Breakdown Cover: Who has Garage Parts and Labour, and who has used it?

Ricochet J · 31 Aug 2016 at 18:30

Who has taken out parts and labour cover with their breakdown service? The service excludes wear and tear, which defeats the point of the cover in my opinion.

What are your experienced with using this?

The AA said:
With Parts and Garage Cover (also known as Breakdown Repair Cover) we’ll help out with your garage repair bills after a breakdown.

Claim up to £500 (including VAT; £35 excess is payable) towards expenses if your vehicle needs parts or garage after a breakdown attended by the AA
make up to 5 claims a year (6 if you cover more than 1 vehicle on a joint/family policy) cover up to 4 vehicles on 1 policy

RAC said:
We'll cover you for up to £750 for certain parts and labour, without any excess, at the roadside or through our RAC Approved Network following a breakdown.

Before you can claim, for cover your vehicle must have been serviced by a VAT registered garage, either within the 12 months prior to claim or in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines. You will need to provide evidence of this at the time of making a claim. Claims made within the first 14 days are not covered. Excludes claims for damage caused by wear & tear.

[TW]Fox · 31 Aug 2016 at 18:50

I had this on my E39 for about 4 years.

In that time, I had a new battery, new radiator and a new alternator fitted. They didn't quibble at all and were excellent to deal with.

They will only pay if:

a) The breakdown required the assistance of the AA
b) The parts required replacement before they car could be safely used again

Provided you understand these limitations and do not expect it to be a warranty, IMHO it is an excellent value for money product.

paradigm · 31 Aug 2016 at 19:28

Interesting about the need to prove the car had been serviced in-line with the manufacturer's guidelines (in the case of the RAC). How would most people actually prove that in this golden age of paperless service histories?

[TW]Fox · 31 Aug 2016 at 19:29

paradigm said:
Interesting about the need to prove the car had been serviced in-line with the manufacturer's guidelines (in the case of the RAC). How would most people actually prove that in this golden age of paperless service histories?

a) I was never once asked to prove anything
b) If you have a paperless service history, it is recorded in the car isn't it? It is in BMW's anyway I'd imagine other manufacturers are the same?

paradigm · 31 Aug 2016 at 19:34

Recorded in the car in that the service indicator still has a positive mileage/day count, but there's no proof that it wasn't reset by dodgy Dave and his knock-off VCDS cable. I certainly get no actual information other than the mileage/days countdown.

As for you never being asked to prove anything, was that with the RAC or the AA? It's only the RAC quote above that mentions "proof" of servicing.

[TW]Fox · 31 Aug 2016 at 19:37

paradigm said:
Recorded in the car in that the service indicator still has a positive mileage/day count, but there's no proof that it wasn't reset by dodgy Dave and his knock-off VCDS cable. I certainly get no actual information other than the mileage/days countdown.

Thats odd - on the BMW's you get a full service history showing the dealer and what service was completed and at what mileage/date.

paradigm · 31 Aug 2016 at 19:50

Might be different in a car with Audi Connect services, but mine (A4) doesn't have that.

[TW]Fox · 31 Aug 2016 at 20:05

That sounds like a completely ridiculous system. How are you supposed to easily verify history when buying a car?

muon · 31 Aug 2016 at 20:07

[TW]Fox;29959443 said:
That sounds like a completely ridiculous system. How are you supposed to easily verify history when buying a car?

Manufacturers have online portals which the registered owner can use.

You can get printouts as well, from any dealer or the portal.

[TW]Fox · 31 Aug 2016 at 20:11

muon said:
Manufacturers have online portals which the registered owner can use.

You can get printouts as well, from any dealer or the portal.

That sounds like faff. Meanwhile, in any BMW, simply click 'Service History':

muon · 31 Aug 2016 at 20:27

[TW]Fox;29959474 said:
That sounds like faff. Meanwhile, in any BMW, simply click 'Service History':

[im*]http://i.imgur.com/eiBM2av.jpg[/img]

Without internet access how would that stay up to date?

Also how many cars come with a large display as standard?

It's much more sensible to just have a website which can contain more details. Exactly what the service entailed? Who performed it? And the ability to contact the garage that did the service. They can also out additional repairs on the portal (e.g. warranty or wear and tear work).

