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Clutch has gone after 12000 miles

Tryphic
Tryphic Forumite Posts: 4
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Hello

I bought a Vauxhall Corsa new in November 2019 and it has roughly 12000 miles on the clock. The clutch has now gone and the dealership are quoting £1300 for a repair/new part. I feel that this is unacceptable. I didn't take out the extended warranty and have complained to their central customer services department. I took it to Vauxhall as I very strongly feel that even though it is out of warranty, this is not acceptable. I will be looking at other quotes but was wondering if the Consumer Rights Act 2015, specifically section 9.2 would cover this. I was going to pay off the car in November but am now seriously considering just handing it back. 

Can anyone please advise me of my rights here.

Thank you
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Comments

  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Forumite Posts: 5,364
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    12,000 miles is not very many for a clutch, you have had the car for 4 years, so I assume that you mostly do short journeys?
  • HillStreetBlues
    HillStreetBlues Forumite Posts: 1,910
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    You would have to prove the clutch was inherently faulty.
    Although low mileage it was been 4 years  so would need to rule out your driving style.

    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Forumite Posts: 5,364
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    You would have to prove the clutch was inherently faulty.
    Although low mileage it was been 4 years  so would need to rule out your driving style.


    Can clutch discs corrode with low milage as rear brake discs do?
  • Alderbank
    Alderbank Forumite Posts: 2,165
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    edited 27 June at 11:10PM
    No. The clutch is enclosed within the clutch housing. Brake discs are open to the elements, road salt, etc.
  • HillStreetBlues
    HillStreetBlues Forumite Posts: 1,910
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    You would have to prove the clutch was inherently faulty.
    Although low mileage it was been 4 years  so would need to rule out your driving style.


    Can clutch discs corrode with low milage as rear brake discs do?
    You can knacker a clutch just by keeping your foot on it as you're disengaging it while in gear.
    Mistiming gear shifts is another way.

    With the time-frame OP  needs to prove that's not the case,  unless they offer some goodwill.
    Let's Be Careful Out There
  • Aylesbury_Duck
    Aylesbury_Duck Forumite Posts: 13,183
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    I agree with the above.  The possible suspect here is short journeys.  12000 miles in 4 years suggests infrequent use of the car (not a problem) or frequent small trips with lots of gear changes, which is likely to lead to excessive clutch wear.

    What's your driving pattern?  
  • stuhse
    stuhse Forumite Posts: 171
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    Is it you who exclusively drives this car ?  How many miles have you got out of previous cars before the clutch has worn out ?....have these previous cars been used exclusively by the same people as are driving this one ?


  • breaking_free
    breaking_free Forumite Posts: 726
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    edited 28 June at 11:12AM
    Not saying that the OP does this, but my long ago neighbour who was rather deaf used to thrash her car as she couldn't hear how hard she was riding the clutch. She only used it for short trips to the shops, etc. I daresay her mechanic made a good living out of her.
    "The problem with Internet quotes is that you can't always depend on their accuracy" - Abraham Lincoln, 1864
  • born_again
    born_again Forumite Posts: 11,698
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    As car is out of warranty & even a extended one will not cover wear & tear, as clutch is a consumable item.
    Only hope of anything is if when stripped down there is a fault in bearing or such.

    But on a 4 year old car, I would be looking at a trusted independent to change it. If there is something wrong with the parts (other than worn clutch plates), then get them to write a report & see if Vauxhall will offer a goodwill payment to help with costs. So make sure you keep the parts in case they need to check them.
    Life in the slow lane
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