S Max 1.8 Tdci Engine

[jcr]

Yesterday my Smax engine packed up, I have done 14000 miles and was comming home to book it for a service next week, the service book advises a service after 12000 miles, the car is eleven months old.

 

Ford have rang me to say the pistons are proberbly gone and the warrenty could be void for I should have had a service at 12000 miles.

 

Has anybody had this situation before? I have driven the car very carefully for eleven months and looked after the car, do Ford have any legal rights over this. I understand a service is due but there is nothing in the service book to say if you don't service within 2000 miles then the engine will be destroyed.

 

Advice please?

Do I have a legal right for my warrenty?

[dellybeanhead]

I think the warranty makes a 'reasonable' allowance for early/late servicing. Is 2000 miles late reasonable. I don't know but you will certainly need to argue that it is 'reasonable'. If they dispute it then it would need a judge to decide. If you stand your ground and argue that it is reasoanble then I woudl expect to Ford to agree to meet you half way rather than take it to court. I'd read the warranty terms carefully first though.

[searcher]

Not sure about the legal side of things but you need to read all the small print to try and decide how far "resonable" goes.

My honest opinion is you may be on the limit but as i said thats only my opinion.

Keep us all posted as to what the outcome is and GOOD LUCK.

[NikpV]

I expect they may argue that 1200miles - 10% would be reasonable :ph34r: but good luck anyway if its a major problem I would expect ford to bear more than half the cost at 14k miles

[gregers]

JUST MY TWO PENCE WORTH

 

if you can find (through internet searching etc)anyone else suffering the same problem and ford helping them out then perhaps you could use this in your argument,if they have set a precedent with others then i would of thought they would do the same with you,perhaps send a letter to the likes of auto express to see if they might be able to steer you in the right direction,also give trade and standards people a ring,there a helpful bunch,they also might be able to give you the right info for your argument.

 

this is only my opinion though but i hope you get it all sorted out.GOOD LUCK,think your going to need it.

[insider]

I'd question what caused the pistons to fail that prematurely. It's unlikely that not servicing it within 2000 miles of the recommended interval did.

[Seatdriver]

I asked this question to a main agent and the answer they gave was:

 

500 miles over and/or 4 weeks late is ok anything else tough luck service the car on time when the schedule stipulates!(within this given tolerance)

 

What was the outcome?

[big_kev]

It should still be covered under the "sale of goods" act....maybe.

 

I though the service interval on these was 12500 miles ?

 

You could always get the clock turned back....change it to 14,000km and plead ignorance !

[jcr]

Yesterday my Smax engine packed up, I have done 14000 miles and was comming home to book it for a service next week, the service book advises a service after 12000 miles, the car is eleven months old.

 

Ford have rang me to say the pistons are proberbly gone and the warrenty could be void for I should have had a service at 12000 miles.

 

Has anybody had this situation before? I have driven the car very carefully for eleven months and looked after the car, do Ford have any legal rights over this. I understand a service is due but there is nothing in the service book to say if you don't service within 2000 miles then the engine will be destroyed.

 

Advice please?

Do I have a legal right for my warrenty?

 

to all of you that replied I thank you all for your advice, it turned out that Ford agreed to replace my engine but they did take 3 weeks to decide thanks again

Edited April 28, 2008 by jcr

[searcher]

Nice one. Im glad things worked out for you.