As far as motor cars are concerned, a new car warranty, provided by the manufacturer, is limited to the time or kilometers noted in the owners manual. Holden, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Volkswagen and others still retain 3-year warranties whereas, for example, those same companies have a better warranty in the USA, primarily with the power train warranty covering the engine, gearbox, axles, and differentials. Australian Consumer Law protects you against unscrupulous dealers and manufacturers
Brand Vehicle Warranty Power Train Warranty
Honda 3 Years 5 Years
Toyota 3 years 5 Years
Honda 3 Years 5 Years
Nissan 3 Years 5 Years
Mazda 3 Years 5 Years
Subaru 3 Years 5 Years
Ford 3 Years 5 Years
Mitsubishi 5 Years 10 Years
General Motors 3 Years 5 Years
Chrysler Jeep Dodge 3 Years 5 Years
Fiat 4 Years 4 Years
Alfa Romeo 4 Years 4 Years
Volkswagen 3 Years 10 Years
Others here in Australia including Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Renault, Isuzu Ute have a 5 year warranty whilst Kia has Australia’s best new car warranty with 7 years.
However, warranties aren’t just as the manufacturer dictate. I recently gave Jeep a tick for providing warranty on a Grand Cherokee that was a few days short of 5 years from the date of sale. Another matter on the same vehicle brought to my attention by the service advisor was initially a different story. A goodwill claim was submitted, but Jeep would only approve the parts under warranty with me as the owner paying up to $600 in labor. (Read my previous submission Fiat Chrysler gets the Tick this time – Car Business)
I contacted the Jeep service representative and suggested that he refer to the Australian Consumer Law (implemented on January 1st, 2011). ACL laws state that manufacturers must provide warranty irrespective of time or distance traveled if it’s fair and reasonable from general consumer or industry expectations. My claim was a leaking air conditioning condenser and my question to Jeep was whether it was reasonable for a condenser to fail at 5 years and 125,000 kilometers. (An interesting point was that I was the second owner and that the previous owner had done all the services himself through his own workshop)
Subsequently, the claim was approved completely. The Jeep dealer (Northstar Jeep) did the repair and I didn’t pay at all.
The moral of this story is that you shouldn’t just accept your dealer’s response that the car is out of warranty. If you sincerely believe that the fault shouldn’t have occurred, and your vehicle was sold new post-January 1st 2011, suggest to your dealer that Australian Consumer Law may protect you.
What’s fair and reasonable? If you feel that your dealer/manufacturer isn’t being fair or realistic get in touch with me. I’ll discuss your specific situation with you and then represent you in talks with your dealer and manufacturer. And yes, I do charge a fee, but it’s only on a no win no fee basis. So rather than you paying $600 as in my case, I’ll do the hard work on that basis
Car Business is involved in the following:
- New Car Brokerage
- Quality Used Cars
- Vehicle Finance and Insurance
- Industry Advocate for fairness in new car purchase
- Genuine Spare Parts for Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Isuzu Ute & Volkswagen
- Vehicle Protection Products such as paint and Interior protection, Electronic Rustproofing and Window Tint
- Local Area Marketing for Google My Business
- Training and Development for sales people, sales managers as well as service and parts managers.
What’s Car Business all about?
Car Business is a multi-dimensional automotive company that aims to help you to buy your new car for a better price than you can do on your own. Based on the Redcliffe Peninsula about 15 minutes from Brisbane Airport and 30 minutes from the Brisbane CBD, Car Business is located in an area that allows us to pick and choose from Brisbane’s finest new cars for sale.
The ‘go to’ Brisbane car buying agents, Car Business, is so much better than a car broker – first and foremost, Car Business is an experienced Car Buyer’s Advocacy service. Our experienced staff will stand alongside you and act on your behalf to help you buy your new car at a better price than you can directly through new car dealers.
My goal with Car Business is to provide timely and informative articles on everything to do with cars – used car purchase, new car sales, car service, car finance, car insurance, aftermarket car protection products.
Above anything else, Car Business is a company that provides current automotive advice for car owners who do not have access to knowledgeable auto industry friends. To those of you without someone to talk to, I am your expert – the car guy.
I have been in the automotive industry since 1978 – covering all aspects that consumers need advice. I’ve been called many things in my time – The Car Professor, The Car Doctor, and recently the Car Guy, but the bottom line is that I know a lot about this industry. Whenever someone needs some advice – they call me.
