HELPDESK: MICHAEL McALEERanswers all your motoring queries.
From C MacE: Toyota has refused to fix my headlights, which now resemble candles. There’s a known fault with the headlights in certain years of the Avensis and it sounds like it is a lotto whether Toyota will pay to fix them or not. My application has just been rejected.
It’s basically a design or manufacturing flaw so I think it’s a pretty poor show that they won’t replace them and now want to charge me €720 for the pleasure of having working headlights on a five-year-old car.
I already complained to Toyota last year. The company was very apologetic, but things don’t seem to have changed. I got a quote from another Toyota dealer today that is €100 less than my own Toyota dealer gave me. They use the same parts and, I presume, similar workmanship, so I’m not sure how they’d explain the difference.
I also know someone with a car a year older than mine (although this was a year ago) but with much higher mileage, who had his lights replaced for free.
I’d love to hear how they explain the decision process concerning who gets what. I wasn’t even offered a reduced price.
First off, Toyota accepts there have been problems with the headlights on some Avensis models from 2003 up to September 2004. A statement sent to us said: “There is a distortion on the bulb holder in the headlamp on some vehicles. We have replaced a number of headlights on vehicles inside and outside warranty. Not all vehicles were affected. It depended on the usage of the headlamps.”
We contacted Toyota again about this rather strange comment about “usage”. Surely they don’t mean for Avensis owners to drive only during the day? They stand over the comments, however. Toyota Ireland said: “We most certainly understand the disappointment this reader felt when the problem arose, however Toyota provides an extensive warranty on our vehicles for three years or 100,000km, whichever occurs first. In addition, Toyota Ireland dealers can give their customers a Toyota Dealer Cover warranty on used vehicles for up to a maximum period of two years outside of the manufacturer’s warranty.
“The warranty on this vehicle commenced in 2004 and expired in 2007. Although we are often prepared to review cases with the Toyota dealers, particularly where the vehicle has been serviced with their Toyota dealer after this term of warranty has expired, we regret that we were unable to assist on this occasion.”
In terms of the price difference between dealers, it yet again illustrates the point that, even within official networks, it is important to shop around.
From Eugene Hickland, Co Galway: I own a 2005 Renault Mégane hatchback; a fine car which has, in general, had no problems over the last two years. Just recently, the window mechanism on the driver’s door did not work – either to bring the window down or up.
I brought the car to three garages (one a main dealer) who have came to the same conclusion – that the window motor or regulator needs to be replaced.
Fair enough, I thought, car parts and moving mechanical parts do wear out and need to be replaced. Until I was quoted various sums for parts from €260 plus VAT and then labour, bringing the possible bill to figures between €400 and €500.
Each of the three garages (all SIMI members) told me that this is a known problem with these mechanisms on certain Renault Méganes. If it is a known problem, why should us motorists pay for Renault to replace defective parts? Does Renault recognise this apparent generic fault? Is i tdoing anything about this problem?
Renault has acknowledged a problem with the window mechanism on certain Méganes from 2004/2005, and extended the manufacturer’s warranty by two years on these parts when the problem became apparent.
Under this warranty the parts are replaced free of charge, but only through official Renault dealers. If the problem arises outside the extended warranty, Renault is offering a goodwill system – again available only through its dealers – where they will pay up to 50 per cent of the overall costs. Renault Ireland has advised that you return to your Renault dealer and seek to have them replaced under the warranty scheme.