Gearbox repair failed under warranty

Pops_20 · 06-05-2015 10:15PM #1

I had some trouble with my 2006 Opel Astra with Easytronic transmission a few months back. Basically it left me stranded, had to get it towed to a garage, two weeks later got it back and it was the gear selector actuator that had failed, and the repair came at a hefty price. These gearboxes are known to cause a bit of trouble.

Today the same thing happened again. Was driving along, car wouldn't engage any gear. Switched off the engine and it won't restart again. The gearbox centre that fixed it the last time gave me a 6,000 mile warranty which I haven't reached yet.

To cut a long story short, I'm not in that part of the country at the moment, and had to get the car towed to a local Opel Dealer.

My question is this - If the Opel Garage repairs the issue, should the Gearbox Centre reimburse me for the cost?

MuppetCheck · 06-05-2015 10:20PM

You'll need to call them. No one can answer for sure.

At a guess...doubtful.

scrap_man · 06-05-2015 10:22PM

Pops_20 wrote: »

I had some trouble with my 2006 Opel Astra with Easytronic transmission a few months back. Basically it left me stranded, had to get it towed to a garage, two weeks later got it back and it was the gear selector actuator that had failed, and the repair came at a hefty price. These gearboxes are known to cause a bit of trouble.

Today the same thing happened again. Was driving along, car wouldn't engage any gear. Switched off the engine and it won't restart again. The gearbox centre that fixed it the last time gave me a 6,000 mile warranty which I haven't reached yet.

To cut a long story short, I'm not in that part of the country at the moment, and had to get the car towed to a local Opel Dealer.

My question is this - If the Opel Garage repairs the issue, should the Gearbox Centre reimburse me for the cost?

No, you have to give the original garage the chance to rectify the problem first.

Pops_20 · 06-05-2015 10:36PM

scrap_man wrote: »

No, you have to give the original garage the chance to rectify the problem first.

I would be more than happy to do this, but the cost to have the car recovered to there would be upwards of a 1,000 I'm assuming.

Stheno · 06-05-2015 10:38PM

Pops_20 wrote: »

I would be more than happy to do this, but the cost to have the car recovered to there would be upwards of a 1,000 I'm assuming.

How far is it?

Pops_20 · 06-05-2015 10:42PM

Stheno wrote: »

How far is it?

230 kms

mickdw · 07-05-2015 12:56AM

Pops_20 wrote: »

230 kms

Couldn't see that costing 1000.

GTDolanator · 07-05-2015 09:13AM

If you contact a small tow company the yes,get onto some of the bigger car transporters should get it done for less than 150

Pops_20 · 07-05-2015 09:42AM

GTDolanator wrote: »

If you contact a small tow company the yes,get onto some of the bigger car transporters should get it done for less than 150

It cost me 200 euro to tow it 55km a couple of months ago.

Does anyone have a name for any affordable car transporters. Opel are quoting me 1842 euro to fit a replacement part! Need to get this back to the first garage so they can stand over their warranty.

GavMan · 07-05-2015 09:59AM

Have you actually asked the garage in question if they will cover the cost of Opel repair. They might want shot of you if they think they're going to have to keep honoring a warranty for this job. If they get rid, you'll be Opel's problem then.

On that note, if they do want to do the job for you, make sure you get another warranty the same as before. Same with Opel if they do it for you.

Google car transporter ireland to throw up a few names to get quotes.

mickdw · 07-05-2015 10:13AM

GavMan wrote: »

Have you actually asked the garage in question if they will cover the cost of Opel repair. They might want shot of you if they think they're going to have to keep honoring a warranty for this job. If they get rid, you'll be Opel's problem then.

On that note, if they do want to do the job for you, make sure you get another warranty the same as before. Same with Opel if they do it for you.

Google car transporter ireland to throw up a few names to get quotes.

You won't get further extended warranty on a repair that you don't pay for. Original warranty expiry will still apply

SuperS54 · 07-05-2015 03:02PM

Contact the original garage, they may have a tow vehicle or likely contact with a low cost service.

Pops_20 · 07-05-2015 03:08PM

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

Finally got in contact with the original garage. They are trying to organise a tow truck to bring the car back. Hopefully it won't take too long... They might try drag it out a bit.

Pops_20 · 08-05-2015 10:12AM

The garage couldn't find someone who is in the area to tow it. So it comes out of my own pocket at a cost of 250, less than I expected.

The garage won't cover the cost as they say they can't prove whether it is the original problem or a new problem with the gearbox.

Opel read out the fault codes and its the clutch actuator that has broken. I can't be sure what broke the last time as the garage only gave me a generic 'repair to electronic module unit' description.

Its going back to the auto electrician who repaired it for the garage. He said he will repair it for free even if its a different problem this time.

My advice - stay away from these Opel Easytronic transmissions. They seem like a good idea but when they go wrong its a disaster.

Gearbox repair failed under warranty

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