wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Had you previously got a letter saying your Warranty was valid from Subaru UK ?? Did you send them a copy of the invoice from Subaru Cyprus ??

I got mine from Alliance in March and registered it with IM straight away. I got a letter from Subaru UK confirming the warranty was registered.

Does anyone know if anything something Changed in the last few months ??

As you say this could lead to real problems for Alliance etc.

WRX_SWRT

iTrader: (2)

This is prob going to make me look stupid but who or what is IM andcould someone clarify what to do once you recieve your car as to who you contact if you have to register your car or warranty, and what it is you send them? thanks

DonnieDarko

the labour part of the 1000 miler for me was £67.50+vat

not the end of the world. lack of warranty however would seriously p155 me off!

i also picked up my scooby from motorpoint on 30 september, wonder if i saw you?

billythekid

Maybe I missed something or maybe we are talking about a different topic...

I am a board founder of another forum and all my moderators PM people about deleted threads to explain why, I did not create the thread in question but when I contacted the creator he did not know why either.

The thread I am talking about was created on the 4/10/05 by user "Ben WRX Bug-Eye".

Like I said maybe I missed something?

expatback

Does anyone know if anything something Changed in the last few months ??

By the sound of things someone at IM has realised that the way these cars were being sold by Motorpoint etc was wrong and by registering the cars for warranty they would probably be compounding the problem. I wonder if they'll now revoke those already accepted?

Expat

sti-04!!

IM - International Motors who own Fuji Industries who are Subaru

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

That should be fun for them (Subaru UK)!!

Going back to the original post, does EU law say that a car MUST be supplied by an Authorised dealer ??

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

I thought FUJI Heavy Industries owned Subaru and IM were the UK Importers like Liacco in Malta ????

Dippy Hippy

Hadn't got round to registering with IM as it took a while to get the Cypriot invoice from Alliance, so no I haven't got a previous letter from IM.

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

I pushed Alliance for the invoice - hopefully I wont get something in the post this week.

Steve vRS

Time to get in touch with trading standards I would think. Maybe even a solicitor?

Steve

expatback

Dead right! If these firms are selling their cars claiming they will have a Subaru warranty supported in the UK , then if it is now the fact that they shouldn't even be selling the cars and they can't be registered for warranty here, I reckon those firms have one giant headache! If I had bought one and that happened I'd be taking it back sharpish and grabbing my money back.

gubby

I did see a Crystal Grey Wagon pulling out of the Texaco filling station as I arrived. So if it was you, Hello .

With regard to the warranty, before i ordered the car from Motorpoint I phoned IM Customer Services in Coventry and asked to speak to someone about Warranties.

I told him I was about to buy a Subaru from Motorpoint and asked if it would be a Subaru warranty. He said yes, but would not be a the same as a Subaru UK warranty

He told me the warranty if it was from Malta would not be identical to a UK warranty (i.e no roadside recovery etc,etc) and may differ slightly in other ways but quite reasonably said that without the warranty guide in front of him he couldn't identify what the differences would be.

I asked if the warranty i received was poor could i buy a Warranty from them. He said no.

Whilst he said there may be differences at no time did he indicate that the warranty would be invalid.

Motorpoint quite clearly stated that I would receive a 3 years Manufacturers warranty.

I don't understand this comment about this being against European legislation as Motorpoint sell many cars as new, not just Subaru. So does this mean they are all invalid???

pj748r

I think what this boils down to is Subaru Uk feeling the pinch because of the amount of Parallel imports being brought into the UK from different EU countries.Something similar happened with motor cycles abot 5 years ago(of which me and a friend bought,because they worked out to £2.5k cheaper).If the car is bought from an EU country,it should have the Cross Border warranty of 3years.But for the warranty to stay intact it has to be serviced by a Subaru dealer.
This is just another case of rip-off Britain.If Subaru Uk don't like the amount of imports coming into the UK,drop your prices,its as simple as that!

SCOOBYBALL

this problem has only just come about in the last cpl ov weeks,due to new euro laws regarding parrell imports through non authorised importers ie motorpoint,it will still have warrenty but you need to take your car to the country of origin ie malta.so as for most cars bought from the likes ov motorpoint and virgin YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY UK WARRENTY ON THE VEHICLE.

DonnieDarko

*** OK, HERE WE GO->

I just spoke to aftersales at Motorpoint 01332-347-357

DO NOT send Subaru UK your motorpoint (or any other importers invoice)

Send them a photocopy of your V5 + the original Liaco Maltese sales invoice.
Apparently you have to tell them it was a personal import, and if they ask for your UK invoice, DO NOT DO IT! you don't have to.

My service book + maltese invoice is on its way from nottingham-> motorpoint-> me

so i'll update you all as to what happens.

if my warranty gets turned down motorpoint are in for a claim, as they are expecting me to lie about it being a personal import + shortchanging me out of a few months warranty

Motorpoint-> you'd better cross your fingers!

Aye-> That was me! Hello what did you pick up?
they left 'em empty didn't they? was a bit worried if i'd even make it to that petrol station 20 seconds round the corner!

