Brake caliper seized - warranty cover?

adocholiday

Just looking for some opinions here - could be a Consumer Issues thread either so feel free to move if necessary.

I bought a used 2010 Audi A4 in December with a full 1 year warranty.
At the weekend I noticed a burning smell and smoke coming from the wheel arch. AA guy came out and said it was a seized caliper. He managed to clean it up etc. so I could get home. Now I need to have the caliper replaced and just wondering if that could be considered a warranty repair? I know I could just ring and ask but I don't want to look like an idiot, I'd like to have the call with all bases covered.

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a good indie Audi specialist in the South Dublin area to do the job then I'd be glad to take the details from you.

spockety

adocholiday wrote: »

Just looking for some opinions here - could be a Consumer Issues thread either so feel free to move if necessary.

I bought a used 2010 Audi A4 in December with a full 1 year warranty.
At the weekend I noticed a burning smell and smoke coming from the wheel arch. AA guy came out and said it was a seized caliper. He managed to clean it up etc. so I could get home. Now I need to have the caliper replaced and just wondering if that could be considered a warranty repair? I know I could just ring and ask but I don't want to look like an idiot, I'd like to have the call with all bases covered.

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a good indie Audi specialist in the South Dublin area to do the job then I'd be glad to take the details from you.

Do you have a copy of the warranty? It should clearly state what's included. I'd be flabbergasted if it included any braking components (or anything for that matter that could 'reasonably be considered wear and tear'). You never know though...

adocholiday

spockety wrote: »

Do you have a copy of the warranty? It should clearly state what's included. I'd be flabbergasted if it included any braking components (or anything for that matter that could 'reasonably be considered wear and tear'). You never know though...

Honestly I thought as much myself, but I wasn't sure if a seized caliper would be considered 'wear and tear'. I thought that it would be something exceptional. Like for example if I needed new brake pads or discs I know that's all on me.

Also there's no itemized warranty, just a note on the receipt for the car that says "full 1 year warranty or 12,000 miles".

Cee-Jay-Cee

spockety wrote: »

Do you have a copy of the warranty? It should clearly state what's included. I'd be flabbergasted if it included any braking components (or anything for that matter that could 'reasonably be considered wear and tear'). You never know though...

A caliper isn't a wear and tear item, discs and pads yes, calipers...absolutely not. A 2010 Audi should not be needing calipers replaced so soon.

spockety

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

A caliper isn't a wear and tear item, discs and pads yes, calipers...absolutely not. A 2010 Audi should not be needing calipers replaced so soon.

Ever read a warranty for a car?

Cheensbo

7 years of salty roads and probably ne'er a fluid change, not unrealistic for them to sieze up..

calipers can last less than that, and are a wear and tear item although one would hope that they would last a lot longer.

You won't need an audi specialist to change it, but could perhaps hope that the dealer gives some goodwill but thats about it, imo.

manor

Just got 2 replaced on a mitibushi outlander under warranty 132 reg. I downloaded the warranty on the Mitsubishi website. Brakes and clutches not covered.

sann

Had a similar problem with a 2008 Audi a4. Was covered under warranty.

Toyotafanboi

It depends on the warranty. If it's a Car protect/ Mapfre style warranty there is no hope.

If it's a genuine in house warranty from an honest business I don't see why they wouldn't cover it.

Pads/ discs as stand alone items wouldn't be covered, but as collateral damage from the seized calliper I would expect pads to be covered and perhaps discs if necessary.

Seweryn

You most likely don't need a new caliper but a service with a new set of new seals. Remove the caliper, take it apart, clean it, grease the components using Red Rubber Grease and put it back.

adocholiday

Seweryn wrote: »

You most likely don't need a new caliper but a service with a new set of new seals. Remove the caliper, take it apart, clean it, grease the components using Red Rubber Grease and put it back.

That's what the AA lad did but he said it would only be a temporary measure. He said that the seals were shot and that some of the internals were rusted. He was able to scrape away fair bits of rust with a screwdriver, so that's why I hoped it would be covered under warranty because the seals are gone a while in that case.

Thanks for all of the input, I'll give the garage a call and see what they think. Got a quote for €205 for supply and fit of a genuine part from an indie so it's not the worst thing in the world if it isn't covered.

spockety

adocholiday wrote: »

That's what the AA lad did but he said it would only be a temporary measure. He said that the seals were shot and that some of the internals were rusted. He was able to scrape away fair bits of rust with a screwdriver, so that's why I hoped it would be covered under warranty because the seals are gone a while in that case.

Thanks for all of the input, I'll give the garage a call and see what they think. Got a quote for €205 for supply and fit of a genuine part from an indie so it's not the worst thing in the world if it isn't covered.

That's a really fair quote.