Hi All,

I'd be grateful for any advice you might have on a problem I'm currently having with Hyundai UK.

I own a Hyundai Coupe which has been largely trouble free since I bought it (new) in March 2003. As you might know, Hyundai sell new cars with a 5 year warranty - one of the their key selling points in the UK and has proven a very successful strategy. The car was registered on March 17th 2003 and the warranty runs 5 years from that date.

Now, on the 14th March I was driving to work and the car stuttered at a junction. It didn't stall, but the "check engine" light came on and stayed on. This is the first time I've ever seen that light, so was alarmed to say the least. I called my local Hyundai dealer, explained the issue and also the impending warranty expiry, and they booked it in for Monday 17th March.

I took it into the dealer as agreed and left it there all day on Monday 17th March. I picked it up in the afternoon and they explained that a lead had perished and was causing a misfire - they had ordered a replacement. I brought the car back in the next day (Tuesday 18th March), the lead was replaced and £25 or so later I drove home. When I got home, the car misfired again and the "check engine" light came back on!

I took it back into the dealer on the Wednesday (19th March) and they again had it all day. When I returned in the afternoon, I was told they had replaced a spark plug but they didn't think that would fix it. The service manager told me that they suspected one of a multitude of causes, the worst of which could be a cracked inlet manifold. Total cost for this worst case: £1500!

Now, as they couldn't be certain of the cause they needed to do proper diagnostics. As this is apparently two hours work, they applied to Hyundai for a warranty work order. Hyundai thought about it overnight, then refused as the car was now out of warranty. The dealer called me on Thursday 20th March and passed on this information, along with the escalation guidelines for these sorts of cases. Apparently I needed to appeal for "goodwill" to Hyundai. I wasn't encouraged by his parting words: "Hyundai don't actually do goodwill - they see the 5 year warranty as a favour to customers!"

I called customer services and explained the situation, getting a case number etc. The car has a full main dealer service history and was bought new from a Hyundai main dealer, the problem occurred and was reported within warranty period etc.

Hyundai apparently considered the issue over easter and yesterday (25th March) came to the same conclusion as before: no good will would be forthcoming. On the phone their case officer explained their case as follows:

1. The problem was reported outside of warranty. Regardless of the fact that their main dealer faffed around for several days before deciding something much more serious was wrong, they could not be held to account for that.

2. No diagnostics had been performed, so they could not commit to a problem that was unknown. I would have to pay for the diagnostics (£185 or so) and then they would consider the issue again....maybe. They would not to commit to any further action or any reimbursement of these diagnostics costs, regardless of the issue.

3. Having faffed around already, my faith in the dealer actually finding and resolving the problem has lessened considerably!

I've asked for this opinion in writing, which should arrive by the end of the week. I'm incensed at Hyundai - for 5 years I've paid over the odds for servicing in an attempt to avoid this kind of issue should it arrive. This seems like extreme bad faith on their part. I'm also not sure where I stand legally, given that the dealer faffed around before reporting the problem to Hyundai!

Has anyone else had any similar issues with other manufacturers or any advice on this one?

Many thanks in advance!

This five year warranty is a gimmick and a waste of time. All decisions are made at arms length by Hyundai UK and they take no account of dealer`s influence. All work has to be paid up front and Hyundai then decide whether to reimburse or not. Decisions are made in an arbitary fashion as to whether the failure of the part is due to fair wear and tear or a material defect. Mileage , age or care in use has no bearing on this as they simply make up the rules as they go along. Once you have parted with your money try getting it back ! If the repair is not completed for any reason by the time the warranty runs out you could be faced with a massive bill.

Verdict;-Not worth the paper it is written on

Please take a look at buythishere .com : LK03EGF

It will give you an idea of the type of people that you are dealing with at Hyundai UK.

LK03EGF was very badly damaged in a car accident, the After Sales Manager was over the drink drive limit and pleaded GUILTY.

The car was then rebuilt with costs of rebuilding being put to other cars in the accounts, LK03EGF was then auctioned through a trader to hide its history.

Two senior directors know about this but seem to be unwilling to assist in helping with this complaint.

By

Colin Foxley

I have paperwork to back up all the claims that I have made.

Please take a look at buythishere .com : LK03EGF

 

It will give you an idea of the type of people that you are dealing with at Hyundai UK.

 

LK03EGF was very badly damaged in a car accident, the After Sales Manager was over the drink drive limit and pleaded GUILTY.

The car was then rebuilt with costs of rebuilding being put to other cars in the accounts, LK03EGF was then auctioned through a trader to hide its history.

 

Two senior directors know about this but seem to be unwilling to assist in helping with this complaint.

 

 

By

 

Colin Foxley

 

 

I have paperwork to back up all the claims that I have made.

Hi everybody,

I'm about to spend £7,000 of my wife's money on a 2013 Hyundai i30 for her and whenever I phone the various car dealers they (vast majority) claim that the car I am inquiring about is still under the 5 year Hyundai guarantee. When I question the validity of this 'deal' regarding the strict criteria that have to be followed in order for the 5 year deal to be enforceable (I believe it's things like genuine Hyundai parts to be used for the services, etc) and do they offer a warranty, they say that they don't because of the Hyundai 5 year deal.

Any thoughts, please?