a good idea to threaten as an opening gambit - start politely. In any case, I doubt whether Vauxhall's warranty dept would care about the PCP, it's a matter for the finance company.

Fair point, will take your advice and stay polite.

AdrianC

JonE11 wrote: »

I'm not misunderstanding at all, I completely get that. I would have paid nothing. But if they deemed it wear & tear, which I assume they always will try to get away with, I would have been paying around £1600. You have to risk a grand to find out if you pay nothing.

How is that fair practice for a 2 year old car? They were also unable at the dealership to give me even an indication whether it would be warranty. Just said we don't know, could go either way.

If I'm driving a Vauxhall Corsa in the first place, I am unlikely to have a grand to risk. Vauxhall should probably understand that about their customer base and come up with a fairer cost.

It's quite simply the labour cost of getting the car to the point at which they can tell...

The gearbox needs to come out. That's pretty damn major work, and how much is their hourly labour rate?


The difference between putting it back together unfixed, and putting it back together, fixed, is then simply the parts cost.

JonE11

AdrianC wrote: »

It's quite simply the labour cost of getting the car to the point at which they can tell...

The gearbox needs to come out. That's pretty damn major work, and how much is their hourly labour rate?


The difference between putting it back together unfixed, and putting it back together, fixed, is then simply the parts cost.

So why is that cost significantly less for other manufacturers? For example £500 for Kia. Vauxhall and the franchise set their hourly rates and also set the labour time (which they are definitely over exaggerating).

And no goodwill is on offer from either. That is my point, how can they expect customers of a cheap brand to risk an expensive cost THEY set when it is likely to be a warranty or they've managed to build a very poor quality part that has worn out far too quickly. If this is a used car or 4 years old, fair enough.

Who in their right mind would ever risk the £1000 when it's £400 total at an independent? Vauxhall themselves are losing the business for their franchises.