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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I should get this free.....

69 replies

posieparker · 01/03/2010 13:09

I have an 07 Espace. When it got fixed last March the dealer reset my 'service due' button, which meant my reminder of 12,000/annual service reminder did not come on. This service would have told me a % wear on my brakes. The brakes have now worn down to the dics...which is much more money. Am I unreasonable to expect the dealer to foot the bill?

OP posts:
Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 14:44

or gods sake....

if your boiler broke would you ignore it 'because it wasn't due it's service yet'

If it broke due to a manufacturing fault or undue wear and tear, then I would expect someone else to foot the bill.

if your pc crashed would you give out to the manufacturer 'because no warning message came up'

If it was within a certain time limit, yes I would.

don't be so silly and stop trying to blame the mechanic.

I am not blaming the mechanic, I am shifting some responsibility to the garage because the process that assists the owner was reset and did not work.

brake discs that badly worn you would have been able to feel while driving, and if you've been regularily servicing it every 12,000 miles it's hardly difficult to check your milage if you think you might be due one and check if it's close to a miltiple of 12,000 is it?

Brake discs are not badly worn, they have begun to 'scrape' today. The car has not done 12000 miles since it's last service.

OP posts:
olderandwider · 01/03/2010 14:47

YANBU - if a car is sold with the benefit of a service warning light then I don't think it's unreasonable to rely on it. If the garage reset it so it didn't do the job it was meant to, and didn't tell you, then I think they are partly to blame. Perhaps they can offer free labour and you pay for the parts or something?

runnybottom · 01/03/2010 14:49

When was your last service?

Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 14:49

I was going to suggest 50/50...because the fact they need repairing is me driving the car, but the fact they're at the discs and not just pads is their fault.

OP posts:
Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 14:51

rb....may 2008! It has been in and out of the garage for electrical issues many times...

I honestly believed it was only every 12.000 miles or I would be keeping up with them to ensure the value of my car.

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runnybottom · 01/03/2010 14:54

If it hasn't been serviced for the best part of 2 years, I have to say YABU. Its 12000 miles or annually, whichever comes first, so its long overdue for a service.

Think you need to suck this one up I'm afraid.

herbietea · 01/03/2010 14:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 15:16

Herbie, It's the best part of £400 to replace discs. I have no idea which section of the ACt, the trading standards woman just told me to quote it.

As I am struggling financially anyway, £400 is more than I can afford.

Part of the reason we bought a new car was the warranty, the service and generally having no surprise costs. Due to the resetting we now have a BIG surprise cost.....

OP posts:
ClaireDeLoon · 01/03/2010 15:30

I'm surprised your dealer didn't call/text you annually to remind you/get you booked in - I've found they've been quite good at this, I guess trying to make sure they maximise the income they get from each customer.

TBH I can completely see why you are annoyed - I also tend to rely on the cars computer to note when I next need a service (which in last car was long life and therefore affected by driving style etc so not unreasonable to rely on it!).

I would bring it up but I'd be surprised if you get anywhere with it.

herbietea · 01/03/2010 15:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Drusilla · 01/03/2010 15:35

Are you one of those people who don't put oil in their car until the oil light comes on?

Poledra · 01/03/2010 15:37

I can see why you are annoyed but I suspect you'll get no joy. When the manual for my car discusses any of the warning lights, it has words to the effect of 'This does not mean you should not check your tyre pressures/check your service interval' etc. etc.

The responsibility lies with you, not a light on the car dash.

MrsBadger · 01/03/2010 15:39

I am right with Herbie, I'm afraid

rimmer08 · 01/03/2010 16:37

why should the dealer have to pay if you have a lead foot? sorry, brakes are wear and tear most times so YABU.

SoupDragon · 01/03/2010 16:45

Um, so you knew that it was last serviced in May 2008 and didn't think "it must be due another one" ?

Don't go to Renault though. They are a thieving bunch of, er, mechanics. Go to an independent garage.

SoupDragon · 01/03/2010 16:48

"the fact they're at the discs and not just pads is their fault. "

Except it isn't their fault.

thighsmadeofcheddar · 01/03/2010 16:49

Agree with Herbie. It's totally your responsibility to maintain your car.

Morloth · 01/03/2010 16:55

Parking under Herbie as well.

You can't trust the car to tell you when it needs maintenance. You are the thinking being here, you need to take the responsibility.

Also can't believe you couldn't feel the brakes going. Do you not drive a lot?

Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 17:02

I didn't know it was serviced in May, only when I called the garage...I had a baby who NEVER slept or stopped feeding and so time, since
Nov 08, has been rather blurred and filled with holes in my memory.

Brakes are wear and tear....pads not discs.

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Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 17:05

I drive my car all the time, I could not tell the brakes were going. I check oil levels every other month, tyre pressure the same unless I'm going far and then I check everything....like water, oil, tyres.

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GypsyMoth · 01/03/2010 17:06

Bloody hell posie!!! A young baby is no excuse or reason..... Most of us have had babies, come on!!

suitejudyblue · 01/03/2010 17:07

From posie's posts I don't think she does drive a lot (please correct me if that's wrong) because I think if she did she would know the approx mileage of the car and the fact that it should be serviced at least annually.
If that's the case then I think some of you are being a bit harsh but the bottom line is that it really doesn't matter what we think, if the advice from Trading Standards is correct then posie should be straight down to the garage with written proof of that and see what they say.
I drive a lot and can tell straight away if there's something not quite right but I have friends who just wouldn't notice unless their car actually came to a halt with steam coming from the engine.

suitejudyblue · 01/03/2010 17:09

oops x post with posie, I see you do drive a lot, in that case I am a bit surprised that you don't register the mileage.

Original poster
posieparker · 01/03/2010 17:13

My car has a digital display, mostly set to range(how many miles till I have to fill it up). I used to have a real car that I had to maintain, dry the points, pull out the choke etc.....but having a new car (when bought) I thought I could relax and let it run itself....

I'm not saying that a baby is an excuse I'm saying that I can't recollect stuff as easily.

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PfftTheMagicDragon · 01/03/2010 17:13

"I have no idea about the mileage, I bought a new car so I didn't have to thinkm about these things."

this just screams "oh silly me, Im just a woman, you cant expect me to know about things like cars....

If you are capable enough to own it and drive it, learn how it works!