Fiesta ST 2013 DMF problems

[Sir Brixalot]

My dad noticed his clutch slipping last Friday, took it in to his garage on Saturday. It needs a new clutch and DMF. There are aparantly no suitable DMFs in the whole of the UK, unbelievably he'll have to wait until 17th November for a replacement. Meanwhile as he's disabled he's going to have a hire car at his own cost.

My dad bought it a year old from the main dealer and had had it for a year. Does anyone know whether the main dealer should pick up some of the costs because of the dmf failure or the lack of replacement parts for a 2 year old car?

[Smcknighty]

Is it not under warranty still?

[New Kentish Campers]

If its always been serviced by a F.ord dealer then I'd certainly try the dealer first for a goodwill payment, due to its age or then, go direct to FoMoCo's customer services and tell them that youve tried to use their dealer network and look what you've got for the time and money, plus a hire car cost involved, etc. Might be worth a punt anyway

[Smcknighty]

The std warranty seems to be 3yr. 60k so if it's in warranty it's reasonable to push for a courtesy car?

[Sir Brixalot]

Yes it's 2 years old and done 40k. My Dad is in his mid seventies and went to the garage he's used all his life. I had advised him to go to the main dealer as soon as the clutch started slipping, because of possible warranty cover and especially as his local garage isn't any cheaper but unfortunately he didn't take my advice. He's on to the main dealer now but everything is much more complicated than it would have been. I still can't believe that there wasn't a single DMF in the UK on a 2 year old ford when we can get most parts still for 25 plus year old vans. He's finding it very stressful and I feel sorry for him.

[New Kentish Campers]

Why cant the F.ord dealer order one on a VOR basis? [vehicle off road] Thats the whole idea when somethings to be done fast. Chances are that the dealer wont like doing that as the ford discount is much reduced but that's not your problem as they'd be charging retail money anyway!

I think I'd contact their customer services dept and ask that very question. I wouldn't mind betting that they'd have one in the dealership inside 24 hours,[unless its on back order to Ford themselves from their suppliers in which case there really isn't much they can do] They can also do a european dealer search too, if you moan loud enough; their computers can see if a dealer holds one on his books.

[REGGAJ]

I would say that it's a wear and tear item and therefore won't be covered under warranty, however the dealer might give your dad something towards the cost as a goodwill gesture. Good luck..

[Smcknighty]

It's a grey area - what's a reasonable life span of a clutch and dmf. 40k is not reasonable in my opinion. And the mileage since you bought it comes into account as well for consumer rights. A 1 year old car when purchased should be reliable for a reasonable period of time and use. If it was me I'd stick to my guns that there's no possibility your paying for it and that it should either be done under warranty or under good will from the garage as the seller. Then say you will be expecting your costs to be covered. There is significant onus on the garage here as seller and warranty agent. I'd expect that they will realise this. Write everything down, be firm but non aggressive and see what happens. If you have to pay to get the car back state your paying under duress and try small claims.

[busbuddy]

Why cant the F.ord dealer order one on a VOR basis? [vehicle off road] Thats the whole idea when somethings to be done fast.

a lot of manufacturers dont do stocks of spares for newer cars, one of my customers had his new golf written off because vw could not give the insurance company a delivery date for 2 doors...insurance company decided not to keep supplying the hire car and just paid out on the car




but having said that, i thought the fiesta st had the focus clutch and flywheel set