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Hi. If you buy a second hand car via a dealer and the battery fails within that three month period, should the dealer replace it, or is it not covered.

Thanks

Hi there,
Car dealers may give a warranty that should cover the battery, and outside this time there is the CGA (consumer guarantees act) that gives some cover on a case by case basis. This will need to be discussed with the dealer before any repairs are carried out, as to what is reasonable for your specific vehicle, age, mileage, and condition based.

Hi. The dealer had stated the 3 month warranty does not include the battery. I suppose I am wondering whether they are expected to cover this, or whether they can decide that an item is not covered. Should I expect to have a battery replaced if it has stopped working inside the three month period, is that fair and reasonable, or is it up to the sales yard to make that decision. Cheers.

Hi there,
The CGA out trumps any dealer warranty, and does not have component exclusions.
So I would expect a dealer to cover the battery if it fails even inside their own warranty period. Do they have it in writing what their own warranty covers?.

I will take a look tonight at the warranty. Thanks for your help thus far. I have also asked the CGA people what their thoughts are. I will update when I find out more.

I checked the warranty and it states it does not include the battery, and I have signed that document, so I assume I have accepted that the battery is excluded and there is not much I can do. I also assume since I have signed the warranty dcoument the CGA will no longer apply. I contacted the CGA people amd they were not much help. Let me know your thoughts about whether I can still chanllenge the dealer's decision not to replace the battery, or at least contribute to it's replacement. Thanks again.

Hi there,
A dealer can't op out of their responsibilities under the CGA, but it may mean resolution through a disputes tribunal to get compensation for your battery.