now my car is a year old and the body service is due, is it worth having done?
also, how long does it take and how much

simon

 

Simon,

Yes, it is worth having done. If you don't, the body warranty is invalidated. Note that you have to have it done within a fairly tight window either side of the first anniversary. Check the service logbook for details.

The dealer may need your car for a few hours. As I understand it, they first have to wash the underside of the car then let it dry before applying the treatment. It isn't a while-u-wait job.

I don't recall the actual cost. Somewhere around £100 or so. People have moaned about this but (as with wheel-cleaning - see other thread on that

 

Have I missed something here?

Are you talking about UK cars or Jap imports?

Seems like the dealers are taking the p**s if this is for UK models.

 

I'm talking about UK models. This is different from getting imports undersealed, which I think is part of the SVA as they don't do it in Japan. It has to be done after the first year and (I think) every two years after that. It's not the dealers taking the p*ss in requiring it - it's a Subaru requirement for the warranty. The dealers may be taking the p*ss on the price, though, so it's worth shopping around. However, it's not worth not getting it done at all just to save a few quid in the short term.

 

What exactly does this process entail and what products are used?

 

As a former Mitsubishi (sorry bout that) car salesman from my teens when they did (and still do i think) offer 6 year corrosion warranties, i'm affraid its a all big farce just to guarantee the dealers regular income (similar to warranty work and servicing etc).

 

The body service may well be unnecessary when you look at the car, but the buggers will use it against you if they can in any warranty claim. The frightening thing about the job is the service book must have one of two special stamps put in it - they cost £8 EACH...

Best to do it and ask for a nice loan car for the 3-4 hours it takes

Yex

 

Just had mine done, cost 85 GBP inc.

Probably completely unnecessary but I know which second hand car I'd choose between 2 identically specced cars if one was missing the body warranty.

I presume Subaru Japan don't have a similar requirement for local STI/WRX ?
Have the Japanese government banned corrosion or something ?

 

I think the Japanese roads maintenance people don't use salt ..... so in a sense, the government HAVE banned corrosion.

That was the reason the old Datsun 120Y et al used to turn into colanders after a winter or two on British roads.

 

as people have allready said it HAS to be done for warranty.
mine is due and i have spoken to the dealer.
approx £50, all they do is re-treat any area's that in their view need doing.so they may actually do nothing!
i can have a loan car while it is being done(a proton) and all they will charge me is £4.99 for this.(how cheap).