AA breakdown repair cover

[Cliff J]

Hey all.

I have AA membership plus breakdown repair cover, so the AA pay up to £500 per repair but I pay a £35 excess if I use it. I think I can claim up to 5 or 6 times per year.

I have just developed a huge horrible oil leak, it looks like it’s coming from behind my alternator and hitting the belts and flying around the engine bay, I leave oil everywhere I park and I’m using a lot of oil!
I have been told it’s probablh the gasket behind the alternator, a common gasket to fail on my BMW E64 645ci V8 engine.
I was also advised to be careful as when they really go you can quickly lose more engine oil than you would imagine and obviously that’s not good.

My question, if I call the AA, get them to check my car, stating my concerns about driving it and they acknowledge it’s a gasket/seal, should I expect that to be covered?

The gasket next to the alternator is apparently a ball ache and 7 plus hours labour!

Any input appreciated.

[Pica-Pica]

No. That is maintenance, not breakdown.

[Second Best]

of course the first response will be from a fully certified mechanical engineer.

Breakdown/recovery services are there to provide a response to anything rendering a car unserviceable. One could say that changing a wheel is maintenance, yet the AA will sort that out for you.

I would suggest calling the AA and saying that your car's pissing oil everywhere you go, and let them diagnose the symptom. If you get a good patrol member, they may even go the extra mile and fix it for you. I remember an AA member doing a home start for me to diagnose a failure to start (was obviously a snapped aux belt), and when I bought a replacement alternator, he fitted it for me after his shift ended.

For all of the callouts that AA techs get about a faulty brake light or low tyre pressure, sometimes they like to get their hands dirty and go over and above. No harm in putting the call in, the worst you'll get is a "take it somewhere else, here's some recommendations".

[Cliff J]

Pica-Pica said:

No. That is maintenance, not breakdown.

Even if it’s deemed unsafe to drive due to the failed seal leaking too much oil?


There is nothing listed saying seals and Gaskets are not covered. Maintenance items such as brake discs and pads are listed as not covered though.

https://www.theaa.com/resources/Documents/pdf/brea...

Edited by Cliff J on Tuesday 18th December 01:06

[Cliff J]

Second Best said:

of course the first response will be from a fully certified mechanical engineer.

Breakdown/recovery services are there to provide a response to anything rendering a car unserviceable. One could say that changing a wheel is maintenance, yet the AA will sort that out for you.

I would suggest calling the AA and saying that your car's pissing oil everywhere you go, and let them diagnose the symptom. If you get a good patrol member, they may even go the extra mile and fix it for you. I remember an AA member doing a home start for me to diagnose a failure to start (was obviously a snapped aux belt), and when I bought a replacement alternator, he fitted it for me after his shift ended.

For all of the callouts that AA techs get about a faulty brake light or low tyre pressure, sometimes they like to get their hands dirty and go over and above. No harm in putting the call in, the worst you'll get is a "take it somewhere else, here's some recommendations".

Makes sense. I’m just concerned that if it’s that seal that I think it is, that this will cost me a packet. I do a lot of bits myself but I think it’s a step too far, especially as if it immediately fails I’m left to do it again with no recourse lol

[Pica-Pica]

Cliff J said:

Pica-Pica said:

No. That is maintenance, not breakdown.

Even if it’s deemed unsafe to drive due to the failed seal leaking too much oil?


There is nothing listed saying seals and baskets are not covered. Maintenance items such as brake discs and pads are listed as not covered though.

https://www.theaa.com/resources/Documents/pdf/brea...

..”This cover is not a warranty and is not intended to replace servicing”. Page 7
In my view that is not a breakdown. Call them, and find out.

[Pica-Pica]

Second Best said:

of course the first response will be from a fully certified mechanical engineer.

You got that bit right - and not a technician either.

[Cliff J]

Pica-Pica said:

..”This cover is not a warranty and is not intended to replace servicing”. Page 7
In my view that is not a breakdown. Call them, and find out.

Thank you, I appreciate your input.
I wanted to be armed with some knowledge before calling, as I know a head gasket is covered, so I’m not sure why an oil seal which is causing huge loss of oil, is not.

The document mentions many items, including service items, such as:


► Service items: (these are items listed as recommended by the manufacturer as being changed as part of regular servicing and maintenance) including:
• Windscreen wiper blades, screen wash
• Nuts, bolts and studs that are not part of a Paid Claim
• Tyres
• Fuel and Air filters
• Spark plugs
• Fluids: Anti-freeze, oil/lubricants, brake fluids, gearbox or transmission fluid, clutch fluids, coolants or screen wash - unless the relevant consumable is replaced as part of a Paid claim
► All body parts and trim (including motorcycle frames and fairings)
► Roof frames, folding roof fabric
► Upholstery
► Keys (lost or stolen)
► Glass and non-glass windows
► Air-conditioning parts – unless their failure has directly caused a breakdown
► Consumables: Oils, filters and anti-freeze unless the relevant consumable is replaced as part of a Paid claim
► Parts for Motorhomes that are not directly required for driving the vehicle such as fridges, cookers, drinking water suppliers, toilets etc.

