Time for a new warranty?

[channella]

My 2yr warranty is coming to an end so I have to decide what to do. What is the current view of the Porsche warranty and how it is being operated by Porsche compared with some of the 3rd party offerings?

There have been some scary rumours about claims denied for apparently trivial reasons, which could perhaps be avoided (along with a costly 111pt check on a main dealer serviced vehicle) by using another provider.

What is the reality and experience?

Andrew

 

[channella]

Curious... Nothing at all?

 

[spyderman]

Don't know about claims actually refused, but policies certainly have. By 2004 550 had a Tracker fitted by the supplying OPC and that meant I couldn't extend the warranty - went with Tesco for a year but currently don't have a warranty. It does seem a bit OPC-dependant though - some let you get away with non-N-tyres for example and some won't.

 

[BartyB]

That's strange Chris. I bought my 2004 Boxster used with a Tracker fitted back in 2006 and have been able to re-new the warranty every year since. In the last 3 years I've had the followed sorted under warranty without any quibbles:

• new gearbox (2nd gear synchromesh failed @ 25k miles)
• new reverse-lamp switch
• new driver's door window regulator
• new door membranes (both doors leaked badly)
• new spark plug coils (6)
• new mirror motor unit
• new A/C condensor

I've recently renewed the Porsche warranty, but didn't bother with the recovery option as we already have RAC cover for the household. Over the last 3 years, the only things I've had to get done prior to renewing the warranty (as a result of the 111-point check) have been:

• a new battery
• new front discs (and pads)

I wonder how this compares to other owners' experiences.

 

[spyderman]

Which OPC? Mine is Silverstone and they confirmed the situation with Porsche Reading. The conclusion was that they would not allow a policy without removing the Tracker - at my expense. Obviously that was just over a year ago, so perhaps they've changed their tune.

 

[BartyB]

Chris, that sounds utter tosh. How therefore can OPCs get away with selling approved used cars complete with Porsche used car warranties and with the full knowledge that Trackers are fitted?

My OPC was aware that a Tracker was fitted as the paperwork was handed to me at the time of purchase along with the Porsche warranty document. Also, the OPC who sold it to me was the supplying dealer who originally supplied it to the first owner who specified the Tracker. Having a Tracker fitted has never been raised as an issue at any of the last three warranty renewals. Respectfully suggest you consider dumping Silverstone.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Unfortunately Chris' experience is not unique. Only VTS is allowed now. Any OPC can sell you a warranty and tell you you are fully covered even though you may have lots of aftermarket bits on it. However, in theory, come claim time they could tell you 'Computer says no' and point out the details in the warranty document.
Most OPCs are pragmatic, some aren't.

 

[bobsprats]

I had the same as Chris.
996 GT3rs. Tracker fitted from new by Porsche Centre.
When the new warranty system came out. I was told by two OPC's that the tracker would have to go if I wanted to renew the Warranty.
I needed the tracker for my insurance, and wanted to keep it anyway, So no more Warranty.

 

[BartyB]

Claim time has occurred several times in the last 3 years and the warranty has been honoured every time. My experience is clearly different from you guys.

I would argue that since the OPC is acting as an agent for the underwriter, if you submit your car to a 111 point inspection at your cost and pay a premium, once a policy document is issued then a binding contract exists. Should a subsequent legitimate claim be made within the terms of the policy, then the insurer is legally bound to honour those terms.

 

[spyderman]

We're not saying that claims are being refused - we're saying that the entire policy is refused.

 

[BartyB]

I realise that Chris, but I was responding to Rodney's comments about when it came to claim.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

ORIGINAL: BartyB

Claim time has occurred several times in the last 3 years and the warranty has been honoured every time. My experience is clearly different from you guys.

I would argue that since the OPC is acting as an agent for the underwriter, if you submit your car to a 111 point inspection at your cost and pay a premium, once a policy document is issued then a binding contract exists. Should a subsequent legitimate claim be made within the terms of the policy, then the insurer is legally bound to honour those terms.

I'm not sure about that. These policies are technically being mis-sold. If the policy clearly states that no 3rd party parts can be fitted to your car, but you come to claim for a blown engine - I'm sure the insurers will tell your OPC they are not paying out, and that OPC would pass on the message. The claim would not be legitimate because the terms of the contract have not been met. You can sign a contract but thereafter fail its ts&Cs.

An OPC could always turn around and say during the inspection everything was ok, but thereafter you fitted the non standard part.

 

[simonf]

I've had a Porsche Warranty on my 2003 Boxster for the last four years and have claimed on a few things including air con condensors (twice), CDR23, plus tiptronic microswitch failures (twice). Plus other stuff too but cannot remember the details. I'd say that if you remember the European cover too, I have probably got my monies worth.

However, last year they initially refused the warranty on the grounds that I had an RAC battery installed (fine the previous year, it had been there for about 18 months). When I insisted that the battery had been fitted by the RAC acting as Porsche Assist (true story) they gave me a new Porsche Battery for free and covered me. This is OPC Bristol.

