I've only had my 04 Octavia for just over a week, but already there's a vibration from the engine at low revs and the clutch has started slipping.

I bought it from a main dealer in England and it was given with the 12 month or 12000 miles warranty. There was warranty documentation provided at the sale for a third party company (might have been Crystal, but can't remember).

I phoned my local dealer to book the car in and she firstly told me that they mightn't have an account with the warranty company (again I didn't know the name) and even if they did, diagnosis time wasn't included and I'd have to pay for it.

Now, I'm within the 30 day money back guarantee, but have done 100 or 200 miles over the 1000 miles limit. But I intend to phone the dealer where I bought it tomorrow to say either pay the diagnosis time, or take the car back.

Am I about to start fighting a lost cause?

Do they really not have to pay for time spent diagnosing?

I can't believe this is how a main dealer warranty works, I've bought used VWs before and the warranty was with the manufacturer, not a third party.

Honest John in the Daily Telegraph always says garages have to stand over a car for 6 months, but surely the customer shouldn't have to pay for diagnosis.

Sorry for the long post, I'm just a tad baffled!

It's common with third party warranties in that they will not pay for diagnostics and will put a cap on the labour rate which they will pay. Clutch problems, even on new cars usually require a prior authorisation to carry out the work or a the dealer runs a very real risk of not getting paid. The problem with clutches is that their life depends very much on the way in which the car is driven and you can't tell what caused the failure without removing the gearbox. You'll be lucky to get a clutch claim paid for under a third party warranty, unless it was incidental in another component failing, such as an oil seal or dual mass flywheel (if covered).

Your best bet is to return it to the selling dealer, where they will have an obligation under the Sales of Goods Act. Unfortunately you have made it dificult for yourself in not buying the car locally. The selling dealer is obligated to fix the car, but is not responsible for costs incurred in getting the car to them.

If you are lucky, they may make it easier for you by paying your local dealer to sort it out.

Yip i agree i have worked in the motor trade for numerous years. The warrenty will generaly only cover "major mechanical working parts" so say a clutch or wheel bearing goes most third party warranty companies will not cover it . BUT you once you go down the route of telling them that you wish to return the car if they refuse to cover it i would imagine they will cover it. Bear in mind if it went to court the judge will always side with the customer , so motor companies generally surcome before this point!

I recently purchased a zafira for my missus 05 model from a renault dealer over 60 miles away it has been in and out for electrical faults and others, i think as they know i had previous experience in the motor trade they havent questioned it they fix it pick it up drop it back , i even requested a letter from them that if this continues that they will replace it with something of equal standard or better, or refund the money paid but until that point and for the next twelve months they will cover the car for any issue not related to wear and tear!

Hop this helps!

Cheers folks.

The good news is that although my local dealer doesn't have an account with the same third party warranty, the original selling dealer said to book it in anyway and they'd pay for it!

I also reckons it means they'll cover things like engine mounts whereas the after Market warranty wouldn't have.

Fingers crossed it all works out, car going in for diagnosis next Friday.