Halfords Car Battery Warranty For Used Car

johnggold

I recently bought a used car from a garage, and the Halfords battery has failed.

I checked the battery and it had a section requiring the date of purchase to be marked with X's on the month, year. Nothing marked.

However it did have the date for Recharge printed by the manufacturer.

This was dated October 2018. I then checked the same date in store and the new batteries were dated July 2020. This dates the old battery to less than 2 years, and the battery which is Halfords own make has a 4 year warranty.

I purchased the new battery and I pointed out during purchase that Halfords were not marking the battery, nor taking the registration number of the vehicle.

When I approached Halfords, when presenting the old battery the next day, they insisted on the original purchase receipt, which I would not have, since I purchased the car with the battery.

I believe that not marking the battery, plus not recording the vehicle registration at timer of purchase deliberately ensures that in many cases they can refuse to honour the warranty.

I intend to contest this, from reading various blogs, but would welcome advice on whether to contest on fitness for purpose or on other grounds.

BoGoF

Is the warranty even transferrable?

And if it is but the warranty terms say proof of purchase required then your quest is over.

shaun_from_Africa

johnggold wrote: »

When I approached Halfords, when presenting the old battery the next day, they insisted on the original purchase receipt, which I would not have, since I purchased the car with the battery.

Without the original receipt or other proof of purchase, yiou have no chance.

What do I do if I think there is something wrong with my car battery?

In the unlikely event that you experience problems with your car battery within your guarantee timeframe, just bring it back in store with your paper receipt, or itemised bank statement and we'll carry out a full health check, including testing of the car's alternator. This will determine if there's a fault with the car battery that has arisen from a manufacturing defect.

cajef

From Halfords terms and conditions

All parts supplied and fitted by Halfords Autocentres are guaranteed for either 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever is sooner) while the car remains in ownership of the bill payer.

Car_54

As above, the guarantee was almost certainly not transferrable.


OP, you've seen one Halfords battery fail prematurely. Why did you buy another one?

facade

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Without the original receipt or other proof of purchase, you have no chance.

Even if you do keep the receipt, they use a special paper that goes completely blank after 12 months. Have a look at any Halfords receipts you have kept


OP, you have no chance because


1) you didn't buy it. (The warranty is with the original purchaser)

2) you don't have the receipt to claim you did buy it
3) they will test the old one and declare that it failed due to misuse- e.g. over discharged, rather than a manufacturing fault.

greyteam1959

That's why I photocopy or scan ALL thermal receipts that I want to keep.

facade

greyteam1959 wrote: »

That's why I photocopy or scan ALL thermal receipts that I want to keep.

That is a good idea, I could easily search for them by name then.


I bet the small print says that receipts must be the originals, not copies though

worried_jim

facade wrote: »

Even if you do keep the receipt, they use a special paper that goes completely blank after 12 months. Have a look at any Halfords receipts you have kept.

I've just done this and lo and behold! I had no idea this was a thing, guess I'm not getting a refund on my Aircon recharge gas bottle.

AdrianC

Ah, happy memories of Sinclair thermal printers on shiny bogroll.

johnggold

I don't think that battery condition is relevant.

Halfords made it clear that if I had the original receipt they would give an immediate refund but to the original owner using the receipt details, who no longer owns the product. I would not get a penny of that. In effect I would be paying out to the original owner.

I battery clearly states 4 year warranty, and there are no caveats e.g subject to terms and conditions.

Under EU law all products of this type have a minimum 2 year warranty but I don't know if it is conditional on being the original owner.