AUC warranty wear and tear?

[Phateuk]

I had my car into my local sytner recently for a health check, they discovered one of the front top mounts was worn and causing a knocking I hear when driving. They said this isn't covered by the auc warranty.

I contacted BMW customer services and they say the auc doesn't cover wear and tear

The only reason I paid the auc premium for the car was the warranty which the website claims to even cover the battery, am I wrong? I know all 3rd party warranty companies wriggle out of claims this way but I thought the auc would be better..?

Car has only done 44k so not been to the moon and back

Here's the quote from their site:

bmw-auc-website said:

Terms and conditions:-

• The following are not covered by the BMW Approved Used Car Warranty: brake and clutch facings, discs and drums, bulbs (except Xenon), fuses, channels and guides, weather strips and seals, handles, hinges and check straps, trim upholstery and cosmetic finishes, wheels and tyres, wiper blades and arms, glass, auxiliary drive belts, coolant and fuel hoses, the cleaning and adjustment of any component and all service items or items that will require periodic replacement. Corrosion is also not covered by the warranty.

[mmm-five]

They'll probably point to the "or items that will require periodic replacement" part and say that's why!

Although they could use the same argument for anything, as using it will mean it required replacement at some point.

To be fair, I've been on the positive side of BMW warranty with my Z4 (engine, diff, light, PDC sensors, rain sensor, wheel bearings, caliper, etc.), so I shouldn't complain.

[Riggie]

My approach to that would be that at 44k miles, if it has reached its' expected life, the other side would be knocking as well. If the other side is ok, then there must be a failure in the side that is noisy.

How can they claim wear and tear wears out one side but not the other? It doesn't make sense and if they adopt that approach, they will never pay out on anything. I'd be taking them to the Small Claims Court for breach of contract.

[mmm-five]

Riggie said:

My approach to that would be that at 44k miles, if it has reached its' expected life, the other side would be knocking as well. If the other side is ok, then there must be a failure in the side that is noisy.

How can they claim wear and tear wears out one side but not the other? It doesn't make sense and if they adopt that approach, they will never pay out on anything. I'd be taking them to the Small Claims Court for breach of contract.

I agree, but to play devil's advocate...

Maybe one side is always used to bump on & off kerbs, or is closer to the potholes in the road, etc.

BMW warranty would only pay out for 1 of my EDC struts, despite the dealer stating they must be replaced in pairs. So guess who got stung for that, and the 'ancillaries' that were mandatory, but not covered by the BMW warranty as they hand't actually failed yet.

Edited by mmm-five on Friday 2nd June 19:07

[CarsOrBikes]

Oh ffs, the warranty is on a used car, the op said a top mount was worn, it is worn, maybe prematurely due to damage from a hole or bump the car drove over, both wheels don't go over all bumps the same amount, so of course one side can display a fault before the other, even if they do no two components would have the same operating life necessarily. people change one caliper or one side exhaust gasket, or one side inlet manifold, one wheel bearing, if you want the most comprehensive cover buy a new car or one still covered by the original warranty, beyond that, just pay to keep the car nice.

[T16OLE]

Funnily enough the insured BMW, that I purchased when my AUC warranty expires does include wear and tear up to 100k

I have written confirmation that they'll cover worn suspension bushes. That said, I bet they'd still wriggle

I assume its too late now as its already been noted.

[Philv8s]

I am surprised as my car has over 110k with an AUC warranty and I've had loads replaced without a grumble.gaskets, manifolds, pumps, plugs,coils etc....

[Fox-]

CarsOrBikes said:

Oh ffs, the warranty is on a used car

A used car that is considerably more expensive than other used cars partly due to the peace of mind that the warranty offers. I've never had an issue with a claim on the BMW AUC warranty - it has been fantastic and has been the primary motivating reason why I've bought nothing but BMW AUC's for some time now.

