High level brake light replacement query.

[Abbs24]

Hi, new member here 🙂 Little bit of advice needed please.

I am a fairly new driver, and the first driver in my entire family so have never had to deal with car repairs, so I apologise if this all sounds stupid.

I recently noticed my Aygo (71 model), had water inside the high level brake light. Took it to the dealership today to have it looked at, and they confirmed it needs a new brake light, so I am to go back next week for the repair/replacement.

I was told the repair would be done under warranty as I've only had the car for 4 months, which I was quite pleased about. However, the advisor then said there would be a "strip down charge" to consent to, on top of this, costing around £275, and any damage they find I'd be liable to pay for repairs at a further cost. I have never heard of this, so asked what it was and was told its basically the removal of the light and labour costs. I may be wrong here, but would that not be included in the warranty repair? And also, what exactly are they stripping down for a light replacement? (if that makes sense) 

I am yet to pay anything, but just looking for some advice as to whether this sounds normal or not?

Thank you.

[Vandals01]

Sounds really dodgy to me.

 

Water intruding third brake light is a common phenomenon on Toyota Aygo MK2.  It takes nothing more than 30 minutes and a tube of silicone to fix.  Of cause, dealer will never use silicone, as they insist on replace everything.

But still 5 - 30 minutes is all it takes to take the old one out, then replace with a new one.

 

For this, they want to charge a £275 "Strip Down Charge"?  For a car that was supposed to be under warranty?

Demand to see their manager.  If they refuse to honour the repair free of charge, get the newspaper involve.  E.g.  Go to "The Guardian", report this issue and they will make a news article from it.

[Abbs24]

@Vandals01 thank you, thats exactly what I was thinking. It didn't sound right to me at all, and I still can't understand what that extra payment would even be for. 

When I go back, I will make it clear to them that I'm not paying a penny if it is being done under warranty, and will take it further if needs be.

Thanks. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

On 10/4/2024 at 4:38 PM, Abbs24 said:

I recently noticed my Aygo (71 model), had water inside the high level brake light. Took it to the dealership today to have it looked at, and they confirmed it needs a new brake light, so I am to go back next week for the repair/replacement.

How long ago did you buy the car and was it bought from a Toyota dealer, non-Toyota dealer or from elsewhere? 

What warranty covers the car - Toyota warranty, or 3rd party warranty?

[Abbs24]

@FROSTYBALLS 

Hi, I have only had the car 4 months, so not long at all. It is from a main Toyota dealership (my local one is under Steven Eagell) and I took the car back to the same one I purchased from, to have it looked at.

It is still under the Toyota manufacturer's warranty which I believe covers the first 3 years. My car reaches its 3rd year of the warranty in December this year so is still covered at the moment. 

As far as I'm aware, the high level brake light isn't covered under the warranty, but I was assured that the dealership would honour it and replace it as a warranty repair as I haven't had the car very long. 

[Big_D]

Personally, I would fight for a no charge replacement under their used car warranty.

[FROSTYBALLS]

As you've only had the car 4 months, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 may apply regardless of any warranty. See:

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/consumer-rights-act-aKJYx8n5KiSl

This applies to the Dealer you bought the car from.

[Mojo1010]

It's covered under warranty and consumer rights act as others have indicated. Charge for strip down is fraud. Threaten report them to Toyota UK, perhaps do that even after that repaired/replaced with zero charge. So that Toyota knows about this dodgy dealer. 

[Abbs24]

Just a quick update:

Thank you for all of your replies. The light was replaced today free of charge, under the warranty 🙂

[Mojo1010]

Good as it should be, what was the excuse of £270 strip down cost? 

The thing is many people may not ask for advice from others and would need to pay up if they wanted it fix. Some dealers are just like scammers. 

[Abbs24]

@Mojo1010

I have no idea. The service advisor I dealt with last week wasn't present today, so I was handed over to someone else. They said the extra charge was ludicrous and that Toyota would never charge on warranty repairs. So I genuinely have no idea where the advisor got this figure from, but I'm just glad it's all sorted now 🙂