1. Cars home
  2. Motoring Rules & Regulations

Ask an expert

CBDoole
By CBDoole | AA Member | 2 Posts | 2 December 2015 at 1:55pm

Hi,
I have a four year old holden barina spark. I was concerned a few months ago about the drivers seatbelt and went into the service department of the dealership to see someone. I spoke to a mechanic who looked at the seatbelt and advised me that it was normal wear and tear. I thought nothing more of it until last week when I failed my warrant on it. I took it back to the dealership service department and was advised that it would cost $370 and that it was now out of it's extended warranty so I would have to foot the bill. I let them know that I inquired about it months ago and they appologised and said it was bad advice. The fraying was also way down into the shaft of the car (not just where the driver sits), they took photos and advised that there was nothing causing the fraying. They have changed the seatbelt at my cost and have advised that they will try for a warranty claim, but "don't like their chances". In addition they say it will take at least a month. Do I have any recourse?

Anon
By Cade | AA Expert | 3937 Posts | 3 December 2015 at 9:00am

Hi there,
If the car is out of warranty, then it would be as a "good will" if the dealer can help out,
as advised from the manufacture.
It sounds like they paid for the belt and you the labour?. If they can make a successful claim, then I would imagine they would help with the cost of the replacement also.

CBDoole
By CBDoole | AA Member | 2 Posts | 3 December 2015 at 12:35pm

Hi, nope my bill says that I paid for both. But what about the fact that I went in earlier and asked about it and was told it was normal wear and tear? I could possibly have been covered by the warranty if it had been addressed then?

Anon
By Cade | AA Expert | 3937 Posts | 3 December 2015 at 1:18pm

If you mentioned that there was a problem with the seatbelt while your car was still under warranty then I would expect the dealer to cover the fault under warranty. Even if the car was only just out of the warranty period a month or two, I would still expect the manufacturer to cover as a good will.
The manufacturer would be pretty unreasonable not to cover an issue like this.
I don't know of anything that could force them to cover it, but it would be something I would certainly expect to happen.