I too phoned scooby UK to ask about warranties before hand. they said that i shouldn't really notice any difference between a uk & EU warranty. its just malta has to authorise work rather than subaru uk.

billythekid

Already done in my case (not motorpoint BTW but a dealer). They said that they were not going to do a big investigation as there was no documented proof, but if further problems come up they will do all the relevant investigations. Lesson 1, when buying a car get everything in writting!

gubby

I bought a Mica Blue WRX Wagon.

Like you it had a tablespoonful of fuel in it

As far as the warranty goes a Pan European Warranty should be what it says it is and Motorpoint quite clearly stated that once registered, I would be able to take it to any Dealer for warranty work just like a UK supplied car, so as you say if this is not the case then they are in for a compensation claim.

Still lets see what happens. Keep us posted as to how you get on.

DonnieDarko

i bought the second last one they had. they now have two more for £14999 (600 less than we paid)

i will see what happens, but if the warranty gets turned down i may end up forcing them to take it back (with a couple of 1000 miles on it by then!) i'll then buy a uk car hopefully for even less than i paid for mine new, what with the new model coming out

SCOOBYBALL

lookes like we have all s*it it and the sh*t will hit the fan

gubby

The ones for 14999 don't seem to have Air con fitted though according to the spec.

DonnieDarko

oh for small mercies! at least i have climate control!

i'm off to phone trading standards!

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Exactly ! - I cant find anything about this legislation on the net.

Also can someone work this one out for me:

Imagine you bought a car off a Subaru UK dealer and sold it within 6months. The new owner would get the balance of the warranty even though he hadnt bought from an Authorised dealer.

You buy a car off say Motorpoint who bought it off Subaru Malta. The warranty starts when it it was bought from Subaru Malta by motorpoint and technically as 2nd owner you then get the remaining Pan European Warranty.

Can somone explain the difference as from what it appears to say in the letter the warranty is invalid because it was bought from a non authorised dealer ???

Vipa

This is MY UNDERSTANDING of the problem and MY UNDERSTANDING of a conversation I have had with Subaru UK.

Apparently there is EU law/legislation that stipulates how and from where cars are allowed to be sold cross EU borders.

If a car is sold by a dealer directly to an individual in an other member state then all is well. If a car is sold to an UNAUTHORISED INTERMEDIARY (AKA an import agent/broker) in a member state then passed on to an individual, this is somehow in breach of EU law/regulations and somehow invalidates the warranty (this part is beyond me!? as the warranty is supplied by Subaru Japan AKA Fuji Heavy industries who have diddly to do with the EU! so how this can invalidate a warranty????????)

In the past it has worked smoothly along these lines....

• Problem with car - into dealer
• Dealer contacts IM (Subaru UK) to check if covered by warranty and seek authorisation for repair
• IM contact dealer in country of origin to do same
• Originating dealer authorises
• IM authorises
• Repair done
• Dealer bills IM
• IM pays dealer and invoices originating dealer
• Originating dealer re-imburses IM
• Originating dealer then presumably invoices Fuji HI

Subaru UK have recently though taken the view that due to the EU regulations mentioned in paragraph 2/3 if they "help" an end user to claim on his warranty (and as far as I can determine this is all they ever did.... acted as an intermediary between UK dealer and originating dealer) then they are "helping" that person break EU law and could be seen to be being complicit in breaching said law and end up being hit with financial penalties!

I reiterate.... THIS IS MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION AS IT STANDS AFTER DISCUSSING THE SITUATION WITH VARIOUS BODIES INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL MOTORS.

However it doesn't help me or get my suspension fixed and I don't understand why an end user with a warranty (in writing from the originating dealer with my name and address on it) should have a warranty repair refused apparently just because I got an intermediary to take the headache and paperwork out of importing an EU car for me. In years gone by I would have got the ferry to Holland bought my car and drove it home but the car I wanted was in Cyprus and you can't really do that there!

I thought that free trade and competition were the whole point of the EU. IN MY OPINION IM's interpretation of the rules and current actions SEEM to offer the complete opposite and restrict freedom of choice? just my opinion.

If any one could shed any light on the EU laws/regulations involved here I think quite a few of us would be VERY grateful.

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Vipa, Long time since I saw you posting !!

Hows it going ???

Have you actually had warranty work refused by a dealer ???
Even though you had a letter confiming your warranty ?

I have tried to check up on this and as far I can tell what Subaru is doing is actually not following the EU block exemption rules set up in 2002.

I will try to find it and post a link.

Pilotdan

Err... I think it is dealer margin and Subaru Japan trying to maximise profits by selling these cars an hugly inflated prices as opposed to the rest of the world.

See here in the US where we can buy a WRX for $20,000 at year end dealer markdown (with very little going to the dealer) and still get 3 years warranty included. (Thats about £11,000 pounds all in).

Subaru are not a charity, they are in the business of making money as any company is. MSRP's are set by Subaru on a global basis, with information form regional marketting departments. They know they can get away with it in the UK as all other car companies do. The differrence in price is used to cross fund worldwide promotion and enable prices to be lower else where, not support the warranty department.