I'm not complaining because I got my battery, which was probably half way though its life, replaced with a new one. However, the environmental consequences of replacing a battery that did not need replacing are not too clever.

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: BartyB
I realise that Chris, but I was responding to Rodney's comments about when it came to claim.

Sorry.

In my limited experience, the OPC warranty is good. My broken fuel pump fix no questions asked.

 

[BartyB]

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

I'm not sure about that. These policies are technically being mis-sold. If the policy clearly states that no 3rd party parts can be fitted to your car, but you come to claim for a blown engine - I'm sure the insurers will tell your OPC they are not paying out, and that OPC would pass on the message. The claim would not be legitimate because the terms of the contract have not been met. You can sign a contract but thereafter fail its ts&Cs.

An OPC could always turn around and say during the inspection everything was ok, but thereafter you fitted the non standard part.

Rodney, I feel you might have missed the point that I was making.

I agree with you that had I fitted non-standard parts after the inspection then I would have broken the terms of the policy and the insurers would have a valid reason for rejecting any claims. But I haven't fitted any non-standard parts since I acquired the car from an OPC or subsequent to any warranty inspection .

In all respects, I have fulfilled my side of the agreement. The car was inspected by the OPC who, in the context of extending the Porsche Approved Warranty, accepted the car as being warrantable as it was presented to them.

After having inspected the car (all 111 points), and had the opportunity to refer to records they hold, the OPC accepted my premium and in so doing made a legally binding contract with me on behalf of the broker and insurer. The OPC acts as the brokers agent and is the arbiter of whether to accept the risk or not. And from what I understand it is the OPC and Porsche GB that act for the broker and insurer in the matter of deciding whether any claim is legitimate or not. As OPCs are approved and regulated by the FSA, any evidence of mis-selling can be reported to the FSA.

My experience is that I have previously made claims under the terms of the PAW and these claims, including one for the replacement of a major component, were fully honoured without any quibbles. Which is why I chose to renew the Porsche warranty.

To answer Andrew's original question regarding the reality and experience of extending the PAW, as long as you are prepared to use an OPC for all servicing and maintenance work and only use Porsche parts, I think the risk is acceptable. Overall, for me it's proved worthwhile.

Finally, one thing that you might want to consider is deleting the optional recovery service as similar RAC / AA cover is cheaper.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Alan,

Your point is well made and understood.
My point is, going by the book, your OPC should never have issued you with a new warranty as your car does not comply under the new regulations.
Your car did not comply with the Ts&Cs of the contract because your tracker - although previously approved, no longer complies.

As can be seen from the posts above, OPCs all act differently when it comes to the issuing and fixing issues under the warranty. Some take a hard line some don't. My experience has shown me that they often are very flexible.

However, I strongly believe that an invalid contract (which yours is) may prove to be difficult to enforce if the worst should happen (blown engine etc). The insurer will tell your OPC it's not paying out, and your OPC will no doubt try and wriggle out of its obligations. You may have a case against your OPC for misselling you the warranty but that would be for the courts to decide.

This point has been made ad nauseum on other fora by qualified barristers.

 

[channella]

So where does that leave us? The ability or option to extend the warranty has changed over the course of owning Prosche cars, despite some "3rd party" items, mainly tracker type devices being fitted either with an OPC's knowledge or even with their cooperation. There are 3rd party warranties available that seem to offer extensive cover at similar cost, and do not require an 111pt inspection, simply that the vehicle is maintained in accordance with the manufacturers schedule.

To my mind, this is an area where an owners club could be in significant discussion with the manufacturer representing a sensible and reasonable postion of its members. Alternatively, we vote with our wallets, and take out 3rd party warranties.

FWIW in this 3rd year of ownership I have extended my warranty. The most frustrating thing was paying for the check, which could have been done at the service <1000 miles and 8 weeks ago if I had know or if it had been pointed out that was possible.

 

[Wilsonjr]

Hi ALL,
Just rang my local OPC when i found my drivers side door carpet to be soaking wet. The car spends mosts its life in the garage so never noticed or been out in the extreme wet. Been told over the phone by OPC that seals are not covered under warranty and it will cost £££ to fix! i have just spent £900 on extending the warranty before xmas and I am not happy if this is the case...!! BartyB did you say you had door seals replaced under extended warranty??
cheers (Boxster 987 - 2007)

 

[uknick]

So the new "super" warranty is not complete bumper to bumper. Quelle surprise!!

One would have thought that 3 year old door seals should not leak. But, I suppose they will say the seals have been damaged by not opening the doors correctly, i.e. squeeze handle and wait.

 

[Wilsonjr]

Well I got the car from the OPC less than 12mths ago and my current warranty expires in Feb so is still within the orginal 12mths approved. So i though i would beat the VAT increase by extending it... might just cancell that cheque if they dont rethink the door seal!!....