Question: Warranty work vs. Diagostics charges

[Cab0oze]

Hi guys, just got back from my first trip to a dealer for warranty work on my speed... I actually went there to get keys programmed, but figured id get them to look at some stuff thats annoying me - shaking drivers side mirror, squeaking center console, and clanking transmission. I told them I didn't want to do anything that would not be covered under warranty.

They didn't get anything done because they needed to order parts, but they did go on a 15 min test drive for the clanking transmission and said that they didn't hear it. Got charged 30 bucks for them testdriving it. I complained to the guy and told them that i wouldn't have got them to 'diagnose' it if it was going to cost me money... ive got extended warranty, i could just wait until the damn thing breaks. After some fighting he lowered the cost to 25$ and said next time i come he'll give me a free carwash. The guy got me out of there without further fighting because he was not much older than me and was pretty cool and talked to me for like 20 minutes about cars n mods n stuff.

Is this normal?? My gf's GM has been in and out dozens of times trying to diagnose rattles and stuff, and even when they dont hear the problem they never charged her...

Feedback plz!

[Noisy Crow]

All depends on the dealership.....

I took my car to QEW Mazda to have a noise looked at. Thought it might be a bad bearing. They threw the car on the lift to make sure the suspension components were tight, and road tested it. Conclusion: noisy tires due to feathering. Didn't charge me a cent. And I should point out that the suspension, rims, and tires are all aftermarket...

[QEWmazdaPrez]

People should be informed of charges before they are incurred. Typically, a Repair Order is signed by the customer authorizing the work. If we think there may be a charge for diagnostic work, we identify that to the customer, and put it on the Repair Order, so you can see it in front of you before you sign off and approve the work.

Some types of warranty work include a component of diagnostic time that Mazda covers. However, whether diagnostic time and charges to a customer, are at the discretion of the dealership, provided they have informed the customer and obtained approval ahead of time. The reason why is simple: Most time a technician gets involved in diagnosing a problem, they charge the dealership for their time. Whether the dealership chooses to absorb that cost or charge for their service may depend on the customer, the amount of time involved, how busy the shop is, etc. Your gf may be a good customer of the dealership, and they want to keep her happy.

Hope that helps. PM me if you would like more info.

[Cab0oze]

People should be informed of charges before they are incurred. Typically, a Repair Order is signed by the customer authorizing the work. If we think there may be a charge for diagnostic work, we identify that to the customer, and put it on the Repair Order, so you can see it in front of you before you sign off and approve the work.

Some types of warranty work include a component of diagnostic time that Mazda covers. However, whether diagnostic time and charges to a customer, are at the discretion of the dealership, provided they have informed the customer and obtained approval ahead of time. The reason why is simple: Most time a technician gets involved in diagnosing a problem, they charge the dealership for their time. Whether the dealership chooses to absorb that cost or charge for their service may depend on the customer, the amount of time involved, how busy the shop is, etc. Your gf may be a good customer of the dealership, and they want to keep her happy.

Hope that helps. PM me if you would like more info.That's what I thought. Unfortunately I was in a rush because I was going to miss the shuttle and didn't read what I signed very carefully, because I had told them only do do work that was covered under warranty and assumed there was nothing too worry about. I don't have the signed repair order so I'm not sure what it said exactly.

That was a very helpful post though, thanks Jason

[bluemazda3]

Had my clunking noise looked at..at QEW Mazda.. John told me there might be a diagnostic fee so i was cool with it.. diag was about 2 hours or so.. after it was all said and done.. I was talking to Mr Booter with my hand on my wallet... and he says... "have a nice day" lol :thumbsup

[Burner]

When my car was under warranty still I brought it in to have them look at the engine mount. They had me sign for the diagnostic charge but told me if there was a problem found I wouldn't pay for it, Mazda would. I was fine with that since I knew the mount was bad. Didn't pay anything and was out within the hour with a new mount installed.

[Rob23]

you should have taken the guy for a test drive with him in the passenger seat. then you can point out the noises as you hear them and they can't charge you for the test drive because your driving.

[Cab0oze]

you should have taken the guy for a test drive with him in the passenger seat. then you can point out the noises as you hear them and they can't charge you for the test drive because your driving.I wanted to but i had to drop it off before they started working on it, and picked it up after they had already left =/