Warranty claim for leaking shock absorber - claim company trying to get out of it

sky_rat

I bought a 4 year old car a month ago and it came with 3 months warranty with WMS Group.

The car is in the garage today for an oil service and they found the front shock absorber was leaking oil.

So I rang the warranty company and as expected they are trying to avoid paying out, just like they all do as they are scammers.

They said that in the T&Cs fluid and oil leaks aren't covered, only mechanical damage/failure is covered.

Fortunately I'm an automotive engineer so have a good understanding of cars and have repaired lots things myself.

The oil leak from the shock absorber is a secondary effect of damage to the shock absorber - a mechanical failure has occured in the shock absorber which has then caused oil to leak.

Therefore its not the leak that needs fixing, its the shock absorber.

I explained this to the warranty company but as usual they dont want to know, which is why I never pay for warranty because the business model and the way they make money is to do everything they can to avoid paying out !

The garage are going to speak to the warranty company - if they still refuse to pay out what action can I take to dispute this ?

Geodark

Arent shocks normally classed as wear and tear anyway? Dont think they are usually covered by warranty anyway are they?

sky_rat

Geodark wrote: »

Arent shocks normally classed as wear and tear anyway? Dont think they are usually covered by warranty anyway are they?

There is nothing in the T&Cs about shocks, just that oil and fluid leaks arent covered but mechanical damage & failure is. If shocks arent covered then it should be stated in the T&Cs along with all the other long list of exclusions

DUTR

sky_rat wrote: »

There is nothing in the T&Cs about shocks, just that oil and fluid leaks arent covered but mechanical damage & failure is. If shocks arent covered then it should be stated in the T&Cs along with all the other long list of exclusions

I guess they cover it by saying oil leaks are not covered and any service repairs should be carried out, I never see the value of these aftermarket warranty policies.

AdrianC

The seals on the damper have failed, in the same way as an engine oil leak might be because the crank oil seal has failed...

Add in that dampers are a consumable, and you don't have a hope. Sorry.

sky_rat

Manage to get something - warranty company will pay around £170 and Ill have to pay around £100.

AdrianC

That's a good result!