Main dealers. Why?
Discussion
A tale of main dealers. The car was under warranty and was 18 months old and had covered around 11k miles at the start of this. The car a Dacia Duster with the EDC auto box.
Dealer One The car doesn’t appear to be right but we’ve no idea if it’s normal as we’ve never seen another (decent sized main dealer). Please take it away.
I drive the same car at Dealer Two which is very smooth with zero vibration. They have this car in stock to compare to mine.
Dealer Two There is a gearbox issue. We’ve reset the software and it’s not fixed. Please return for us to strip it down (their words).
Dealer Two Visit Two. We’ve reset the software again and there is no fault. Unsurprisingly the car is as it was when it went to Dealer One. No spanner’s have left their box.
Dealer Three. There is a fault. We’ve re-set it but can you keep it for 500 miles to see what happens.
Dealer Three visit two (they now have a comparison vehicle in stock). We need to replace the clutch pack and will be in touch when we get the item.
To be fair Dealer Three have been good (the manufacturer owns them) but were Dealer One and Two useless or don’t like warranty work?
Of course I can’t/won’t use an Indy as the car is meant to have a warranty and the fix would probably cost £2k.
Dealer One The car doesn’t appear to be right but we’ve no idea if it’s normal as we’ve never seen another (decent sized main dealer). Please take it away.
I drive the same car at Dealer Two which is very smooth with zero vibration. They have this car in stock to compare to mine.
Dealer Two There is a gearbox issue. We’ve reset the software and it’s not fixed. Please return for us to strip it down (their words).
Dealer Two Visit Two. We’ve reset the software again and there is no fault. Unsurprisingly the car is as it was when it went to Dealer One. No spanner’s have left their box.
Dealer Three. There is a fault. We’ve re-set it but can you keep it for 500 miles to see what happens.
Dealer Three visit two (they now have a comparison vehicle in stock). We need to replace the clutch pack and will be in touch when we get the item.
To be fair Dealer Three have been good (the manufacturer owns them) but were Dealer One and Two useless or don’t like warranty work?
Of course I can’t/won’t use an Indy as the car is meant to have a warranty and the fix would probably cost £2k.
Which of the main dealers was the one you bought it from?
And they don't generally like warranty work - esp if they haven't sold you the car in the first place - as they tend to be paid as little as the manufacturer can get away with for the labour & the parts are supplied so they can't charge you the retail price.
And they don't generally like warranty work - esp if they haven't sold you the car in the first place - as they tend to be paid as little as the manufacturer can get away with for the labour & the parts are supplied so they can't charge you the retail price.
Edited by paintman on Friday 12th April 09:18
paintman said:
Which of the main dealers was the one you bought it from?
And they don't generally like warranty work - esp if they haven't sold you the car in the first place - as they tend to be paid as little as the manufacturer can get away with for the labour & the parts are supplied so they can't charge you the retail price.
None of them sold the car as it was a post Covid car hence a Duster. Second hand stuff with no warranty was simply too expensive Vs new With warranty. To be fair the car is okay. The dealers compared to Mazda not so much. And they don't generally like warranty work - esp if they haven't sold you the car in the first place - as they tend to be paid as little as the manufacturer can get away with for the labour & the parts are supplied so they can't charge you the retail price.
Edited by paintman on Friday 12th April 09:18
Paintman said:
And they don't generally like warranty work as they tend to be paid as little as the manufacturer can get away with for the labour & the parts are supplied so they can't charge you the retail price.
I have not been to a main dealer for 20 years, but back when I owned a Subaru Impreza with bad clutch judder the dealer continually fobbed me off. I then took it to another dealer who agreed there was an issue and they admitted the other dealer didn't want to do the work due to the low rate the manufacturer paid.My mum owned a Fiesta, when she took it in for a service and complained about the poor fuel economy they claimed they had updated the software and that would fix it.