Where I am it was minus 18 degrees C for six weeks, two feet of snow for three months, and then in the summer its in the 100's for three months. Plus the amount of salt they use on the roads is amazing, (its a good job they dont have Fiats here). I think the strain on cars here is more than the UK.

Remember, labour maybe slightly more expensive, but all the parts are still made in the same place.

p.s. I work for a European Car company, whose vehicles are half the price over here, and offer 4 year full maintenance in that half price.

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Still looking at EU legislation ...Yawn !!

Point 2 on the link below implies that you can use a non authorised intermediary to obtain a car for you and that the warranty will be ok (I think !) as long as it is registered.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competitio...ion/faq_en.pdf

Actually this is the full document 93 pages of light reading - Excellent !!

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competitio...rochure_en.pdf

See P43 Question 34 - seems like it may be of use

If anyone can understand it all can they let me know.

Vipa

Hi WRXSeeker

I'm fine.... lurving my Scoob apart from a failing strut and what appears to be a faulty/loose rear suspension mount!!! How's you?

Never got a letter confirming my Scoob was on IM system even though I sent all the necessary paperwork/requests in in Feb. Admin error at IM I think by the looks of it.

Anyway, the dealer hasn't refused to do the warranty work but have refused to touch it until IM give them authorisation and or confirm that the car will be covered by warranty, IM won't do this citing all the BS already mentioned re EU block exemptions and unauthorised intermediaries!
IM have told me verbally that my car won't be covered under the warranty but are up to now refusing to put that in writing to me. I find this very strange cos if they are sure thier line of action is correct why won't they say so in a letter to me??????
The only way forward for me at this point is to pay for the work myself. I'm loathed to do it but need my car back on the road and can't wait for this to get sorted.

Thanks for the link, will have a read.

V

wrxseeker

iTrader: (1)

Vipa,

My car is fantastic - I still in love with it.

Had a squeaking/rattling rear window done under warranty at my local dealer at its 1st service and thats it.

I got a letter from IM confirming my warranty back a week after sending them the details.

Having (tried) to understand the EU doc I think (but if anyone can help I would be most grateful ) it works like this:

Subaru cannot refuse to honour the Pan European warranty if either (as donniedarko said) you tell them you imported it personally directly from say Subaru Cyprus or it was obtained on your instruction by a intermediary (ie broker as on page 50 of the long boring document !!!)

As your car was obtained via ALLIANCE and you are the 1st registered keeper and it is your name on the warranty book that came from Subaru Cyprus, I believe that you may have a case to say Alliance obtained a car on your instruction and therfore IM cant refuse your warranty. (I Think!!)

Unfortunately some of the motorpoint cars are pre-registered and unless they have an invoice or warranty book from Malta/cyprus it may be a different case. Intemediary's are different to independant dealers in the document.

Phew !! - What a way to spend Friday night - Its a good job I am ill and cant go out!!

These are my thoughts only - I am not qualified in the legal profession but if anyone is please feel free to help.

Darren

firewire

I was looking to buy an STi from an importer but didn't following some research done by my brother in law who is a solicitor.

Hope the following sheds some light

a) You have grey imports (which European Distributors including Subaru UK do not have to honour warranty on because they come from outside of Europe) and you have parallel imports which come from EU countries where the warranties are transferable between EU countries providing certain conditions are met.

b) The conditions are that the vehicle is sold by a legit Subaru dealer in an EU member state and that they are selling direct to the end user AND an invoice is provided by the supplier to support this.
THIS IS BASIC EU LAW - NOTHING TO DO WITH SUBARU UK OR JAPAN

c) The selective distribution system which forms part of Block exemption regs (Yes the same block exemption regs that let you get your car serviced anywhere without invalidating warranty) states that distributors (like Subaru Malta or Cyprus) may sell DIRECTLY (very important word) to end user (i.e. Joe in the street.) They may not sell to an independent unauthorised re-seller (i.e. car supermarkets etc.) AGAIN THIS IS EU LAW

If they do sell direct to a supermarket the vehicle cannot be defined as a parallel import under EU law. It is therefore classed as a grey and does not have the warranty benefits that a parallel has.

Somebody asked how does an official Subaru UK appointed dealer in the UK get away with selling used cars with a warranty. Answer - they are part of the authorised network. Subaru Japan authorise Subaru UK, Subaru UK authorise its dealers. Simple.

I ended up buying a UK car from a Subaru UK dealer. I take advantage of BER regulations by having my car serviced by a specialist and not a pukka dealer.

It seems to me that you can't cherry pick the bits of the legislation you like and then bitch and moan when Subaru UK use the same piece of legislation in its favour!

With regard to Motorpoint telling people who buy from them to tell porkies to Subaru UK by saying it is a personal import don't you ask yourself why. Do they also know that what they are doing aint quite legit?

Finally, it has been suggested that warranty should still be valid because the car supermarket is sourcing a car on your behalf. They are not, they already have the cars in stock, this makes them an unauthorised distributor and not an agent sorcing a car for you.

I coudn't be ar?!ed with all the grief if anything went Pete Tong.But you pays your money you takes your choice.

CAVEAT EMPTOR as my Brother in law says. Whatever the hell that means!!