Nothing about engine oil seals though....

[Pica-Pica]

But the point is it covers breakdowns, and not pre-existing conditions, surely?

[Cliff J]

Pica-Pica said:

But the point is it covers breakdowns, and not pre-existing conditions, surely?

It’s not pre existing, it’s just happened, it was bone dry a few days ago, now I can’t drive it 240 miles to Cornwall over Christmas for fear of killing my engine. In fact I’m Not driving it at all now.
I pay for AA cover and surely my first point of call is for them to come out, if they say the leak is too severe then I can’t drive it right?

[Cliff J]

Just to clear this one up, the AA have authorised my leaking gaskets to be replaced and are paying the first £500 as per their terms and conditions.
I just need to find the other £945

[Wacky Racer]

Cliff J said:

Just to clear this one up, the AA have authorised my leaking gaskets to be replaced and are paying the first £500 as per their terms and conditions.
I just need to find the other £945

Bit of a body blow, but well done the AA.

Still miles cheaper than a brand new/recon engine.

[Sheepshanks]

Cliff J said:

Just to clear this one up, the AA have authorised my leaking gaskets to be replaced and are paying the first £500 as per their terms and conditions.
I just need to find the other £945

I have that cover, so good to know.

Did they tell you which garage to take the car too, or could you choose?

[Cliff J]

Wacky Racer said:

Bit of a body blow, but well done the AA.

Still miles cheaper than a brand new/recon engine.

It’s only a flipping oil gasket as well, that’s the price I thought i’d pay for a head gasket!

[Cliff J]

Sheepshanks said:

I have that cover, so good to know.

Did they tell you which garage to take the car too, or could you choose?

I got towed in by the AA guy as I lost 4 litres of oil in 2 days after I topped to max on the dipstick!
The AA guy asked if I knew any garages I trust, so I said TCS autos in High Wycombe near me, a BMW Indy.
Luckily they deal with the AA repair side so sorted that all out for me.
If they didn’t I would have to pay the full amount and claim it off the AA apparently.

[Sheepshanks]

Cliff J said:

I got towed in by the AA guy as I lost 4 litres of oil in 2 days after I topped to max on the dipstick!
The AA guy asked if I knew any garages I trust, so I said TCS autos in High Wycombe near me, a BMW Indy.
Luckily they deal with the AA repair side so sorted that all out for me.
If they didn’t I would have to pay the full amount and claim it off the AA apparently.

Thanks - their blurb talks about 'appointed garages' or something like that so I had visions of some dodgy place. Put me off trying to claim for an intermittant ABS fault as the indie I use doesn't like warranty companies. I did have the AA change the battery a few weeks ago - I expected a bit of hassle as my car has an optional heavy duty battery, but they replaced like-for-like without query.

If your job is 7hrs, the total cost seems very high?

[Cliff J]

Sheepshanks said:

Thanks - their blurb talks about 'appointed garages' or something like that so I had visions of some dodgy place. Put me off trying to claim for an intermittant ABS fault as the indie I use doesn't like warranty companies. I did have the AA change the battery a few weeks ago - I expected a bit of hassle as my car has an optional heavy duty battery, but they replaced like-for-like without query.

If your job is 7hrs, the total cost seems very high?

They’ve added rocker cover gaskets, x 2 at £90 each, an oil sensor and now 10 hours labour.

[Cliff J]

Sheepshanks said:

Thanks - their blurb talks about 'appointed garages' or something like that so I had visions of some dodgy place. Put me off trying to claim for an intermittant ABS fault as the indie I use doesn't like warranty companies. I did have the AA change the battery a few weeks ago - I expected a bit of hassle as my car has an optional heavy duty battery, but they replaced like-for-like without query.

If your job is 7hrs, the total cost seems very high?

They’ve added rocker cover gaskets, x 2 at £90 each, an oil sensor and now 10 hours labour.

[legendracer]

Does AA parts and garage cover include windscreen replacement?
Or is it only covered by car insurance?

[Sheepshanks]

legendracer said:

Does AA parts and garage cover include windscreen replacement?
Or is it only covered by car insurance?

The thread is a few years old, but there’s a handy list of exclusions above.