I think it is the usual bulls
t dealer excuse as they don't really want to do any work other than charge you £300 for the apprentice to change the oil and lose half the bolts holding the undertray on.ThingsBehindTheSun said:
Paintman said:
And they don't generally like warranty work as they tend to be paid as little as the manufacturer can get away with for the labour & the parts are supplied so they can't charge you the retail price.
I have not been to a main dealer for 20 years, but back when I owned a Subaru Impreza with bad clutch judder the dealer continually fobbed me off. I then took it to another dealer who agreed there was an issue and they admitted the other dealer didn't want to do the work due to the low rate the manufacturer paid.My mum owned a Fiesta, when she took it in for a service and complained about the poor fuel economy they claimed they had updated the software and that would fix it.
I think it is the usual bulls
t dealer excuse as they don't really want to do any work other than charge you £300 for the apprentice to change the oil and lose half the bolts holding the undertray on.Dacia UK will be involved at all 3 dealers as it’s a warranty job, dealer can’t do anything without their approval.
I’m surprised they want to open the transmission, new car warranty is just usually an exchange unit, too much labour in anything else and the gearbox manufacturer usually takes the hit.
I’m surprised they want to open the transmission, new car warranty is just usually an exchange unit, too much labour in anything else and the gearbox manufacturer usually takes the hit.
The key is the quality and ability of the dealer. My Kia Stinger is a bit low volume and from the Facebook group I’ve learnt my dealer so far has been exceptional with warranty claims, compared to others just refusing to entertain even looking at stuff eg the chrome roof rail trims corrode - I pointed them out, my dealer then applied to Kia under the warranty and changed the lot - a four figure sum - whereas other owners have been turned down flat. Same with sunroof rattles - a common Stinger fault but dealers who haven’t got previous experience just say it’s normal wear and tear.
Sounds like dealer three is the dealer you’ve been looking for.
Sounds like dealer three is the dealer you’ve been looking for.
Rough101 said:
Dacia UK will be involved at all 3 dealers as it’s a warranty job, dealer can’t do anything without their approval.
I’m surprised they want to open the transmission, new car warranty is just usually an exchange unit, too much labour in anything else and the gearbox manufacturer usually takes the hit.
The thing is dealer three states that they can find no record of the car on the warranty site they’re all meant to use and record issues on. Perhaps they simply can’t be bothered. At the end of the day, who knows, but the real issue is that it should not take 5 visits to main dealers with a car clearly demonstrating an issue for the vague hope of a fix, because of course the suggested part may not do the job (although I expect it probably will). If all Dusters with the EDC vibrated like mine they’d sell none and as I know, based on my car when new and two other cars with the same drivetrain they don’t. I’m surprised they want to open the transmission, new car warranty is just usually an exchange unit, too much labour in anything else and the gearbox manufacturer usually takes the hit.
andy43 said:
The key is the quality and ability of the dealer. My Kia Stinger is a bit low volume and from the Facebook group I’ve learnt my dealer so far has been exceptional with warranty claims, compared to others just refusing to entertain even looking at stuff eg the chrome roof rail trims corrode - I pointed them out, my dealer then applied to Kia under the warranty and changed the lot - a four figure sum - whereas other owners have been turned down flat. Same with sunroof rattles - a common Stinger fault but dealers who haven’t got previous experience just say it’s normal wear and tear.
Sounds like dealer three is the dealer you’ve been looking for.
I think you are correct but based on my limited survey 66% of Renault/Dacia main dealers are useless. Sounds like dealer three is the dealer you’ve been looking for.
My initial comment isn’t based only on Dacia who have been the worst but I’ve been lucky in that none of my previous manufacturer warrantied cars have developed issues beyond minor faults. That said they’ve still managed to damage cars (Land Rover, Mazda and Fiat) when cars have been in their care. I’ve learnt to take photos on the forecourt at drop off these days.
Main problem is that cars built during Covid do seem more prone to issues. I bought, brand new, delivered July 2022. Duster diesel Prestige 4wd. This was my third duster, the previous being second-hand from the 2014-6 era. Long list of issues, none fixed under warranty, rejected the car just under 6 months in.
