Hey, I'm new here so sorry if this is in the wrong place..

 

The Skoda garage have said the mechatronics has failed and needs replacing. 

 

I have a third party warranty which covers "Electronic control units (ECUs) & computers", which includes "Automatic Gearboxes".

 

Now I have no idea how many electronic units or computers are within an automated gearbox however to me the definition of a mechatronics is a computerised system that controls the mechanism of the gearbox. 

 

The warranty company has advised it's not covered. They have not argued the technical details of a computer, simply just advising "mechatronics" is not a listed component.

 

Are there any mechanics or legal eagles here who could provide a view as to whether  "mechatronics" is indeed a "computer" within the "automated gearbox"??

 

Thanks.

I'd put the question to them of what and wasn't included under "Automatic Gearboxes". The mechatronics is just a combined computer controller and solenoid/actuator unit.

 

A standard automatic gearbox usually has the same thing too.

 

I'd say unless the wording explicitly excludes gearbox control units etc then they should cover it.

 

Do you not have a copy of the full terms of the warranty?

Hi Phil,

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

The section states the following: "Electronic control units (ECUs) & computers The following components are covered: The air conditioning, anti-lock braking system, automatic gearbox, central door locking system, fuel injection/ignition/engine management/alarm/ immobiliser, steering and suspension electronic control units (computers), that were originally fitted to your vehicle when it was first manufactured are covered (upgraded or revised software and firmware, including software and firmware patches and updates, relating directly or indirectly to any components of your vehicle and any retro-fitted ECUs & computers are not covered).".

 

I have attached the full terms also if that's allowed.

warrantyinfo.pdf

Welcome to the forum.

 

Has the person that diagnosed the fault not explained exactly what the MCU is and why the Warranty should cover it as part of the gearbox.

 

Who is the warranty provider?

 

Main Dealer OEM Parts & covered by 2 years parts and labour warranty. 

 

 

 

 

Edited 28 June, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

Thank you. The warranty is from Motoreasy. 

 

Their Exclusion of a Mechatronic Control Unit in that Warranty Policy is an error on the part of them as they are referring to Automatics and missing out Semi Automatics / Automated Manuals & CVT's.

 

That is a warranty that appears to give pretty good cover of all the important parts you want covered,

but a co-ck up with the like of  the DSG Semi Automatic you have in your Mk3 Fabia.

 

Time that you get the Warranty Underwriter to get their technical expert to explain to them they are talking nonsense.

Or you need a technical expert, are you a RAC or AA Member?

Edited 28 June, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

I think that you may have fallen into the trap that many motor dealers set when they either sell you a warranty or include one for free, both of which I would refuse vehemently.

 

How long ago did you buy the vehicle from them?

 

If you are still within the period where the dealer is obligated to repair the fault under the sale of goods act don't get suckered into the old "the warranty company wont accept it", thats precisely why they try to strap you up with one and also so they can be paid if you are a lottery winner in having something that is not excluded by their T&C's.

 

If you have rights then be very firm, its their problem, they have to fix it, you dont want to hear anything about the warranty company.

It was their technical expert who initially suggested it's not covered (which then for rubber stamped by their underwriter). Apparently it's not an 'ECU' and although I made a point of the fact the warranty covers computers within the gearbox he kept repeating the same statement.

 

I have appealed and they essentially came back with the generic statement of its not a listed component. Hence I am here seeking the kind goodwill of you experts to either confirm my view or tell me otherwise. 

 

I am considering taking it to the ombudsman or civil court if this is as black and white as I see it.

Hi JR.

 

Thanks. It's a 3rd party warranty, the car is 7 months sold so just outside the repair by dealer period. As far as I can tell the 2017 model isn't under recall either. 

It is covered by the term they use here, and the ones for ECU's. 

 

 If they are going to Exclude DSG's / DCT / Twin Clutch Transmission MCU because the MCU is not internal to the gearbox they should in the Exclusions.

Edited 28 June, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

Thanks e-roottoot,

 

Glad you agree it's covered by the ECU. I wasn't sure about the Gearbox paragraph you have above as it doesn't specify the component from what I could see (unless referred to by another name?). 

 

Seems like it's going to be a call to a lawyer to seek further advice.

@Skodawheels

?

How many miles has the car done and how many former keepers?

?

Is there any Warranty Work in the car history in the 3 years under the Manufacturers Warranty?

 

You mentioned there is no Recall.

 

VW Group never Recalled the DQ200 DSG ever in Europe.  Not in 2012 with the World Wide Recall which excluded Europe.  There was a Service Campaign in 2014.

Then another in 2017 on DQ200's 2013-2015.

 

Then there are TPI's since 2015.

There are Slipping Clutch Issues, Software Updates,  and then in 2019 another Recall in Australia.

 

There are premature failures that Skoda UK know well and that deserve goodwill from them and VW Group. 

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/439395-the-story-of-the-famous-dq200-clutch-slip/page/9

 

Edited 28 June, 20214 yr by e-Roottoot

Hi,

 

The car is 67K miles, FSH and one previous owner.

 

From the FSH information I have it has never been back for any recall etc. And I have never claimed on the warranty.

 

I had seen goodwill on earlier DQ200 though hadn't found much since 2015, and nothing on the 2017 regd cars. If you feel it's worth a mention to the franchise, that might be another option I need to explore seeing as I will need to consider paying and then reclaiming due to needing the car repaired and the warranty refusal.

 

1 hour ago, Skodawheels said:

automatic gearbox, central door locking system, fuel injection/ignition/engine management/alarm/ immobiliser, steering and suspension electronic control units (computers), that were originally fitted to your vehicle when it was first manufactured are covered

Relevant wording highlighted.

The above also includes "modulator valves, hydraulic gear shift governors, internal valve blocks and servos, and oil pumps".

 

All of these things are contained within the mechatronics unit. And according to VW the mechatronics is a single part and is just swapped out as a complete unit (they don't do repairs to them).

It's connected to the powertrain CAN bus; I think that would not be possible if it were not an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

Just now, Wino said:

It's connected to the powertrain CAN bus; I think that would not be possible if it were not an Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

 

Correct. And as above. The Mechatronics (including the ECU part) is just one part according to VW/Skoda. So if one part fails then the whole unit is replaced (officially). So it should be covered. Since regardless of what has failed inside it, it's still a complete unit classed as an ECU.

3 minutes ago, Phil-E said:

The above also includes "modulator valves, hydraulic gear shift governors, internal valve blocks and servos, and oil pumps".

 

All of these things are contained within the mechatronics unit. And according to VW the mechatronics is a single part and is just swapped out as a complete unit (they don't do repairs to them).

 

Thanks Phil! I don't do cars so I needed someone who does to tell me what I'm talking about! This is great news, seems to double the argument the mechatronics unit is within warranty. Thank you for taking the time to read & respond. 

@Skodawheels

 

http://skoda-auto.com/services/recall-actions

 

There has never been 'Recalls' on Mk3 Fabia. 

There has been Service Campaigns which Skoda Call 'Recall Actions' only they do not Recall Cars from Keepers, the car has to be into a dealership.

 

Then there are TPI's that might or might not get acted on if a car is in at the Dealers, like the Service Campaign on 1.4 TDI's and coolant changes, and waterpump failures, and then poor sods landed with a car out of warranty and then the failure.

A friends DIL not only had the WaterPump failure but the MCU Failure on her Mk3 and the car had to go without being fixed due to the expense.