Vauxhall Insignia
Discussion
that has got to be a record! 
I address this to fellow Vauxhall Insignia owners who have experienced low mileage clutch failure. After several months of debate?, I have received a cheque for the sum of £1642-19 plus £100-00 court costs. In point of fact, this case was settled prior to the hearing.
For those readers not familiar with the background details, my pre reg Insignia clutch burnt out at 3,800 miles. It was purchased through the Network Q group which claimed to underwrite just this sort of problem. In my case they refused stating that it was a case of driver error. I appealed to both the MD and GM Vauxhall UK at Griffin House assuming that there was a misunderstanding of the situation. Apparently not, their decision stood. Their position appeared to be that the vehicle was covered under a new car warranty which, while covering the dual mass flywheel, will not cover the clutch plate. I found this unacceptable and decided to investigate the matter in greater detail.
After several weeks of research, I had compiled a file which I felt would require a legal response from the company to the challenge of its apparently general defence of “driver error” in these cases.
After submitting my argument for review to a solicitor, two barristers and three highly qualified automotive engineers, the professional opinion was that no independent examination of the situation of the case would conclude that Vauxhall was being reasonable. Consequently, it was decided to challenge the decision on two counts; breach of contract and, under the Sale of Goods Act, fitness for purpose.
It has been a source of regret that, at the age of sixty six, I have been forced into the position of having to undergo an experience which should have been resolved through the application of common sense and goodwill by Vauxhall. Perhaps however, the upside may be that others in my situation may view this as an object lesson on survival in a world where, unfortunately, corporate profit is placed more highly than respect for the individual.
For those readers not familiar with the background details, my pre reg Insignia clutch burnt out at 3,800 miles. It was purchased through the Network Q group which claimed to underwrite just this sort of problem. In my case they refused stating that it was a case of driver error. I appealed to both the MD and GM Vauxhall UK at Griffin House assuming that there was a misunderstanding of the situation. Apparently not, their decision stood. Their position appeared to be that the vehicle was covered under a new car warranty which, while covering the dual mass flywheel, will not cover the clutch plate. I found this unacceptable and decided to investigate the matter in greater detail.
After several weeks of research, I had compiled a file which I felt would require a legal response from the company to the challenge of its apparently general defence of “driver error” in these cases.
After submitting my argument for review to a solicitor, two barristers and three highly qualified automotive engineers, the professional opinion was that no independent examination of the situation of the case would conclude that Vauxhall was being reasonable. Consequently, it was decided to challenge the decision on two counts; breach of contract and, under the Sale of Goods Act, fitness for purpose.
It has been a source of regret that, at the age of sixty six, I have been forced into the position of having to undergo an experience which should have been resolved through the application of common sense and goodwill by Vauxhall. Perhaps however, the upside may be that others in my situation may view this as an object lesson on survival in a world where, unfortunately, corporate profit is placed more highly than respect for the individual.
noel123 said:
I address this to fellow Vauxhall Insignia owners who have experienced low mileage clutch failure. After several months of debate?, I have received a cheque for the sum of £1642-19 plus £100-00 court costs. In point of fact, this case was settled prior to the hearing.
For those readers not familiar with the background details, my pre reg Insignia clutch burnt out at 3,800 miles. It was purchased through the Network Q group which claimed to underwrite just this sort of problem. In my case they refused stating that it was a case of driver error. I appealed to both the MD and GM Vauxhall UK at Griffin House assuming that there was a misunderstanding of the situation. Apparently not, their decision stood. Their position appeared to be that the vehicle was covered under a new car warranty which, while covering the dual mass flywheel, will not cover the clutch plate. I found this unacceptable and decided to investigate the matter in greater detail.
After several weeks of research, I had compiled a file which I felt would require a legal response from the company to the challenge of its apparently general defence of “driver error” in these cases.
After submitting my argument for review to a solicitor, two barristers and three highly qualified automotive engineers, the professional opinion was that no independent examination of the situation of the case would conclude that Vauxhall was being reasonable. Consequently, it was decided to challenge the decision on two counts; breach of contract and, under the Sale of Goods Act, fitness for purpose.
It has been a source of regret that, at the age of sixty six, I have been forced into the position of having to undergo an experience which should have been resolved through the application of common sense and goodwill by Vauxhall. Perhaps however, the upside may be that others in my situation may view this as an object lesson on survival in a world where, unfortunately, corporate profit is placed more highly than respect for the individual.
Well done for standing your ground....did you recover all your legal costs?For those readers not familiar with the background details, my pre reg Insignia clutch burnt out at 3,800 miles. It was purchased through the Network Q group which claimed to underwrite just this sort of problem. In my case they refused stating that it was a case of driver error. I appealed to both the MD and GM Vauxhall UK at Griffin House assuming that there was a misunderstanding of the situation. Apparently not, their decision stood. Their position appeared to be that the vehicle was covered under a new car warranty which, while covering the dual mass flywheel, will not cover the clutch plate. I found this unacceptable and decided to investigate the matter in greater detail.
After several weeks of research, I had compiled a file which I felt would require a legal response from the company to the challenge of its apparently general defence of “driver error” in these cases.
After submitting my argument for review to a solicitor, two barristers and three highly qualified automotive engineers, the professional opinion was that no independent examination of the situation of the case would conclude that Vauxhall was being reasonable. Consequently, it was decided to challenge the decision on two counts; breach of contract and, under the Sale of Goods Act, fitness for purpose.
It has been a source of regret that, at the age of sixty six, I have been forced into the position of having to undergo an experience which should have been resolved through the application of common sense and goodwill by Vauxhall. Perhaps however, the upside may be that others in my situation may view this as an object lesson on survival in a world where, unfortunately, corporate profit is placed more highly than respect for the individual.
well done 
Good result. It's interesting in this little world of the internet how quickly this story of yours will be taken up and used by others as another factor to weigh up in buying a second hand Vauxhall.
Vauxhall Network Q: £1600 to separate reality from friction.
A good reason not to trust a single word of their warranty. What a silly exercise in customer relations. It's a shame you had to go to such efforts to prove your case but well done you.
Vauxhall Network Q: £1600 to separate reality from friction.
A good reason not to trust a single word of their warranty. What a silly exercise in customer relations. It's a shame you had to go to such efforts to prove your case but well done you.
drivin_me_nuts said:
Good result. It's interesting in this little world of the internet how quickly this story of yours will be taken up and used by others as another factor to weigh up in buying a second hand Vauxhall.
Vauxhall Network Q: £1600 to separate reality from friction.
A good reason not to trust a single word of their warranty. What a silly exercise in customer relations. It's a shame you had to go to such efforts to prove your case but well done you.
I spotted that Vauxhall Network Q: £1600 to separate reality from friction.
A good reason not to trust a single word of their warranty. What a silly exercise in customer relations. It's a shame you had to go to such efforts to prove your case but well done you.
ETA: Well done OP
king internet Well done
Can you share the observations of your engineer who looked at the clutch.
I was all set to tick the Insignia box for my next company car (due within weeks) but for a variety of reasons including stuff read on this forum (Clutch worries being one of them) went for a Mondeo instead (163bhp Titanium).
However interested all the same in what I *might* have been in for.
Can you share the observations of your engineer who looked at the clutch.
I was all set to tick the Insignia box for my next company car (due within weeks) but for a variety of reasons including stuff read on this forum (Clutch worries being one of them) went for a Mondeo instead (163bhp Titanium).
However interested all the same in what I *might* have been in for.
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