Used Car - AC not working - Garage says not covered by warranty

Also watch for the bit where it says the oil, filters and plugs have to be changed every 6000 miles. Ridiculous when my current car is on 30,000 mile service intervals.

I had one in for a service and MOT where the brake cylinder was leaking. They tried to wriggle out of the claim by saying the oil had not been changed. It was in to get the oil changed anyway, and it was under 6000 miles since the last change. What has the engine oil got to do with the brake cylinder leaking? They also refused to pay for new brake shoes that their covered item had damaged.

Bob

"Bob Smith" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

One of those intervals is _far_ more sensible than the other one... and I don't think it's the one you think it is.

In message , Graham writes

Isn't it the same gas as a car (R134)? Might be possible to get a mobile AC company to visit and do it...

You need to look at the Terms & Conditions of sale, specifically any Warranty document you have (should have) been given. What does that say ?

IMO if air con. is used as a selling point I expect that to mean the air con. is working & *when buying from a dealer & paying for a three month Warranty*, I would expect them to rectify a problem which is notified to them within a day or two of purchase.

A third party warranty is merely a way for a dealer to try and limit his possible costs. Doesn't effect *your* legal rights in any way. Despite what he will likely claim.

Years ago I had a power steering rack fail due to a bad leak. The warranty company insisted on using their specialist who was miles away and required the car to be transported there - at my cost. That 'specialist' said the pump was also leaking as were the hoses - all of which had to be replaced at my expense as only one claim paid at any one time. The final cost to me was larger than simply paying a local firm to replace the rack. And to add insult to injury they damaged the forward opening bonnet by, I think, raising the car on a lift so it jammed on something above. The hinges had to be replaced - adjustment wouldn't sort it. I eventually got my money back by taking the dealer to the small claims court - he settled before the hearing. The replacement rack was of poor quality and failed shortly afterwards.

Was actually a Ford dealer. Have spoken to them and they are saying that their warranty does not cover aircon, but I'm trying to explain to them that regardless of what their warranty does or does not cover does not absolve them of their responsibilities under the Sale of Goods Act.

rote:

And especially when I bought the car I stated that AC was a major requirment for any car I might purchase...

I think thats my next port of call if they continue playing funny buggers...

This 'warranty' is with the Ford dealer in question. To be honest though, it does look crap...

Aircon in your house - that's awesome :-) I want that.

I dunno, on a modern car 6k is a bit OTT, but then, so is 30k IMHO heh. The Vee is 12k intervals - a nice compromise I feel. My 206 was 20k intervals, and by the time the light came on at about 18,500 it sounded and felt a bit rough.

If the garage told you before you bought the car that the air conditioning did not work and you bought it on that basis, you have little remedy.

Otherwise, you have an excellent case under the Sale of Goods Act,

Or get a recharging kit from the US and DIY a lot cheaper. They are sold in the US equivalent of "Halfords" and just about every DIY shop in the US.

That's true. Unlike a refrigerator or an electric aircon, many pumps are not completely sealed (because they have an external pulley driven by the engine). Gas will always be able to escape past the shaft seal. Some units have an electro-mechanical drive coupling which allows the pump to be completely sealed, and these shouldn't leak at all.

Other places that leaks are likely is in the condensor, especially around the inlet & outlet pipes. If the aircon starts up blowing cold air but quickly stops working, check whether the electric fan behind the condensor is working.

If the leak is small and you can get the gas reasonably easily, a DIY top-up every 2 or 3 months is probably cheaper than getting the leak fixed.

Exorbitant. look at

Essential for the summer round here as I'm half a mile from the runway of a military airbase with powerful jets taking off and not possible to open windows in summer. I'd prefer the fresh air. A DIY kit to refil the gas would be great, but so far not found one for domestic aircon. I should think the gas is the same or similar to car aircon, but the connectors certainly are not.

Graham

Yeh. That was with a Fiat dealer...

Why do you find it awesome? It is less commonplace in the UK than in hotter countries because it is only needed a few months of the year. But it is well within the budget of most households, and makes life far more comfortable during the relatively brief hot-weather spell. Probably only worthwhile fitting to the main living area and perhaps the kitchen in most cases, as bedrooms are probably not used during the hot part of the day.

You'll find it cheaper to buy an air conditioner during the Winter months than the Summer months. Portable aircons with condensors that you hang out of a window are also a possibility for occasional use.

Absolutely correct. I've finally managed to find this reference...

BobC