I m looking for some proper advice on how to approach this

[DMCFan]

Hi,

Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Evans Halshaw Extended Warranty Gearbox Bearing Claim Advice Needed

I m looking for some proper advice on how to approach this. Not the usual warranties aren t worth it comments, please.

I ve got a 2019 Ford Focus bought from Evans Halshaw in March 2025 with around 59,900 miles on it. I also took out their 36-month extended warranty at the time. The car s now on about 64,500 miles.

A few weeks ago, I noticed a whining noise between 30 40 mph. Evans Halshaw have looked at it and said it s likely a gearbox bearing issue. They ve removed the gearbox and confirmed it needs a transmission bearing. I ve been quoted around £1,800 in total, roughly £1,000 for parts and labour, plus another £800 or so for the gearbox removal and inspection.

The service advisor said he ll ask the question about warranty cover. The extended warranty paperwork clearly lists gearbox bearings as covered. The car was last serviced by Evans Halshaw in February, and I ve since had a new oil and filter done there again in October out of my own pocket. I also have a service plan in place to keep maintenance up to date.

I ve only had the car just over 7 months and driven about 4,600 miles in that time. It s been properly maintained and the fault was reported as soon as I noticed it.

My concern is that they might try to label it as wear and tear, which I don t think is fair given the short ownership and low mileage.

So I m hoping for advice from people who ve actually dealt with Evans Halshaw warranty claims, especially:

Has anyone had a gearbox or transmission repair successfully approved under their extended warranty?

If they reject it, what s the best process to appeal through Evans Halshaw directly or the Motor Ombudsman?

If I have to pay for the repair upfront (to get the car back) and then win the appeal, am I entitled to recover the full cost and any small interest from a short-term loan I ve taken to cover it?

I m not looking to bash the warranty. I just want some straight, constructive advice from people who ve been through the same process.

Thanks in advance.

Edited by DMCFan on Wednesday 12th November 18:49

Edited by DMCFan on Wednesday 12th November 19:14

[carinaman]

I've not been through it. I hope you get it resolved. It read like something that may receive better responses on the Honest John motoring forum website if it's still active and I don't know if you'll warranty bashing there. I don't know if there's a section of PH warranty experts frequent.

[ChocolateFrog]

So it says in the paperwork that it's covered and they haven't refused to cover it?

Sounds like a lot of worry for something that might not happen.

[DMCFan]

Thanks both yeah, it’s listed as a covered component in the paperwork, and they haven’t refused it yet. I’m just trying to be prepared in case they try to class it as wear and tear. From what I’ve read, gearbox bearings shouldn’t fail this early, so hopefully it’s straightforward and covered. Appreciate the Honest John tip. I might check there too if it drags on.

[Trevor555]

DMCFan said:

Evans Halshaw have looked at it and said it s likely a gearbox bearing issue. They ve removed the gearbox and confirmed it needs a transmission bearing.

The extended warranty paperwork clearly lists gearbox bearings as covered. The car was last serviced by Evans Halshaw in February, and I ve since had a new oil and filter done there again in October out of my own pocket.

Edited by DMCFan on Wednesday 12th November 18:49

Edited by DMCFan on Wednesday 12th November 19:14

I'm sure you'll be ok, and the claim will go through.

However, is there a claim limit on the warranty?

The only way they might try to wriggle is if they say the gearbox had an oil leak, and was low on oil, but you've had it serviced since by them, and they would have mentioned an oil leak wouldn't they. So I think you'll be safe from that one.

Please let us know the outcome.

[DMCFan]

No leaks. When I had the oil change on the 13th October. They did a health check to. They gave the column for leaks as green. So no leaks.

There is a claim limit which is the cost of the car. Which was 11k.

[DMCFan]

[stevemcs]

The one and only time we dealt with them they covered the cost of a flywheel but not the clutch, they also had a labour limit of £35plus vat per hour - i would be checking the small print.

[DMCFan]

stevemcs said:

The one and only time we dealt with them they covered the cost of a flywheel but not the clutch, they also had a labour limit of £35plus vat per hour - i would be checking the small print.

Good shout. I’ve already checked the paperwork, and there’s no mention of a labour rate cap anywhere in mine. It just says parts and labour are covered for listed components, which includes internal gearbox bearings. I’ll definitely double-check with them though, as I know some dealers try to add limits that aren’t actually stated in the policy.

[E-bmw]

DMCFan said:

stevemcs said:

The one and only time we dealt with them they covered the cost of a flywheel but not the clutch, they also had a labour limit of £35plus vat per hour - i would be checking the small print.

Good shout. I ve already checked the paperwork, and there s no mention of a labour rate cap anywhere in mine. It just says parts and labour are covered for listed components, which includes internal gearbox bearings. I ll definitely double-check with them though, as I know some dealers try to add limits that aren t actually stated in the policy.

Don't know if you will have the same issues I had with a warranty previously.

My job wasn't covered for different reasons, but that is not my point here.

They had a "diagnostic limit" of 1 hour of labour only, so if yours is similar your £800 to inspect remove may or may not be covered.

Also you MUST have them say yay or nay before the job is started with the one I had, but it was not E/H so none of this may be relevant, but worth a check.

Basically if you stray from the path of their Ts & Cs forget it!

[AlwynMike]

As has been mentioned, there may be a limit on the hourly rate.
My only experience wasn't with EH.
The warranty was up to ”Main Dealer” rates, not Indy (it was in my local garage).
The Diagnostic hour was a farce in my case as the fault (supercharger bearing) involved a major dismantle to even see it!
The kicker was that the Warranty would only accept the ”book” times, not the actual hours worked, which in my case was quite a bit over.
My garage billed for the ”book” hours at a significantly higher rate than their normal, so I ended up just paying the excess. You may not get that flexibility with a faceless dealer.

[Mikebentley]

The labour rate limit is always the kicker. It’s why I’ve just taken the LR extended warranty on my Defender as at £260 per hour I didn’t want the possible burden of the difference between what a warranty will pay and the correct rate.

[DMCFan]

Just had a call. Warranty is covering everything. So relieved.

Have asked them to replace the clutch while the gearbox is out.

[ilikejam]

Great to hear that OP

[Trevor555]

DMCFan said:

Just had a call. Warranty is covering everything. So relieved.

Have asked them to replace the clutch while the gearbox is out.

Great news.

Evans Halshaw just went up, ever so slighty, in my opnion of them.

[Mad Maximus]

Good news and having a conversation about while you’re in there is a good idea.