In general terms my car advice is free – it is just something I like to do, and my goal is to give back to the community that has treated me so well.
Good quality, Guaranteed Used Cars
I have access to good quality vehicles – you can see my current stock by clicking through to http://www.carsales.cars my own website for the cars that I have in stock. I am also able to search out that particular car that you are finding difficult to find. I have got a great dealer community that I have dealt with for many years, and these cars do not even hit the websites. I specialize in South East Queensland but in some cases, can look after interstate customers
Other areas that I specialize in are relatively widespread.
Genuine Spare Parts, Merchandise, and Other Cool Stuff
www.genuinespares.com.au is an online spare parts business specializing in Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Isuzu Ute and Volkswagen. So if you are looking for anything from crash parts, electrical components, wheels, t-shirts or anything else, let me assist you with that search. You can rely on genuine spares to procure parts at better than trade price and certainly better than you can buy in Australia. My prices are reduced by about 30% on what you would expect to pay here in Australia
Car Business Protects Your Car
Car Business is a local agent for Williams Paint and Interior Protection, AutoGard and CleanGard, SunX window tinting.
Don’t get ripped off by car dealers wanting to make a huge profit – our window tinting prices start from $175 up to $450 for cars that dealers want to charge $750 for.
Car Finance and Car Insurance
My finance and insurance franchise, 1800Approved Finance, will help you get finance for your car at rates much lower than a dealer will offer. For a homeowner, we are talking from 4.99%. Your bank will not even offer you that.
It’s My Opinion – Cars, Auto Industry
If you are interested in reading quality information about new car releases, forthcoming models and just about anything else to do with the car business, click over to my blog – https://carbusiness.com.au/wpcbadmn//blog/
You will find various and wide-ranging comment about the car industry and car people. I do not hold back on my comments – like it or not; my opinions are just that – opinions.
In closing, if you want to connect with me here’s how
Car Business and Bob Aldons Contact Info
Phone: International +61 418 748 498
Local 0418 748 498
Email: in**@ca*********.au
Visit: 226 Anzac Avenue
Kippa-Ring Q 4021
In closing, my passion is cars, car buyers, car dealers, but just about anything to do with cars. However, you need to do me one favour….
Please drive carefully
Warm regards
Bob Aldons
#carbusiness #thecarguy #bobaldons #carbrokers #carbuyersadvocate #discountnewcars #carbuyingservice #bestcarprice #racq #nrma #racv #caradvice #mistakesthatcarbuyersmake
2 thoughts on “Australian Consumer Law – It’s Up to You”
Hi Bob, spoke to you this afternoon.
Sorry to learn of your mum’s illness.
My problem is with John McGrath Kia Canberra customer service.
We own a 2020 Cerato which has a rattle behind the dashboard glove box since purchase.
We brought this to the dealer at first scheduled service and they didn’t fix it.
We waited for the second service and tried again .
Still no service carried out to fix it.
Yesterday was the 60,000 km service when the mechanic # 719765, test drove it for 10km. and claimed “unable to replicate customer concern of rattle.”
Plus “ team leader took 10km and stated “ no manufacture faults present.”
We came to pick up car and pay for service and the customer service officer said we can remove dash for $1000 labour if we don’t find any fault.
Next the service manager came out and told us that his Ford
“Ranger has always rattled and all cars do.”
We said we would contain to Kia Australia.
I did but was told that the dealer is privately owed and they are the only people to talk to and we should call them.
Any suggestions Bob,
Hi Bob, spoke to you this afternoon.
Sorry to learn of your mum’s illness.
My problem is with John McGrath Kia Canberra customer service.
We own a 2020 Cerato which has a rattle behind the dashboard glove box since purchase.
We brought this to the dealer at first scheduled service and they didn’t fix it.
We waited for the second service and tried again .
Still no service carried out to fix it.
Yesterday was the 60,000 km service when the mechanic # 719765, test drove it for 10km. and claimed “unable to replicate customer concern of rattle.”
Plus “ team leader took 10km and stated “ no manufacture faults present.”
We came to pick up car and pay for service and the customer service officer said we can remove dash for $1000 labour if we don’t find any fault.
Next the service manager came out and told us that his Ford
“Ranger has always rattled and all cars do.”
We said we would contain to Kia Australia.
I did but was told that the dealer is privately owed and they are the only people to talk to and we should call them.
Any suggestions on how to get Kia to fix this defect Bob? Please call .
Joe and Karen Brock