What would you say is acceptible mileage wise to diagnose a fault on a new car?

Would be very interested to know if any legal beagles out there know where you stand?

Cheers, Alex

Whats the fault ?

David

We had to do over 200 miles in a customers Legacy to find a gearbox fault - if that helps.

David

What exactly is the fault?

show issues from 2 weeks in?

I would be very careful to establish who is going to drive the car for the weekend. After all it's not run in yet. I have taken customers cars home many times, but those that know me will support the fact that I look after them like they where my own.

David

This particular car is run in, it only needs 650 miles and no oil change at that point *ehem* But this was more a general question incase I ever suffer the same subaru or not...

The faults:

week 2 - C-E light, for 1 journey only flicker on and off + stop light came on

week 4 - when approaching traffic lights in neutral (when doing 5 mph or less), the car stalls + check engine light comes on - again only happened on one journey!

:(

From my point of view these type of faults can be a real pain in the ass. You know it happens, but how do I fix it if I can't find whats broken?

Sure it has to be road tested, but someone taking it home for the weekend - whats that going to prove when it stalls outside the shopping centre? Will the driver take all the diag gear with him? Whip the bonnet open and find the fault?

I think a more productive approach would be for the dealer to contact the maker and find out if the problem has been heard of before.

BTW - what car is it?

David

Renault are a massive company as you know and sell many more cars than Subaru. It's likely that this fault has occured before some where in the world. I would suggest that before you let them have the car they check with their tech department about the fault.

I had a problem with a hard driven Legacy. The same fault was noted in Auz and modified head gaskets where issued to cure the fault.

Good luck :)

David

I would not take this.

My view would be to reject the car immediately, and get a new one. Speak to the Dealer Principal or Renault UK .

The more miles you do, the harder it will be, so do it now.

David,

Cheers for the ideas, appreciate the pointers.

Thanks, Alex

Ask for a loan car to do the equivalent mileage in (bet the mileage becomes important then).

hello alex mate i think due to the fact the amount of buisness you are giving the so mentioned dealer that you should enquire about the so called 28 day exchange plan that most dealers have in situ for this type of occasion ,the dealer will not loose anything they will just order a exchange car from renault as you know i have quite a few experiences with our french friends and a friday car will always be so hope this helps regards rob

I agree with what has been said...BUT....do you want them to fix it? How can they fix it without driving it to see the fault themselves with the diag gear plugged in......

It ain't gonna fix itself sitting on a ramp in the workshop is it.....

I agree though esp due to age of car in this instance you should think carefully about rejection....however you do have to give them *reasonable* time to attempt a cure as I understand it.

All IMHO of course:D

help!!!! bbs is closed!

David (Shark),

Well, so far they've done 80 miles, and that was just today, they plan to continue to test the car tomorrow and give it to one of their technicans for the weekend :eek: so I guessing total = 300-350miles :eek: :eek:

The car is 4 weeks old and has show issues from 2 weeks in, with the electrics / ecu potentially - but unfortunately the fault is intermitent and nothing logged on the ECU :(

HELP! :( :(

PS. When we gave it to them it only had 700miles on the clock.. so they are adding 50% to a mileage limited car (thru PCP) :(

[Edited by DrEvil - 4/11/2002 8:49:21 PM]

Shark,

Agreed, but I think their aim is to break the car big time so they have something to fix - and giving it to Mr Apprentice would probably do it!

Its a Clio 1.2 Sport (sorry I know I know.. but this does effect all cars including scoobs when problems occur.. sorry about the choice of forum).

Alex

PS. as for intermitent faults - i know mate I get them on computers all the time, usually means a complete replacement or software upgrades.

[Edited by DrEvil - 4/11/2002 9:13:48 PM]