RAC Technicare warranty - Waste of money?

Status
Not open for further replies.

jazza

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2002
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I bought a 230E (99) 3 years ago and have continuously and painfully paid for anextended warranty (last year £680.00)
The car developed a nolise which after investigation turned out to be a the catalytic converter disintegrating. It clearly states in the warranty the the 'cat' is covered. However the biffins at RAC have decided that it it due to wear and tear!!!! and will not pay out. Any advice?
 

Matt Crooke

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2001
Messages
781
Reaction score
0
Age
48
Location
Essex UK
RAC Technicare warranty

If it clearly states that the Cat is covered, i really cant see what they have to argue about. Does it say anywhere in the small print that certain items are only covered for a set period of time?
 
OP
J

jazza

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2002
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
RAC Technicare warranty

They recon that the test on the functionality of the cat ie emissions was ok that the thing was working as it should, however the noise form the cat is very similar to an idler gear being U/S especialy when its cold, and its only a matter of time before it pack in. By that time the warranty will have expired and they have the 'right to decline' any application for another year... Shady or what?
 

JR

Active Member
Joined
May 2, 2002
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
Location
london
RAC Technicare warranty

jazza be very careful with a disintegrating cat
there ar some micro tiny bits of ceremic inside these things that can make their way into all sorts places
and contrary to popular belief they do not always get blown out of the exhaust, they can cause some serious problems if left un-attended

JR
 

white190

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2002
Messages
130
Reaction score
0
Location
Ipswich / UK
Website
hobbystage.net
RAC Technicare warranty

I know how you feel my Cat is comming to the end of it's life ... It rattles now and again... I'm not looking foward to the ~400 quid for a mild steel new one or ~700 squid for a stainless box...
I might do the same as my Brother and remove the cat ... and just refit it prior to an mot.... might get a few more years out of it that way..... strictly speaking it's ilegal but what the heck....
 

Arnie

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2002
Messages
627
Reaction score
15
Location
London
RAC Technicare warranty

I had the same RAC warranty included on a S/H car which I bought some time ago. I agree, there is small print that covers them against paying out for any eventuality.

I think it's just like a gimmic to help sell S/H cars on the strength of the RAC name. I eventually got half the payment due from them after a couple of letters arguing that point and explaining that they should honour the warranty in spirit, even if they have covered themselves legally. I explained in the letter that a person is brought up to trust the RAC name and what it stands for, and that one, therefore, does not take trouble to read all the smallprint. I told them that they are doing themselves a diservice by putting their name to warranties that are not worth the paper they ar written on.

Well, after a coulple of letters, they paid up.

BTW.. the claim was for failed (collapsed) rear brake shoes and consequential damage to the drums and slave cylinders. Of course, they said wear and tear.

After all,  most any any failure on a used car can be attributed to wear and tear in some way.
 

Andy

Senior Member
Joined
May 28, 2001
Messages
1,247
Reaction score
0
Location
West Midlands
Website
www.mercedesservicing.com
RAC Technicare warranty

Hi Jazza,

You don't mention how old the cat is? But the warranty would be a mechanical BREAKDOWN warranty. So if the item fails completely then it is covered. You could and should argue that the cat has broken down. If you are pessistant enough and word you argument carefully, they should come to the party.

White: The rattle you are talking about is usually the outer casing of the cat. They just go rotten. Cut if off, end of rattle. The 190 & 124 cats are usually robust. But they do fail. But I would check the outer casing first.

Why is it there I here you ask? Welllll, As you are aware, the catalytic coverter gets extremely hot. The outer casing is insulation against this extreme heat. Under certain  conditions witout it they could set debris alight. IE if parked on grass which is dry.


Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com
 
Status
Not open for further replies.


Welwyn Merx Limited is a family run business with genuine passion, dedication and 25 years of experience dealing with Mercedes-Benz and AMG passenger cars.
Tel: 01707 395999www.welwynmerx.uk
Top Bottom