2nd youngest bought a late Holden 2007 Adventura AWD LX6 from the local Dealer.
He's only done about 2000 km's since purchase and so far it's been quite good.
It has remainder New Car warranty for another 6 months or so.
Couple days ago he goes to
fuel up at
the servo - and when finnished, he turns to hang up the
fuel nozze, on the bowser, inadvertantly lightly bumping the
fuel filler cap cover with his hip.
The
fuel cap cover hinge made of plastic breaks, and the cover falls on the ground.
Now - anyone can get to his
fuel cap and remove it and siphon
fuel.
Pops in to see Holden dealer about a warranty claim - but because he was honest and said he did bump the cap slightly with his hip while turning to replace the nozzel - they say it is not covered under 'warranty' and he has to pay more than $100 for a new cover plus cost of having it sent out to be painted to match.
Is this normal?
The hinge is plastic and very very thin, prone to breakage, when you look at it and seems to be an integral part of the cover - you cannot just replace the hinge which would make a lot more sense - it is moulded into the cover metal exterior - thus requiring a whole new colour matched rep[lacement component.
I dunno - seems a bit rough to me - but in these days of depression / recession I guess warrantys aren't worth the paper they are written on anyway.
Shame coz the dealerships about 150 yards from home and the familys in the market for another 2 cars (one for the missus and one for the now 18 year old daughter).
I wonder if dealers realise their warranty / spares / service department lose them a heck of a LOT of future car sales thru their treatement of existing customers.
Do I go and bang a fist on the counter to get satisfaction or like most Aussies, suck it up and pay the $100+ & vote with our feet and just buy the next 2 cars elsewhere?
Anyone?
Cheers