The drivers side padded piece was loose and fell off a 05 mcs I just bought with 18k miles. Universal Mini said it would not be covered under warranty because the driver caused it. This really can't be true, is it? Anyone else have this happen? To me, that piece is used to open and shut the door(with the bar part), how could that be excessive use? Grrrr.

 

Try a different dealership.

 

Did one or more of the mounting tabs actually break off, or did they just become disengaged?

I can understand the padded part coming loose and/or breaking off if you habitually closed the door with just your fingertips on the top edge of the padded part, rather than actually getting your fingers behind the plastic bar and pulling on that, but for a relatively-inexpensive repair like this sounds, the dealer should give you the benefit of the doubt before assuming that you caused the failure.

 

change dealers

 

I did try a diff. dealer, they werent sure and was checking with the regional rep. All 4 tabs on the pad were broke and 2 on the door.

 

Ask them if they are claiming that you are abusing the door. If they are, then ask them to prove or show you how you are abusing it. If they cannot prove abuse, then they ned to cover the part under the bumper to bumper regular use warranty. Anything else and they are trying to get away with something.
I find if you ask someone to prove that you are really doing something wrong or abusing something they will rarely be able to prove it. I would think that they would cover the part once, but the second time they would be able to deny you.

 

I beleive that the problem that you are having is related to something else other than what's broken. If I understand this correctly, you just purchased this car, so you are at least the second owner, problem one, the vehicle is at least 2 model years old, problem two, the vehicle has at least 18,000 miles, problem three. Unless you purchased the car through a MINI dealer there is no bumper to bumper COMPLETE coverage on the car. Normally trim items, of which the part you are referencing is, are only warranteed for 12 months and or 12,000 miles. This has been a standard in the automotive industry forever along with wear items like brakes, tires and such. My bet says the dealer won't cover it because he isn't required to under the terms of the warranty

 

The Mini warranty from what I understand is a limited 4yr/50k bumper to bumper. I know limited adds a measure of subjectivity, with the service advisor admitted to. I agree, they would have to prove my abuse. Neither Mini dealer mentioned that trim items are on a shorter warranty period.

 

I have had bumper to bumper on many cars and this included trim and carpeting even. I have never heard that it wasn't covered. Heck I even had a GEO Metro with carpeting that ripped they replace the whole interrior carpet 2 times at 35000 miles (1k before end)

 

I don't think the MINI warranty is any different if you buy the car from another dealer or an individual. 4yrs./50,000 miles for stuff that breaks other than, "normal wear and tear".

 

never heard of that! The warranty should remain the same no matter who buys it from wherever.

 

My experience with warranties is that they are normally good for the original owner only, unless it is in writing.

 

MINI warranty goes with the car, not the owner.....as do most, if not all, of the others. I have bought several cars with factory warranty remaining, and never had a problem getting the dealer to honor the warranty....at least not based on who owned the car.

 

Uhhh maybe if it is a Hyundia or Kia. In fact I think those are the only ones. They do it because they have 10/100's and it would'nt be economically sound to transfer it.
I've had a lot of cars over the years and not one has ever not transfered the warranty automatically. In fact I just got back from warranty service on my two owner 04 in which they even replaced one of the wiper blades outside the maintenance warranty, just because they wanted to.


No... just plain no. Not in the US anyhow. I've been in the automotive industry for 11 years now and have never heard such a thing. The 12/1 that you are refering to is the replacement part that you buy at a dealership. the Bumper to Bumper is just that... BUMPER TO BUMPER! The only things not covered are wear items and abused items. Other than that, if the door handle falls off, it's replaced. If a decal starts to fade, its replaced (I was intimately involved in a DCX decal issue with my company...)


FWIW here's the link to the MiniUSA FAQ site where it states clearly that your Mini is covered regardless of who is driving. All they need to do is prove ownership.
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/warranties-m

 

i had this exact same problem but on the pass. door and the hooks and all were broke. took it to the dealer and they fixed it no ?'s asked! so change dealers!