BMW Service...

MisChief

MisChief

MisChief

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Joined
8 Mar 2005
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So.. I took my car to BMW to get the following work done/looked at:

- MOT
- Interior rattling noises
- Brakes squealing
- Metal clunking noises at the rear
- Windscreen washer jets not working

I expected everything to be covered under warranty except for MOT, interior rattling and brakes squealing. I was even told by the BMW technician that the washer jets and metal clunking problem would be covered by warranty.

I asked if I would be contacted and advised of the costs before any work was carried out, and BMW said 'of course'.

So now BMW calls me and says my car is ready to be picked up, but nothing was covered under warranty and the total cost of everything is £559!!!!!!
I now need to go in and talk to the manager because i'm clearly not paying that, especially as they didn't advise me of the cost before carrying out the work.

Where do I stand here... What if the manager insists that I pay otherwise I can't take my car? I have their loan car, but I can't exactly keep it if they won't give me my car back without paying a stupid amount of money... don't want to end up at the police station lol
 
Just go in there and be firm, if you get no joy with the service manager say you want to speak to the dealer principle. If he is not there tell them you are not paying it till you have spoken to him and go back in the new year.

Is this BMW in Banstead out of interest?
 
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If you were not contacted then on moral grounds they cant perform the work.

If the cars under warranty then surely all of these things are down to them to sort under that guarantee.

Your warranty wording is usually for anything in the first year, then afterwards trim etc count as 'wear and tear'

You can reccomend they undo all of the work and put the car back to how it was.
 
They should have confirmed if the items were covered under warranty before commencing the work and they definitely should have contacted you first. See the service manager, explain this and start mentioning about head office and they'll probably back down. They are in the wrong here. What's the breakdown of the costs?
 
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Is this with the manufacturers warranty or is it an extended policy/third party?

The only fault I couldn't see obviously coming under a "proper" warranty were the squealing brakes, and even then they should have informed you of costs before any work was carried out.

I would say it is a good thing you've got a Loan car though - That should motive them to get this sorted a lot quicker than if you didn't.
 
I think you should go into PMT rage and threaten to smash the loan car through the garage if they don't honour the warranty-bound items.
 
We found ourselves in a similar situation, although for no where near that amount of money in November with our local BMW dealer when the MINI went in to investigate an engine rattle.

We left them instructions not to complete anything other than the investigation into the engine rattle without ringing us first, which they never did.

Engine rattle turned out to be an issue with the timing chain and water pump covered as goodwill by BMW (as the warranty had run out by 5 weeks)

The dealer however also decided to complete a MINI health check and replaced the engine oil and wiper blades all round. Baring in mind the same dealer were also the last people to replace the oil less than 4 months prior during the service there was no way it was due.

We went to pick up the car and the service advisor confirmed we had to pay something like £100.00 plus VAT for the oil and wiper blades before we could have the car back. We refused on the basis we never agreed to the work. This went on for about 10-15 minutes with the advisor just repeating the money was owed as the work had been completed. The turning point came when I pointed out that I had a bottle of BMW approved oil in our other car outside, and told them they could take their oil out and the blades off the car and I'd sort them myself.

The advisor annoyed at this stage went and had a chat with the service manager, and about 5 minutes later the service manager came out apologised, and offered to cover the additional work free of charge.
 
You have a 118d right? Keep the loan car! :p

On a more serious note, you need to go in there and refuse if it is indeed covered by warranty and/or wasn't done with your permission.
 
Janesy B said:
What's the breakdown of the costs?
Click to expand...
Iirc MOT £55,
Removing and cleaning the washer fluid container £121, road test £77, remove drive shaft and lubricate £187?, another road test £44 plus something else and VAT... I'm at the dealers now, waiting to speak to someone...
 
Dealers are terrible for this.

Dig your heels in and don't concede. They should never have done the work without authorisation. Booking the car in for an MOT and a "will you have a look at this and call me if its not under warranty" is not a carte blanche to charge you for whatever they want.
 
MisChief said:
Iirc MOT £55,
Removing and cleaning the washer fluid container £121, road test £77, remove drive shaft and lubricate £187?, another road test £44 plus something else and VAT... I'm at the dealers now, waiting to speak to someone...
Click to expand...

£77 for a road test ????????

They are charging you £77 because they aren't sure if they've fixed the problem and for the pleasure of driving YOUR car.

Tell them where to get lost.

I'd argue personally everything should be covered under warranty. If they dig their heals in and refuse and even the manager refuses, speak to BMW. Thats what i did with my Vauxhall. The manager was adament it wasn't covered warranty , i was. Only next logical step was to speak to vauxhall customer services who agreed and phoned the dealer to over rule them :cool:

BMW Customer Services

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/about/cservices

0870 5050 160

Thats where i'd start if the dealer doesnt budge.
 
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Ahaha road test, they charge you for taking the car for a spin around the block to check the fault has been rectified. Praise the lord for my cheap Ford and local Polski garage. Be stubborn and don't take no for an answer.
 
So you have got 130 quids worth of road test charges? That lot are on drugs.
 
I've only just twigged this after reading it again, but they've charged you for two road tests. Thats just plain stupid.

Why not wait till the end and do just one road test ? thats charging you for charging's sake.

You could argue they shouldn't need to charge you for a road test at all, but thats another argument. Two road test charges just makes it obvious they are trying to rip you.
 
MrLOL said:
I've only just twigged this after reading it again, but they've charged you for two road tests. Thats just plain stupid.

Why not wait till the end and do just one road test ? thats charging you for charging's sake.

You argue they shouldn't need to charge you for a road test at all, but thats another argument. Two roadtest charges just makes it obvious they are trying to rip you.
Click to expand...

I have never ever in my whole life paid for a road test, im sure the money has been added in somewhere but iv never seen it itemised ever. I cant believe that, 2 raod tests and 2 charges, amazing, how to win customers and keep them.
 
Exactly

Doesn't cost £77 to take the car for a 10 min trip round the block. Takes the guy 2/3 minutes to get in the car and move it out of the workshop anyway.
 
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