Should headlight aim be covered under warantee?

[BanziBarn]

Hi Guys,

I've just had my first MOT on the FR, but have had it done just before my warantee runs out so the car can have a last check over to make sure nothing needs doing.

Anyway, the car failed on the number plates (honey comb background) and head light aim.

Should I have been charged for getting the aim fixed? People have been flashing me for a while actually and I'm wondering if I had just taken the car in and mentioned the problem separate from an MOT test whether it would have been fixed free of charge?

Cheers

 

[m0rk]

most MOT places just adjust the headlamp beam when they're testing it...

 

[Nath.]

If you have HID's then that will explain the aim needing adjustment.

 

[Rael]

in a word, yes. my headlights were pointing at the floor (well, near enough) and my seat place just adjusted them up.

 

[andycupra]

who charged you for adjusting the headlights? although im presuming a dealer...!?

as M0rk has said, most MOT places would just do it as part of the test. in fact im fairly sure that the newer MOT test and its current recommended price is based on new tests and basic adjustments such as headlight alignment adjustment being part of the test. It certainly takes less time to do the adjustment than to write it up.

If a garage tried to charge me is say something like: ' you are trying to charge me for adjusting my headlights? did you call me to check this was ok? - no..? then im not paying.'
If they do call and say they will adjust them, and its going to cost me something, id ask, 'why do most other places do this free of charge?', - if they insist id point out its taken them longer to make this call than to do the work. Which would and should take no more than 20 seconds for both sides. (id do it in less than 10 seconds)

20 seconds labour (based on charges of £100 per hour) would be equal to about 50pence worth of labour charges...

I cant really see that headlight adjustment should be covered under warranty.. although id point out to them that its set up as the car was new and if its wrong then they should bill seat not you.

 

[BanziBarn]

Thanks for your replies, I don't have HID.

It was the wife who picked the car up from the dealer so I'm just going by the invoice which isn't easy to understand! But, it looks like they've charge £30 plus VAT for 'Reset headlight aim', so the grand total for the MOT was £86.43!

I think I need to phone them and get it sorted, it does sound like I've been ripped off!

 

[robdf2]

Thanks for your replies, I don't have HID.

It was the wife who picked the car up from the dealer so I'm just going by the invoice which isn't easy to understand! But, it looks like they've charge £30 plus VAT for 'Reset headlight aim', so the grand total for the MOT was £86.43!

I think I need to phone them and get it sorted, it does sound like I've been ripped off!

The mk1 leons were notorious for the beams going out of alignment and mine was re aligned free of charge , the dealer should not be charging for this at all.

 

[BanziBarn]

Phoned them.

The resonse was:

A: not a particurally quick job on modern cars hence the labour charge (15 mins labour)
B: car didn't leave factory with aim out, it is due to speed bumps and they see it all the time.



Oh well, I asked - couldn't be bothered to argue.