Thread: warranty

Originally Posted by muddys1

just introduced myself in the intro section, but i thought i would post this for anyone buying a new landrover.
i am currently buying a new puma 110 crew cab ( stornaway grey )
it actually arrived off the ship yesterday and will get some pics while its still wrapped in plastic, i am having a genuine A bar fitted along with 3.5t towing kit, genuine mats thrown in, oh yeah and tubeular steps for wife to climb in.
anyway i went down to the dealer last Thursday i think it was, to see if they would attach my driving lights for me while it was in there workshop, but i was told that they had just received an email from landrover aust, saying that anything fitted to landrovers would void warrenty, this includes lights CBs etc and even bullbars, if it is not genuine landrover it WILL void your warranty, i did ask how much LR driving lights were and the price they gave me was $1850 fitted, so they can forget that, i personally cant see what the diffrence is between my cibie's and there overpriced lights is, lights are lights are lights, as long as they are connected properly, its

alledged that they may damadge

computers and wireing, few issues with RR vogue.
anyway enough from me for my first thread, but has anyone had this problem in other parts of the country ?

cheers
Muddys1

yeah so surely they would have to prove this was the cause if knocking back a warranty claim especially if you took it further

well you would think so, but if i had my lights wired in by a landrover dealer, whats the diffrence to them wireing genuine lights

I'd like to see that in writing.

When I paid my deposit in January for a new Puma (arriving June) I asked specifically about warranty issues since I wanted a larger or extra fuel tank.
Not too happy about some some brands being fitted but are OK with ARB tank. In fact they are happy with anything from ARB - so I was told. This was in Adelaide.
But again, this was verbal.

I think the first thing you need to do Muddys1 is ask your dealer for a copy of the advice they received from LRAU.

Certainly the advice I received from my dealer when I bought my D90 about 4 weeks back (though not in writing) was that provided the accessories were installed by an appropriately qualified person then it would not void the warranty but obviously this did not relate to things like modifying the suspension and "chipping the engine". The issue with the lights may be a problem if you wanted them installed from the A-bar as it could be argued that that may impede air flow to the radiator thus voiding your warranty for issues relating to issues with engine overheating. In any dispute you would have to 'prove' otherwise.

My feeling is if this was a real problem with LRAU then we would have heard about it on the forum. This would have especially have been the case if there were any problems with driving lights as these are one of the commonest accessories. Similarly with bullbars.

Certainly, non-OEM accessories fitted by your dealer or any one else would not be cover by LR warranty. It would not be unreasonable for LRAU to instruct dealers not to fit non-genuine accessories.


Cheers
KarlB

Manufacturers warranty cannot replace or undermine statutory warranty provided by legislation. If LR denied a warranty claim due to accessories being fitted the manufacturer would have to prove that the item was the cause of the issue.

Most people are bluffed by these type of statements and do not pursue the issue - one complaint to your local fair trading authority will normally fix the issue.

Garry

This hardly seems fair [or right] but in the real world of motor vehicle manufacturers and warranties they can say and do what they like. The bottom line is that any unresolved warranty dispute for what ever reason between an owner and the manufacturer can only be resolved by taking legal action in a court. And it is a foolish person indeed who will take on the deep pockets of a motor vehicle manufacturer in any legal action. They will "out expert" you and keep on appealing etc until you are broke and can no longer afford to fight and then they will come after you for all their costs. Then it is bye bye house.

If you want to fit after market accessories then if it was me I would only do so if I had a written exemption from Landrover. Anything verbal from anyone is useless. If push comes to shove then everyone will deny saying anything.

The other alternative is to fit your non genuine accessories in the full knowledge that you will lose your warranty.

Good luck.

AFAIK if you go to Fair Trading with a complaint, if the dealer wants to contest the complaint he has to pay $1500 to Fair Trading.

This is a powerful incentive for dealers to settle the complaint before it goes to Fair Trading, so it often is the THREAT to the dealer that you will take the issue to Fair Trading that is quite powerful. They have to work out whether it is less expensive to settle than fight it out.
But I think you could only take a specific case that has already happened ie not the statement by the dealer but a rejection of warranty on some grounds.
However a letter to the ACCC may be worthwhile as this would appear to be a restraint of trade. See if you can get a copy of the LR letter to the dealer , if it exists.

Regards Philip A

The rules regarding complaints to Fair Trading/Consumer Affairs - what ever each state calls it - varies from state to state. There is no one rule covers all. I speak only for Victoria.