Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty Issue

2004typer

2004typer

2004typer

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Hi All,

Just after the general consensus on a matter that has occurred with my wife's vehicle.

The car is a Vauxhall Zafira purchased from new in September 2013. At the time this came with a lifetime warranty. The car has been on a Vauxhall service plan from new. Mileage is only at 16500 so very low usage.

Just had 4th service and was informed by Vauxhall that there is an oil leak on the gearbox (driveshaft oil seal).

I expected this to be a warranty item due to the age and very low mileage, but Vauxhall point blank refuse to repair quoting that seals are excluded. I would sympathise with this if the vehicle had a higher mileage or was older. I understand that mechanical components fail but this just seems really premature!

Heck, the car is still on all the original brake pads, original rear tyres etc. and I find it hard to believe that an oil seal should fail before these.

Or am I being unreasonable?
 
2004typer said:
Hi All,

Just after the general consensus on a matter that has occurred with my wife's vehicle.

The car is a Vauxhall Zafira purchased from new in September 2013. At the time this came with a lifetime warranty. The car has been on a Vauxhall service plan from new. Mileage is only at 16500 so very low usage.

Just had 4th service and was informed by Vauxhall that there is an oil leak on the gearbox (driveshaft oil seal).

I expected this to be a warranty item due to the age and very low mileage, but Vauxhall point blank refuse to repair quoting that seals are excluded. I would sympathise with this if the vehicle had a higher mileage or was older. I understand that mechanical components fail but this just seems really premature!

Heck, the car is still on all the original brake pads, original rear tyres etc. and I find it hard to believe that an oil seal should fail before these.

Or am I being unreasonable?
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You would think your only cost is the part but labor should be included under warranty right?
 
T's and C's say "Furthermore, not covered are all service maintenance repairs and wear and tear parts" seals do wear with age, but 4 years isn't really that long.
Andi.
 
Semple said:
It's tricky, seals will deteriorate regardless of use.

How much are they quoting you for, and exactly for what?
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Repair quote is £196, but the part is only about £10 at the most. Presume mostly labour releasing driveshaft to get to seal.

andicole0 said:
T's and C's say "Furthermore, not covered are all service maintenance repairs and wear and tear parts" seals do wear with age, but 4 years isn't really that long.
Andi.
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Yeah I agree, wouldn't have an issue if car was older.

Unicorn said:
You would think your only cost is the part but labor should be included under warranty right?
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I'd be quite happy with that!
 
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Something is wrong if seals are going after only 4 years. What do Vauxhall make them out of? Cheddar? :p

But it is a Zafira, so at least it's not set on fire yet.
 
Nasher said:
Something is wrong if seals are going after only 4 years. What do Vauxhall make them out of? Cheddar? :p

But it is a Zafira, so at least it's not set on fire yet.
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:D Lol......had the recall for the fire issue a while back. Think they ended up replacing the entire heater motor.
 
Pretty crap service on Vauxhall's part if you ask me, I was enquiring about servicing for my 17year old e38 735i at my local BMW dealer recently (the car has only covered 57k) and I mentioned in passing that I've had some issues with starting it due to a low battery, the guy looked my car up on their system, saw it had a BMW battery fitted in early 2015, said "that's not right" and has arranged for it to have a replacement battery fitted next week with no charge! - despite me not committing to the service due to the cost and their unwillingness to move on price....

If BMW can appreciate a dealer serviced car apparently regardless of its age then I'm damn sure Vauxhall should accommodate your issue through goodwill if nothing else!
 
Someone at work had their gearbox replaced under the lifetime warranty, 4 years old too. Could try driving the car until it is completely fluffed internally and get the whole box replaced.
 
Steeps said:
Someone at work had their gearbox replaced under the lifetime warranty, 4 years old too. Could try driving the car until it is completely fluffed internally and get the whole box replaced.
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They’d blame the seals and then you are really stuffed.
 
My 64 plate focus needed a new drive shaft oil seal, was weeping slightly, but that was covered under warranty no problem.

I am amazed it went to be honest, however it is about to tick 50k miles, but still.
 
Liquidfox said:
The warranty specifically says that the engine and transmission are covered. The seal is part of the transmission, no?
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they are trying to get out of it under "wear and tear" parts, being rubber, whether you wanted to try taking them to small claims over it is another matter, maybe the threat would be enough

extended car warranties are famously crap
 
The key, as ever, is in the small print.

Is it a "Warranty" (As in extended warranty) or a "Mechanical Breakdown Insurance"?

What exactly does the policy state that is covered? (Like a posh night club, if it isn't on the list, It doesn't get in!)

Most of these "Extended Warranties" are actually nothing of the sort, they are insurance policies against "Spontaneous Failures". And like most insurance policies, they tend to be very specific on what is/isn't covered and generally will not pay out for anything that can be described, in any way, as "Wear and Tear"
 
This doesn’t sound like an “extended” warranty however, the OP clearly states it’s a manufacturer backed new car warranty with unlimited mileage for the duration of ownership.
 
Is this Vauxhall saying this or the dealership? I would contact Vauxhall if this was from the dealer, when you complain to the manufacture its amazed how quick things get sorted (especially via social media).

My Ibiza popped a wheel bearing at 2 years old, the dealership wasn't certain it would be covered under the warranty. They sounded surprised when Seat covered it.
 
Invertigo said:
the OP clearly states it’s a manufacturer backed new car warranty with unlimited mileage for the duration of ownership.
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Except it must be re-activated by Vauxhall every 12 months after a visit to their garage and then expires after 100K miles. So basically, what Vauxhall are saying, is that their cars are expected to last 100K miles and that's it.
 
Liquidfox said:
Except it must be re-activated by Vauxhall every 12 months after a visit to their garage and then expires after 100K miles. So basically, what Vauxhall are saying, is that their cars are expected to last 100K miles and that's it.
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Whereas most cars are only expected to last three years?
 
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