Hi all,

since I have had the car (3 months) my clutch vibrates at low revs and espically when slowing down. This seems to be common? (2002 model)

Anyho as I still have 3 months warranty I have looked into getting a clutch replacement as the parts are free. Below is the quotation for labour:

Hello Mr Oliver,

Clive has asked me to look into the possible clutch fault with your Honda (see email below).

As with any repairs conducted under the used vehicle warranty the insurance company will not cover any costs for investigation/diagnosis, in the case of a clutch fault an inspection/investigation would involve the removal of the gearbox to gain access to the clutch assembly.

The labour charge to remove/install gearbox £441.00 inc.

Having spoken to a Honda workshop I am able to confirm that no specialist equipment is required & therefore our workshops will be able to undertake this work.

I would suggest that the vehicle be booked in for two days & that we provide a courtesy car for the duration of the booking.

Please contact me so that a suitable appointment can be arranged,

Best regards,

Daniel Price
After Sales Consultant

What do you reckon? too much espically as I made not even need the new clutch..

 

Seems like a bargain to me. If the clutch goes and you're outside warranty it'll cost £800 + so £441 is near enough half price - enough to get a lightweight flywheel and swap that at the same time.

 

So that’s £400 to fix the problems with the clutch or £400 to check if it needs work?

 

If the car is still within the 3 months of purchasing you can tell them to take the car back. By law every dealership has to provide you 3 months warrenty and according to trading standards you can return the car if there is anything wrong with it which they will not put right.

If you tell them to refund the car they will do all they can to make you keep it including the correction of this problem for free.

I know this because i had a similar experience myself.

Call trading standards and ask their advice, make a decision as to what you want to achieve and stick to it. A bit of the unhappy customer pressure goes a long way when they could possibly lose out in the long run.

 

IIRC I paid around £400 in labour costs to get my clutch replaced last year.

It isn't an easy job.

 

But as a clutch is a consumable then it's not necessarily covered.
Read the small print first.

 

Possibly true, read small print and call trading standards. Might take a little bit of work but worth it if the outcome is positive

 

I am pretty sure that it is not covered.. Ok so £400 doesn't seem too bad.

 

What happens if they remove the gearbox and find no fault? If it's just a buzz, does that constitute a fault?

I had a clutch changed on a crappy old Vectra under warranty. The clutch was covered, but the warranty company decided that a new clutch added to the value of the car, and the amount they decided it added to the value of the car was the cost of the clutch. So they didn't have to pay anything.

I ignored the warranty and just threatened the garage I bought it from until they paid. Warranties: complete waste of time.

 

£400 isn't bad. I had a new clutch in mine and the labour was around £400 from an indy!