Metal fatigue

I have a comprehensive 'platinum' warranty on my MG-ZT-T that I use to tow our caravan. Prior to leaving for a 5-week trip to France I had a pre-trip check carried out by my specialist MG Rover repairer. The check revealed a broken rear spring: a common occurrence, apparently.

The repairer recommended as 'good practice' to replace both springs as, historically, the other one usually fails shortly afterwards. The prospect of this happening in France led me to authorise replacement of both and claimed accordingly. The Warranty people are now only prepared to pay for one spring although I have explained the extenuating circumstances. They, of course, will now benefit from no further claim, unless I have the old spring put back on and wait for it to fail. What do you suggest?

Asked on 29 August 2011 by SF, Barton-under-Needwood,

Answered by Honest John

That is standard. Warranties do not pay to replace parts that have not failed even though I agree it is 'best practice' to replace both springs. But plain daft to take a new spring off and put an old one back on.

Tags: warranties coil springs

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