Repair Under Warranty

[spinningfish]

Hello there

 

My minibus developed a fault during the summer of last year where initially the engine light would come on and at the same time it would cut out once the fuel level got down to around half way. The fault then developed into the bus going into limp mode nearly all the time.

 

Took it to my local garage, which is a Bosch Injection Specialist, which is the bus's injection system, and they diagnosed the Diesel High Pressure Fuel Pump, which they replaced and £600 later cured the limp mode problem. It didn't however cure the cutting out at half a tank problem.

 

The bus went back and they said there was dirt in the system, which they cleaned and charged about £120 to do. For around a month it cured the problem. Unfortunately it started cutting out again.

 

I called them and they said that if it needed further cleaning it would be chargeable, and not covered under warranty. Now, unless I'm being totally naive, when a HP Fuel Pump is changed, shouldn't the fuel system be cleaned as a matter of course? Even if that is not the case, shouldn't the bus be sorted under warranty as the cleaning undertaken wasn't sufficient and therefore wasn't done properly?

 

I wrote to them, special delivery:

 

Dear Garage

 

My business partner, xxxxx, was in touch again recently as our bus is back in and out of limp mode again. This was the original fault, which you will remember was initially deemed to be the HP Fuel Pump, which you replaced in October 2013. This corrected the fault of the bus running nearly consistently in 'limp home mode', but did not correct the other part of the original fault of the bus pulling the same fault code and cutting the engine once it got to around half a tank. The bus was returned in early December to rectify this and I believe some dirt was found in the fuel system (??) which was cleaned and initially seemed to rectify the problems.

 

This, unfortunately, did not last long and within a matter of a few weeks, the bus was cutting out again. When xxxxxx called, he was apparently advised that if the fuel system needed further cleaning there would be additional charges.

 

I have to say that I don't believe this should be the case. We paid £660 for the first repair, and circa £150 for the second (I don't have the invoice to hand, so please correct me on this!), yet the second repair probably should have been covered by the first job's warranty as the original fault was never rectified. To pay to have the bus back in a third time, with the same fault, really isn't on.

 

I don't doubt your honesty and integrity and know you have always worked hard to get to the bottom of the problem.

 

I look forward to your response on this matter and trust it will receive your urgent attention.

 

Kind Regards

 

Their response emailed to me:

 

Further to recent receipt of you letter dated 28th April.

 

Firstly please accept our apologies for the delay in responding and we are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your vehicle.

 

After careful appraisal of the works that we have carried out to your vehicle XX54 XXX, we respectfully respond as follows.

 

We are happy to reschedule an appointment to access the fault with your vehicle - Your colleague had previously scheduled an appointment for the week commencing Monday 17th February, unfortunately that time has now passed.

Work carried out on 11/10/13 replacing the HP fuel pump was necessary after careful diagnostics, testing and a successful repair. Unfortunately repairs carried out on 13/12/2013 were due to contamination/ dirt particles in fuel tank hindering operation of fuel pick up flap causing symptoms experienced and not a problem with the fitted HP pump (i.e not covered under warranty).

We pride ourselves in working in a fair and honest manner. We standby our terms and conditions and warranty offered covering our repairs (as indicated on our invoice), however our warranty does not extend to additional parts/diagnostic/repairs that may be required, even if the symptoms experienced may be similar.

It is right and proper to clarify our position prior to starting work on your vehicle and that additional charges may apply as works may not be covered by our warranty (as discussed with xxxxx)

Fuel contamination/dirt particles in fuel system/tank are not covered under our warranty. (we obviously have no control on this and therefore it would be unreasonable to expect us to give a warranty on this)

 

I hope this helps to clarify our position , Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

 

Kind Regards

 

Can anyone advise whether we have a leg to stand on?

 

Many Thanks

[rebel11]

Hi spinningfish

 

Here's some information:-

 

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/cars_garage_repairs_and_services_e.htm

[spinningfish]

Hi spinningfish

 

Here's some information:-

 

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_cars_and_other_vehicles_e/cars_garage_repairs_and_services_e.htm

 

Thank you. Great link!

 

Just to clarify the garage's comment that cleaning the system isn't covered by warranty. Surely it must be as a service!

[Conniff]

Is this bus for business or pleasure, is it insured as SDP ?

[spinningfish]

Is this bus for business or pleasure, is it insured as SDP ?

 

Business.

[Conniff]

In that case you won't be able to use the consumer regulations to assist you.

 

 

If there is a complete breakdown that you consider is the responsibility of the seller or warranty company, then you would have to claim breach of contract and claim for damages.