The lack of understanding of some dealers over warranty issues and “non-genuine parts” has been highlighted by the IAAF in the UK after a recent case involving an Audi A3.

The car owner was left shocked and angry after he was told by his VAG dealer that a timing belt problem would not be covered by the warranty because of the fitment of “a non-Audi oil filter”.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation and chief executive Brian Spratt immediately contacted the Audi dealer’s service manager to explain the rules surrounding illegal invalidation of warranties under the provisions of the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010. The dealer subsequently reversed their original decision and completed free rectification of the timing belt problem under the warranty.

Brain Spratt commented, “The Regulation states that use of parts to service a vehicle which have not been supplied through the dealer network is not sufficient reason to declare a warranty invalid. This was a clumsy attempt by a dealer to duck their responsibilities for warranty repairs.” Brian also pointed out that the filter in question was from a global manufacturer and OE supplier to vehicle producers including VAG.