Dealer unable to provide refund due to accounting!?

[beige]

Before my Annual Service in August I noticed the AC was making a hissing noise and wasn't working properly.

I reported this to the dealer and they said the pressure was low. They recommended the AC refrigerant be refilled at a cost of £80 (paid by Credit Card).

 

Three months later and the AC began hissing and stopped working again. After booking the car in again the dealership has found a leak and stated the repair would be covered under warranty.

 

I questioned why this was not detected in august and as this was a warranty issue would the initial recharge cost be refunded.

The dealership conceded but have declined to provide a refund back to my card and have instead stated they would only be able to offer a discount for the amount of £80 off of my next service.

They stated this was due to their accounts being closed off at the end of each month and being unable to go back and refund the initial charge.

 

This seems like a bit of an odd excuse to me.

[dx100uk]

simple contact your card provider

do a section 75 reclaim

 

dx

 

[BankFodder]

Less than £100?

[dx100uk]

some do chargebacks on a cc for sums less £100  ask can't hurt

dx

[beige]

 

2 minutes ago, BankFodder said:

Less than £100?

 

yeah it was £80 so section 75.
What evidence would be needed for a chargeback?

[dx100uk]

same

 

[beige]

Thank you, I'll give my CC company a call during their office hours.

 

Out of interest is there likely any legitimacy to their argument or are they just being difficult?

[CraigMcK]

 I’m not commenting on the money. But as it’s a refrigerant they should test the system in the first place to ensure it can maintain a vacuum. It sounds like that may just have refilled it without testing first. 

[beige]

15 hours ago, CraigMcK said:

 I’m not commenting on the money. But as it’s a refrigerant they should test the system in the first place to ensure it can maintain a vacuum. It sounds like that may just have refilled it without testing first. 

 

It looks like the vacuum/ evac is more to remove the old refrigerant than test the system.
On some of the motoring forums they suggest requesting a pressure test with Nitrogen.

[CraigMcK]

From the GOV website on car aircon

 

Check for leaks

You’re legally required to prevent F gases leaking from mobile air conditioners, so you should get your technician to regularly service it and check for leaks.

If you’re a technician that services a mobile conditioner, you share responsibility for stopping leaks with the owner of the vehicle.

[beige]

10 hours ago, CraigMcK said:

From the GOV website on car aircon

 

Check for leaks

You’re legally required to prevent F gases leaking from mobile air conditioners, so you should get your technician to regularly service it and check for leaks.

If you’re a technician that services a mobile conditioner, you share responsibility for stopping leaks with the owner of the vehicle.

 

It's a bit worrying with these harmful gasses that possible leaks aren't investigated properly. All too easy to bill the customer for a recharge and wait to see if it happens again.