Problems:
Rear diff whined like a 100k mile Octavia 4x4's rear diff.
4wd never worked. Threw it out after 30-120 seconds regardless. Even when in rear wheels did nothing.
Oil filler cap could not be removed, a bit awkward as it houses the dipstick
Digital HVAC was useless, on any journey, even 250 miles it would alternate freezing air with boiling air for 10-15 minutes at a time.
ICE was totally random. Some days it remembered it was switched on, others not. Had to reset the radio station memory every week or two. Some days cam on loud, others so quiet you could barely hear it.
Randomly forgot car settings
Plus points:
Best heated seats I have ever had
All round camera system was good, even if a gimmick.
Fuel consumption was excellent and less than expected. Two previous ones (same spec) managed around 44 mpg overall, the new one managed 54 mpg.
I still hanker after another one. I currently split the car duties now, with a 2012 Panda 4x4 for my daily commute down rural Cumbrian single-track roads, with a Mercedes GLE for the long-distance and carrying duties (electric buggy and suitcases for my 94-year old Mother).
Problems:
Rear diff whined like a 100k mile Octavia 4x4's rear diff.
4wd never worked. Threw it out after 30-120 seconds regardless. Even when in rear wheels did nothing.
Oil filler cap could not be removed, a bit awkward as it houses the dipstick
Digital HVAC was useless, on any journey, even 250 miles it would alternate freezing air with boiling air for 10-15 minutes at a time.
ICE was totally random. Some days it remembered it was switched on, others not. Had to reset the radio station memory every week or two. Some days cam on loud, others so quiet you could barely hear it.
Randomly forgot car settings
Plus points:
Best heated seats I have ever had
All round camera system was good, even if a gimmick.
Fuel consumption was excellent and less than expected. Two previous ones (same spec) managed around 44 mpg overall, the new one managed 54 mpg.
I still hanker after another one. I currently split the car duties now, with a 2012 Panda 4x4 for my daily commute down rural Cumbrian single-track roads, with a Mercedes GLE for the long-distance and carrying duties (electric buggy and suitcases for my 94-year old Mother).
MustangGT said:
Main problem is that cars built during Covid do seem more prone to issues. I bought, brand new, delivered July 2022. Duster diesel Prestige 4wd. This was my third duster, the previous being second-hand from the 2014-6 era. Long list of issues, none fixed under warranty, rejected the car just under 6 months in.
Problems:
Rear diff whined like a 100k mile Octavia 4x4's rear diff.
4wd never worked. Threw it out after 30-120 seconds regardless. Even when in rear wheels did nothing.
Oil filler cap could not be removed, a bit awkward as it houses the dipstick
Digital HVAC was useless, on any journey, even 250 miles it would alternate freezing air with boiling air for 10-15 minutes at a time.
ICE was totally random. Some days it remembered it was switched on, others not. Had to reset the radio station memory every week or two. Some days cam on loud, others so quiet you could barely hear it.
Randomly forgot car settings
Plus points:
Best heated seats I have ever had
All round camera system was good, even if a gimmick.
Fuel consumption was excellent and less than expected. Two previous ones (same spec) managed around 44 mpg overall, the new one managed 54 mpg.
I still hanker after another one. I currently split the car duties now, with a 2012 Panda 4x4 for my daily commute down rural Cumbrian single-track roads, with a Mercedes GLE for the long-distance and carrying duties (electric buggy and suitcases for my 94-year old Mother).
The car is good for the money and if the warranty can actually be used. The later ones a bit nicer inside based in the two I have driven as comparators. The dealers let them down based on my experience. Problems:
Rear diff whined like a 100k mile Octavia 4x4's rear diff.
4wd never worked. Threw it out after 30-120 seconds regardless. Even when in rear wheels did nothing.
Oil filler cap could not be removed, a bit awkward as it houses the dipstick
Digital HVAC was useless, on any journey, even 250 miles it would alternate freezing air with boiling air for 10-15 minutes at a time.
