Why has Honda refused our warranty claim?

My brother owns a Honda Jazz bought new in March 2023. It has had three services over its 7700 mile life. Last serviced by Chiswick Honda Spring 2025. First long journey to Cornwall over Christmas the sump plug fell out and although pulled off the dual carriageway in less than 1 mile after a warning light, the engine is wrecked. Chiswick Honda are refusing the warranty claim, they were the last people to touch the car and it is still less than three years old. My brother cannot afford £20,000 on a new engine nor should he have to, but they are blaming him somehow for the sump plugged falling out. He is not a car guy and does not understand why they can possibly not help. What’s your view?

Asked on 9 January 2026 by Ashley Ward

Answered by David Ross
Unless the underneath of the vehicle suffered damage, the sump plug would not fall out of the sump unless it was incorrectly torqued up during the service or the plug itself was damaged on installation, and even then this would be an unlikely scenario. It is likely that the dealer is refusing the warranty claim on the basis that the chances of the issue being due to a component failure are very slim, if not impossible. If the dealer is unwilling to change their minds then we would suggest making a complaint to Honda UK, explaining the situation and the response you have received from the dealership. A closer examination of the vehicle may provide clues to the cause - it is possible that the sump plug was cross-threaded when installed, but unfortunately it may well be a case of his word against theirs.
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