Dacia Anti-corrosion Warranty

JaneStewart

I bought a Dacia specifically for the 6 year Anti-corrosion Warranty.  A small piece of rust appeared on the bottom of the drivers door.  When I took the car to the Dacia dealership I was told the warranty was invalid because I hadn't had the anti-corrosion check done by a Dacia dealer for more than two years!   I had the services done by a Dacia garage for the first three years (as I had also purchased the 3 year service and MOT plan). The following two years I took it to a local / reputable garage for service and they also carried out the anti-corrosion check.  The rust was noticed during the COVID lockdown/restrictions so I didn't pursue the claim until the travel restrictions were lifted.  I told Dacia Customer services I wasn't aware I had to take it to a Dacia dealer but they quoted "all operations must be carried out by a Dacia Dealership".  My understanding of 'operations' was meaning repairs, not checks!  Dacia also state "Dacia can't make a customer take their vehicle to a Dacia Dealership as it's down to the customer"  Surely they are contradicting themselves by making it part of the warranty t&c's?  Has anyone else had this problem or can give me any advise please?  

ThisnotThat

The T&C's don't appear to make it big checked by a Dacia dealer a requirement but they do state

At the time of these inspections, the customer will check that the professional who has carried out the operation has properly filled in all relevant anti-corrosion and subframe check coupons, thus validating the Anti-Corrosion Warranty procedure. The customer shall arrange for repairs to be carried out as soon as possible.

So did the garage you had perform the check actually do this?

With regards to the rest, they're right, they can't make you take it to a Dacia dealership..  There is nothing inherently wrong with requiring, for example, a vehicle to be regularly serviced by one of their own dealers for a warranty to be valid, as this is in addition to your statutory rights.

JaneStewart

The local garage did the anti-corrosion check and ticked the box.  I took the car to a Dacia Dealer as soon as COVID travel restrictions allowed as I didn't think the journey to solve the problem was deemed essential.  With hindsight I probably could have phoned and reported it but it was already outwith the two years anyway!  

ThisnotThat

JaneStewart said:

The local garage did the anti-corrosion check and ticked the box.  I took the car to a Dacia Dealer as soon as COVID travel restrictions allowed as I didn't think the journey to solve the problem was deemed essential.  With hindsight I probably could have phoned and reported it but it was already outwith the two years anyway!  

I suspect it needs more than just ticking a box.

JaneStewart

Nope.  All the Dacia Dealer did for 3 years was tick a box, so my local garage did likewise. That's all the evidence Dacia Customers services requested when I enquired.  

JJ_Egan

Is this not in the wrong section .

ThisnotThat

JaneStewart said:

Nope.  All the Dacia Dealer did for 3 years was tick a box, so my local garage did likewise. That's all the evidence Dacia Customers services requested when I enquired.  

Then take it back to customer service.  As long as your T&C's match https://shop.dacia.co.uk/Resources/Terms/Dacia Warranty Terms and Conditions July 2015.pdf then there is no stipulation that it is done by a Dacia dealership that I can see.

ThisnotThat

JJ_Egan said:

Is this not in the wrong section .

Yes, it looks like they swapped this section around with Consumer Rights and now everyone is posting CR questions in P, V & W.

JaneStewart

I'm new to this Forum, but I thought Vent and Warnings seemed appropriate!  Unfortunately I can't give any praise on this matter as all Dacia did was to raise my hopes that they would consider the claim by asking me to get a quote for the repair, then dashed it by twisting the t&c's.  This post is to Vent my anger and Warn anyone else.  

JaneStewart

Despite many emails, phone conversations, providing evidence of checks, disputing wording in t&c's and asking for COVID lockdown restrictions to be taken into consideration, Dacia customer services say "they will be closing this case as there is no more further investigation to be done".  They are adamant the anti-corrosion check has to be carried out a Dacia Dealer within last two years as per their t&c's.   

mattyprice4004

What do the specific documents about the anti corrosion warranty say (those in force when you bought the car, so in your handbook etc)?