ICE was totally random. Some days it remembered it was switched on, others not. Had to reset the radio station memory every week or two. Some days cam on loud, others so quiet you could barely hear it.
Randomly forgot car settings
Plus points:
Best heated seats I have ever had
All round camera system was good, even if a gimmick.
Fuel consumption was excellent and less than expected. Two previous ones (same spec) managed around 44 mpg overall, the new one managed 54 mpg.
I still hanker after another one. I currently split the car duties now, with a 2012 Panda 4x4 for my daily commute down rural Cumbrian single-track roads, with a Mercedes GLE for the long-distance and carrying duties (electric buggy and suitcases for my 94-year old Mother).
Panda 100HP was one of the favourite family cars ever. No good for 6 foot five kids though. Ours was purchased from a very nice chap whose main car was a 911.
Shinyfings said:
A tale of main dealers. The car was under warranty and was 18 months old and had covered around 11k miles at the start of this. The car a Dacia Duster with the EDC auto box.
Dealer One The car doesn’t appear to be right but we’ve no idea if it’s normal as we’ve never seen another (decent sized main dealer). Please take it away.
I drive the same car at Dealer Two which is very smooth with zero vibration. They have this car in stock to compare to mine.
Dealer Two There is a gearbox issue. We’ve reset the software and it’s not fixed. Please return for us to strip it down (their words).
Dealer Two Visit Two. We’ve reset the software again and there is no fault. Unsurprisingly the car is as it was when it went to Dealer One. No spanner’s have left their box.
Dealer Three. There is a fault. We’ve re-set it but can you keep it for 500 miles to see what happens.
Dealer Three visit two (they now have a comparison vehicle in stock). We need to replace the clutch pack and will be in touch when we get the item.
To be fair Dealer Three have been good (the manufacturer owns them) but were Dealer One and Two useless or don’t like warranty work?
Of course I can’t/won’t use an Indy as the car is meant to have a warranty and the fix would probably cost £2k.
No one wants tricky work that when it gets tough are not going to be paid extra for. They want the bread and butter stuff oil changes etc not actual work. Dealer One The car doesn’t appear to be right but we’ve no idea if it’s normal as we’ve never seen another (decent sized main dealer). Please take it away.
I drive the same car at Dealer Two which is very smooth with zero vibration. They have this car in stock to compare to mine.
Dealer Two There is a gearbox issue. We’ve reset the software and it’s not fixed. Please return for us to strip it down (their words).
Dealer Two Visit Two. We’ve reset the software again and there is no fault. Unsurprisingly the car is as it was when it went to Dealer One. No spanner’s have left their box.
Dealer Three. There is a fault. We’ve re-set it but can you keep it for 500 miles to see what happens.
Dealer Three visit two (they now have a comparison vehicle in stock). We need to replace the clutch pack and will be in touch when we get the item.
To be fair Dealer Three have been good (the manufacturer owns them) but were Dealer One and Two useless or don’t like warranty work?
Of course I can’t/won’t use an Indy as the car is meant to have a warranty and the fix would probably cost £2k.
A lot of unfiltered bks on this thread.
Dealers are happy to do warranty work, what they sometimes struggle with is passing the threshold by which the work required is proven to be a manufacturer defect.
There are many reasons for this
- technician skill, fault finding and diag ability
- customer won’t pay diag charge
- technical write up
- demonstration of the fault
My suggestion is that if you pay for the diag charge you’ll get. A proper answer as to the fault. If it is a ‘hard’ fault you’ll get your diag charge back and they’ll fix it under warranty.
ks on this thread.Dealers are happy to do warranty work, what they sometimes struggle with is passing the threshold by which the work required is proven to be a manufacturer defect.
There are many reasons for this
- technician skill, fault finding and diag ability
- customer won’t pay diag charge
- technical write up
- demonstration of the fault
My suggestion is that if you pay for the diag charge you’ll get. A proper answer as to the fault. If it is a ‘hard’ fault you’ll get your diag charge back and they’ll fix it under warranty.
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