[nw942]

T16OLE said:

Funnily enough the insured BMW, that I purchased when my AUC warranty expires does include wear and tear up to 100k

I have written confirmation that they'll cover worn suspension bushes. That said, I bet they'd still wriggle

I assume its too late now as its already been noted.

When I renewed mine last year they said wear and tear was included.

Looking at the policy book on the BMW Warranty web site this is the case if you have a Comprehensive policy.

[Riggie]

CarsOrBikes said:

Oh ffs, the warranty is on a used car, the op said a top mount was worn, it is worn, maybe prematurely due to damage from a hole or bump the car drove over, both wheels don't go over all bumps the same amount, so of course one side can display a fault before the other, even if they do no two components would have the same operating life necessarily. people change one caliper or one side exhaust gasket, or one side inlet manifold, one wheel bearing, if you want the most comprehensive cover buy a new car or one still covered by the original warranty, beyond that, just pay to keep the car nice.

When I pay top price for an AUC car, I do so as it includes a warranty which BMW will say is the best available. They claim that it is equivalent to their new car warranty. Given that, I would not be fobbed off by a dealership claiming wear and tear at 44k miles. Would the average 'reasonable' person expect the premium product that BMW claim it is, to last 44k miles without wearing out?

I certainly would and it seems to me that this dealer is fobbing off the OP.

[Fox-]

I find dealers are the biggest problem with the warranty. They seem reluctant to put some claims through even though they are covered items. Every time I've had an initial issue when it's eventually been submitted the warranty has covered it no issues at all.

I've no idea why they do this - dealer and customer win if it gets approved?

[bmwmike]

Fox- said:

I find dealers are the biggest problem with the warranty. They seem reluctant to put some claims through even though they are covered items. Every time I've had an initial issue when it's eventually been submitted the warranty has covered it no issues at all.

I've no idea why they do this - dealer and customer win if it gets approved?

Same here. Exact same experience with Sytner Cardiff who didn't seem to know how the warranty process worked. Bizarrely. Even photo copied my service book and made out they were doing me a favour by submitting the claim and let's hope it clears. Not great.

[Phateuk]

Thanks for the feedback guys, the general sentiment seems to be as I'd thought. As stated the reason I paid extra for an auc car was purely for the warranty that everyone says is top notch.

I'd have thought the dealers would love warranty work as BMW pays for it not them

I'll follow up with how I get on...

[Thermobaric]

Where does it say batteries are covered? I thought that was one thing that is specifically excluded.

[Fox-]

Thermobaric said:

Where does it say batteries are covered? I thought that was one thing that is specifically excluded.

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/bmw-approved-benefits.aspx

BMW said:

We want you to have total confidence in your car, which is why the warranty is backed by BMW, not third party insurers, and even covers the battery and exhaust. The open road is waiting...

[Thermobaric]

Ah. I see. Different to their comprehensive extended warranty I was looking at.

[tadaah]

That top mounts both should be covered by the comp AUC warranty. Sytner changed dampers on my car along with top mounts. They are are all "wear and tear" but were covered.

Argue it

[sjj84]

Ask another service advisor if they're covered. One at my local dealership is useless, has no idea what is and isn't covered but thinks she knows it all. Told me rear springs weren't covered, fortunately another service advisor was in ear shot and got them bookers in.

I've also had suspension bushes changed on the extended warranty with no trouble, all depends on what they write on the submission.

[tonymor]

My zed 4 is at the dealership today re a roof problem likely a sensor and also for the recall on the positive lead to the fuse box. Again I've got the comprehensive BMW warranty so I'll see how this goes.

[Phateuk]

I was considering going to another franchise (stratstone rather than sytner) - it's slightly further but not out of the question.

A few weeks after purchase the throttle actuators failed and they replaced them under warranty without question so I don't think this specific dealer is always awkward with claims (this was the same service advisor as well).

If i was to return to sytner would I claim ignorance from my last visit and say i want a knocking investigating, or state that this is the issue as identified last time and they refused - will they reconsider?