Right, my grandad bought a Yaris 2 years ago, which was 1 year old. He took it in last year for a service and the clutch was knackered so they put a new one in under warranty. He has gone back this year for his annual service, and they are saying that the clutch is fooked again. He's only done 2000 miles in the last year. The car is now out of warranty, and said its gonna be about £600. I dont think for a minute that they changed the clutch last year under warranty, but that's hard to prove, as its not stated on his invoive ( it just says clutch squalking - warranty). I'm going to go down with him at dinner time to sort this out, I feel they are proper trying to rip the poor sod off!! I just want some suggestions on how to handle it really. I dont really want to go in there, all guns blazing and come away with nothing, but I do feel like it to be honest!! What is the best way to deal with this sort of thing??

 

ask them if a clutch should last 2000 miles or not?? they should have a record of work done to your car which proves if its been changed or not. or take it to another dealer maybe??

does sound like they are trying it on...........

 

they said to him that it's the way that he drives!!! I know he's getting on a bit, but he's not a bad driver to be honest and he looks after his cars. I had his old escort mk2 that he had from new, and it was mint, and still on the original clutch!! I just want him to come away with it sorted, rather than me going off it, and walking away with nowt!

 

I think ultimately its expected that replacement parts should last 12months (or under sales and goods, what would be deemed as acceptable).

This can go two ways. Its needs to be proven that the clutch problems is not due to abuse or some other failure.

For example a clutch that is ridden at traffic lights and in traffic jams on hills is abused (thats what the handbrake is for). And therefore is not covered if it shows sign of overheating and excessive wear.

Its compounded by the fact modern clucthes are no where near as durable as ones on older cars. I know someone with arthritus who used to have a Metro, she slipped the clutch constantly, and it survived the length she owned the car (40,000miles local use over 8 years). She then had a Peugeot 306, which lasted 5000 miles before the first clutch gave up, it overheated so badly it melted the crank speed sensor! My other freind manages a fleet of vans (yes, white LOL ) the old transits were never an issue and clutches would last the life of the van, the new transits on the other hand don't. And its all down to how they have been driven.

The other issue is if a crank seal or gearbox input shaft seal failed and contaminated the clutch with oil. Now the clutch wouldn't be covered for that, but it could be argued that the seal probably did fail whilst the car was still under warranty.

Anyway, I take it the car is still drivable, so what exactly is wrong with it? I guess in the end of the day, if you don't get anywhere with the dealer, keep driving the car as it is until the clutch fails completely. Just make sure its got a good recovery policy.

 

They told him that the clutch has worn 85%. Not sure how they measure this?? The car is drivable, no slipping etc.. He also doesn't hold it at the lights either, handbrake always used! Surly a clutch should last more than 12 months / 2000 miles? It's not as if it's canned all over town! it's a fair point about the seals though, but would think this would make the clutch slip??

 

Go in, and be nice. Make friends with someone on the service desk. Ultimately, ask for good will towards the cost/ Empathise that you expect to pay, just not the whole amount. . . . Ask them if it's worth your while to go higher up the chain (rather than threatening to do this) and you should, hopefully, get somewhere.. . . .

 

Michael Douglas - Falling Down.
Job done.

 

Trade it in for an auto

 

............and he dies at the end.

 

Agree with this, much more likely to get somewhere if polite but firm.
DO NOT lose your temper, shout etc as that will get you nowhere. Ask to see the service manager and explain why you are there and see what he says. You may want to get a second opinion AA/RAC etc and then , depending on what that says, ask to see the branch manager.
Stay cool and calm at all times and do not expect an instant result.

Good luck

JBL

 

how does the dealer measure clutch wear at service time?

does the clutch feel worn/faulty to you or your grandad?

 

No ,not at all - feels no different! He's getting the royal run around with this, the dealer is telling him to ring head office, head office are telling him to speak to the dealer! They are not willing to sort this out one bit! They agree that it isnt right, but not willing to sort it out! Not sure what else to do, other than threaten them with trading standards or something!?!?

 

There's your answer. Speak to consumer direct. go in and take the number with you. Call while the bloke is there and get him on the line. Have them tell him he has to fix it!

5t.

 

FFS it gets worse mate - just been chatting to my grandad,when he bought the car it was missing 2 service stamps in the book, so the woman said "oh, that's alright - I'll soon sort that out" went off and just stamped his book up to date without servicing it! Surly this is well against the law??? Honest to God, I've never heard of sucj bad service from a main dealer before, it's like your dealing with a back street cowboy! That's a good idea about ringing them whilst in the dealers!!

 

The service book isn't always. Mine was missing when i got the Scoob but it was registered with the dealer who had done the services and was on their computer so they just stamped the book up for me.

Consumer direct is a free call i think. Give them a ring, let us know what they say.

5t.

 

Try another dealer for this service, see if they spot it

 

It's not on record that it was serviced, and they didn't service it when they stamped it either, she just stapmed it up to make it look like its got a full main dealer history!! Gonna use this against them if they wont budge - Someone is calling me back later, I'll keep you updated!

 

Are you sure hes not got his foot on the clutch, look if the pedal rubbers worn

 

ask for a detailed breakdown of the work that needs doing, then calmly tell the service manager that u think the clutch should more than 2000 miles. tell him u are now taking the car away to be inspected by an independent person and if they dont agree with the dealers evaluation you will contact toyota and trading standards

 

Well, I've just spoken to Toyota head office, and they are not willing to sort this out for him - So it looks like we are gonna have to go the long route through trading standards or something like that - I will have to find out if there is a governing body for the motor trade or something! Gutted for my grandad, he really doesn't need this s**t going on!

 

Post 13... speak to consumer direct/trading standards and go in armed. In fact Consumer Direct there ye go. Call em up! If it doesn't get resolved they will escalate to trading standards for you. If you then make a claim TS will show you did everythign you could to reach a solution.

5t.

 

Ask to speak to the service manager (not the desk staff) and explain your problems. If you get nowhere find out who the MD of the franchise is and write him a letter (sent recorded) I did this with a problem I had with my new car and it seemed to get me somewhere!!