Looking for advice on dealing with car dealership over "repairs"

**Bassmatt** · 31st August 2012, 18:04

I'll try to keep this as short as possible without leaving any relevant info out.
In Feb 2010 I leased a Mazda BT50 ute. Around April of this year the whole steering column developed a very violent shake when going around some corners. And I mean really violent and noisy shaking so much so that it is difficult to hold onto.
They strange thing is there are corners where it does it alot but it doesn't do it all the time its a bit random.
Mazda have "fixed" it on two occasions but not actually fixed the problem.
I have taken it in again and they have had it in the workshop for a week and cannot find what is the problem. They have had specialist Mazda techs have a look and done the obvious things like wheel alignment. Today they have told me that they have bascally taken the whole steering and related things apart and put them back together and can't find the problem. Thay have mounted go pros in the wheel arches and driven it - nothing.
The next thing they want to do is check the "cab mounts" which they say is a major job.
This is where my concern starts - who is going to pay for this?
The dealer states that Mazda will only pay if something is worn prematurely or is faulty not if it has been damaged.
The ute has been treated well and never been in an accident or anything like that.
My feeling is that the longer this goes on and the more expensive it becomes then the likelyhood of Mazda paying for the repairs reduces. Also there seems to be a real possibilty that they will never find or fix the problem in which case I am sure I will get stuck with the bill.
My view is that it is clearly a fault in the vehicle and that as it is a $40000+ vehicle just over two years old I shouldn't have to pay anything.

I am at a real loss as to how to approach this from this point on,any advice will be much appreciated.
Apologies for the long non- motorcycle related post.

**zique** · 31st August 2012, 18:34

Question,have you talked to other Mazda BT50 ute owners and found if they have a similar problem with their utes? Mazda might pay for everything if they found a whole lot of Mazda utes shared the same problem.
If it is just yours,well I am sure they'd tried and push the costs onto you.

But then again,I am not very clued up on these kind of things.

**Edbear** · 31st August 2012, 19:00

It may be stating the obvious but has it been in 4WD at the time? Has someone accidentally put it in 4WD and/or locked the diffs?

**FJRider** · 31st August 2012, 19:08

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

My view is that it is clearly a fault in the vehicle and that as it is a $40000+ vehicle just over two years old I shouldn't have to pay anything.

I am at a real loss as to how to approach this from this point on,any advice will be much appreciated.
Apologies for the long non- motorcycle related post.

It must be proved it IS your fault for any damage ... for you to pay.

But ... they must FIND the fault with the vehicle FIRST.

Then if it's NOT the manufacturer's fault ... (ie: Fair wear and tear and/or design fault) ... YOU PAY ...

Simple really.

Remember it is only a mazda ...

**onearmedbandit** · 31st August 2012, 19:12

I'm in the industry, albeit used car sales. If there is a legitimate issue with the vehicle, and it appears that there is as Mazda themselves have gone to a great deal to find it then you will not be responsible for any costs involved in finding and repairing the fault. Have any of the technicians experienced the fault first hand and acknowledged there is an issue?

**BMWST?** · 31st August 2012, 19:29

perhaps try to get a video of this occurence?

**Motu** · 31st August 2012, 19:34

You need to be in the truck with a tech and say this is the problem, otherwise they are just guessing on what they think you are describing. Obviously they can't get it to do what it does for you - show them the problem.

**Edbear** · 31st August 2012, 19:49

Originally Posted by Motu

You need to be in the truck with a tech and say this is the problem, otherwise they are just guessing on what they think you are describing. Obviously they can't get it to do what it does for you - show them the problem.

And what he sez...

**scott411** · 31st August 2012, 20:53

i have had 2x4 2 bt50 utes and they both do it, my first one had 20" wheels and did it at about 95km/h and did it from new, and the one i have now does it under brakes into corners, it has std steel wheels, i got it at 110,000km's

if you find a fix can you put it up,

**JimO** · 31st August 2012, 22:02

ask your question on the TM motoring board as there are a few motor mechanics on there

**AllanB** · 31st August 2012, 22:20

Whats the lease contract state? It will go back to that. Drive the fucker until it falls apart!

**Bassmatt** · 1st September 2012, 07:55

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

. Have any of the technicians experienced the fault first hand and acknowledged there is an issue?

Originally Posted by Motu

You need to be in the truck with a tech and say this is the problem, otherwise they are just guessing on what they think you are describing. Obviously they can't get it to do what it does for you - show them the problem.

The mechanics have driven it and seen what the issue is. They all say it shouldn't be doing it but cant't seem to be able to pin point the problem.

**Bassmatt** · 1st September 2012, 07:58

Originally Posted by scott411

i have had 2x4 2 bt50 utes and they both do it, my first one had 20" wheels and did it at about 95km/h and did it from new, and the one i have now does it under brakes into corners, it has std steel wheels, i got it at 110,000km's

if you find a fix can you put it up,

Intertesting. This is my second bt50. The first one never did it and this one seemed fine until a few months ago. Of course Mazda say they have never heard of it happening before.
Have you had yours looked at or attempted to fix it?