[TW]Fox · 31 Aug 2016 at 20:31

muon said:
Without internet access how would that stay up to date?

It doesn't use the internet - it's entered into the car as part of the service.

Also how many cars come with a large display as standard?

Every BMW comes as standard with a display of at least 6.5". This functionality is available on all of them.

It's much more sensible to just have a website which can contain more details. Exactly what the service entailed, who performed it and the ability to contact the garage that did the service.

The most sensible option is to have a book, into which dealers stamp things, but short of that I can't see how having the entire history available to view inside the car at any point in time is better than a web portal which may or may not require you to be the owner or something to even look at.

muon · 31 Aug 2016 at 20:33

Were you responding to someone with a new BMW?

You asked why not everyone does that.

A stamped book is far less reliable than a digital service record.

Jamesyboyjim · 1 Sep 2016 at 08:37

You cant beat a nice a4 piece of paper in a tidy folder complete with an oily handprint

[TW]Fox · 1 Sep 2016 at 09:26

muon said:
Were you responding to someone with a new BMW?

You asked why not everyone does that.

A stamped book is far less reliable than a digital service record.

A stamped service book is backed up by the dealers own records and is easily verifiable.

Digital service records are imho not as good, but at least with some implementations you still get a proper service record you can view without relying on a manufacturers website to which you may or may not have access when you need it.

I'm genuinely surprised Audi do it like that. I had made the assumption everyone using electronic service records would record it in the car.

Atari · 1 Sep 2016 at 15:07

I enquired about this a while back, they wouldn't cover a car if it's modified in anyway. The lady I spoke to told me they wouldn't cover the car as I'd changed the alloy wheels.

muon · 1 Sep 2016 at 18:33

[TW]Fox;29960803 said:
A stamped service book is backed up by the dealers own records and is easily verifiable.

Digital service records are imho not as good, but at least with some implementations you still get a proper service record you can view without relying on a manufacturers website to which you may or may not have access when you need it.

I'm genuinely surprised Audi do it like that. I had made the assumption everyone using electronic service records would record it in the car.

So you have to check the digital records anyway?

It also helps prevent a fraudulent independent garage service record.

It didn't cost much money to get an independent garage to stamp up a book. Now you can't just fake a date on the digital record.

[TW]Fox · 1 Sep 2016 at 18:35

muon said:
So you have to check the digital records anyway?

What?

The text you've highlighted is in a sentence relating to paper service books.

Sorry but you won't convince me that the optimal system for recording service history is one where the owner and vehicle have absolutely nothing whatsoever but if you want, you can ask the manufacturer....

Imagine if it was a Saab!

IMHO there was nothing wrong with paper history but if we must move on from it, why does a system where the car itself has absolutely no history with it but you can contact the manufacturer make the most sense?!

muon · 1 Sep 2016 at 18:39

[TW]Fox;29963019 said:
What?

The text you've highlighted is in a sentence relating to paper service books.

My point is that the stamped book isn't worth the paper it is written on if you still have to verify it with the digital record you have to ask a dealer to access.

Sorry but you won't convince me that the optimal system for recording service history is one where the owner and vehicle have absolutely nothing whatsoever but if you want, you can ask the manufacturer....

Imagine if it was a Saab!

IMHO there was nothing wrong with paper history but if we must move on from it, why does a system where the car itself has absolutely no history with it but you can contact the manufacturer make the most sense?!

Cars will be able to access it in future implementations because they will all have internet access built in soon.

Even if it was Saab, their portal would still be live if they had one.

[TW]Fox · 1 Sep 2016 at 18:57

muon said:
My point is that the stamped book isn't worth the paper it is written on if you still have to verify it with the digital record you have to ask a dealer to access.

Most people don't (Although its perhaps good practice, I've never 'verified' the history of any car I've bought beyond the official dealer stamps in the book) but the option is there if you are that bothered.

Cars will be able to access it in future implementations because they will all have internet access built in soon.

Which requires a subscription...

Even if it was Saab, their portal would still be live if they had one.

What about Rover then? Firms go bust.

Honestly, what is so bad for you about being able to just click 'Service History' in IDrive and view... the service history? Why is the VW system so much better?