Renault Twingo - Arnold Clarke will not do body warranty inspection

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Thu 15 Oct 2020 18:08
Renault Twingo - Arnold Clarke will not do body warranty inspection - glidermania

Bought our Renault Twingo Dynamique S brand new via my son who worked as a salesman at AC Renault. It's a MY 2016 but registered late 2015. Due to retirement and latterly the 'lockdown' it has only done 792 miles since its last annual service in November 2019. Total mileage is now 12807 so by the time the service is due it will have about another 30 miles on it excluding the trip to the dealer about 8 miles.

Today, I phoned the local AC and asked what service options are they offering as lots of people will not have done many miles this year, body warranty inspection and MOT?

Lady on reception just said annual service is time based or mileage whichever comes first. I acknowledged that and said this year is exceptional circumstances and I wondered if they'd do an inclusive 'winter check' type inspection? Nope! Annual service only.

OK, how much to just do the body \ paintwork annual inspection and the MOT? I dont expect them to do the inspection for free although that would be nice!

Nope! Service manager says car's out of warranty. Paintwork \ body work inspection is only done as part of the annual service, MOT 55 quid.

I said it doesnt say anything in my owners handbook that the paintwork inspection can only be done at service time and it's only the mechanical warranty that has expired. In fact, the OHB says to have the paintwork inspected 'regularly.'

Nope, annual service only!

OK, so how much is the annual service, MOT and I want to watch to ensure what Im paying for is carried out with consumables actually replaced? Service and MOT £175, you can watch the MOT but not watch the service.

And how much for just an oil change? £110!

Nah, Im not up for that. Receptionist say I can pay for a service at another dealer, bring proof of the service being done and provided all Renault service items have been carried out, they would do the paintwork \ body warranty inspection for free! Erm!

Edited by glidermania on 15/10/2020 at 18:09

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Fri 16 Oct 2020 10:58
Renault Twingo - Arnold Clarke will not do body warranty inspection - glidermania

An update on this. Phoned the AC dealership where my lad used to work which is the next nearest. Explained the situation the same as above. They've no problem doing the body \ paintwork warranty inspection free of charge without a service.

Booked it in plus the MOT. Full price MOT but Im ok with that in the circumstances.

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Fri 16 Oct 2020 15:18
Renault Twingo - Arnold Clarke will not do body warranty inspection - SLO76

An update on this. Phoned the AC dealership where my lad used to work which is the next nearest. Explained the situation the same as above. They've no problem doing the body \ paintwork warranty inspection free of charge without a service.

Booked it in plus the MOT. Full price MOT but Im ok with that in the circumstances.

All down to the person in charge of the service dept and/or the dealership. I find much variation in service quality between AC branches. You know where to take your car for its next service though. But for the sake of £100 or so every year I’d abide by the manufacturers service schedule and just have the thing serviced unless you are fit for giving it a good regular check over yourself. A mechanic May spot looming failures before they happen during a service while an MOT focussed on a set list of safety related components rather than the mechanics of the car.
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Fri 16 Oct 2020 11:03
Renault Twingo - Arnold Clarke will not do body warranty inspection - FoxyJukebox

So--the car is out of warranty with a vague agreement to cover paintwork ( from what?)?

I would try and find another independent garage that would be prepared to do a short service ( oil change essential) plus an MOT. Yes-ask the guys to do a general paintwork check ,the latter being a five minute job. The chances are it's fine and even if it wasn't -I bet it would take a lot of persuading to get it dealt with by selling dealer.

Quite frankly-It's not so much about the money is it , it seems as though you need properly customer focussed service?

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Fri 16 Oct 2020 11:08
Renault Twingo - Arnold Clarke will not do body warranty inspection - mcb100
Strange not to offer to do any form of health check. Aftersales managers are usually keen to get cars into workshops for a complimentary check as it gives them the opportunity to identify tyres, discs, pads, etc.
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