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Hello All, I'm trying to canvass opinion on whether I should contribute to a dealer's repairs they did under warranty. I bought an M-reg Defender 110 about 2 weeks ago, but didn't like the crunching from the gearbox.  I took it back to the dealer and asked them to look at it.  Before they examined it, they said that they needed to replace the syncro for 1st and 2nd and that they'd do it all under the warranty, however they ended up doing rather more than was originally suggested;   * reconditioned gearbox   * New clutch   * Reseal rear main and sump   * Strip transfer box and replace cross pins in centre diff   * New rear input gear   * Fitted oil thrower kit (whatever that is) It cost £880 in parts and 18 hours of labour in the end.  They have asked me to make a contribution, and classed paying for the gearbox (about £500) as generous.  The truck has done 85,000 miles but theoretically should now have a bombproof drivetrain what with the other repairs they did before they sold it to me.  I paid £9,000 inc vat for it in the first place.  They didn't ask me about the repairs above, the first I knew about their overzealousness was when I called them yesterday for a progress report. They said that they could have just fixed the gearbox under the warranty but what with all the other troubles too I'd have been back in a year or two, but now it should be fine for some 70,000 miles. I've driven the truck away without paying them a bean, after all it's a warranty repair, but I did tell them that I'd consider making a contribution in a few weeks time and am inclined at the moment to pay for the gearbox, or to pay about £400 or so (depending on whether a wheel balance fixes the steering shake).  I believe in having a good relationship with a dealer that you feel you can trust, and this particular dealer (name withheld for now) seems to have their heart in the right place. Does anyone have any comments on the above at all?

I believe in having a good relationship with a dealer that you feel you can trust But surely that trust starts with them asking permission before doing any work you didn't ask for? Personally I'd be livid.

I believe in having a good relationship with a dealer that you feel you can trust But surely that trust starts with them asking permission before doing any work you didn't ask for? Personally I'd be livid. I said to them before they started the work that if, while they were rooting around in the gearbox, they saw something that they think needed doing but they weren't prepared to do it under the warranty then they should call me and we could talk about it, as it turns out they did that, and then some, but have only *asked* me to pay, not required it. While I didn't explicitly ask for the work, I did give them a list of symptoms and asked them to rectify them, so anything goes really. Renewing large chunks of the drivetrain and hoping I'd agree to pay for some of it (less than a third of the cost) out of the goodness of my heart doesn't *really* seem to be the act of a dodgy dealer.  After all they could have just filled it with thick oil and told me it was OK, the three month warranty would probably have expired by the time it threw cogs everywhere. I think they're trying to do the right thing and have already made a heavy loss on this truck.  One of the risks of offering a warranty directly (not via a dodgy that's wear and tear third-party) is that sometimes you lose, but they feel they've done far more than was required of them and it certainly looks like they have. If I can find a good dealer I'm likely to go back repeatedly, my Audi has been touched by hardly anyone but Seaspray Motors in Uxbridge, which is 45 minutes drive from my house in Reading.  I've even shipped it to him on a transporter rather than give it to the local dealers 300 yards from me because I know I can trust him.  If I can find the equivalent in land rover dealers I'd be happy, so far these guys look good, but they could be pulling some dodgy deal or another, which is why I'm waffling about it in this group. What I need is Wonder Woman's lasso of truth, although I think I'd skip the thigh-length boots.  Unless she was still in them that is.

No quote, No consultation; tell em to get knotted.  Seriously, if you did'nt agree to the extra work that is their problem. I always have to sign a docket agreeing to the work to be done. Sam Goldwyn once said   a verbal contract is as valuable as the paper it's written on ; these people did'nt even do you the courtesy of a quick discussion. If they knew they had to replace the synchro, why did they not mention this at the purchase time. If you have the car I'd keep hold of it and ask them to provide you with the agreement to proceed with the work. Get a lawyers advice as well.

I said to them before they started the work that if, while they were rooting around in the gearbox, they saw something that they think needed doing but they weren't prepared to do it under the warranty then they should call me and we could talk about it, as it turns out they did that, and then some, but have only *asked* me to pay, not required it.< Disregarding my last post; I would say you did ask them to rectify the work and as you say they did talk to you and some . It really depends on what you actually did say and what you implied to them. if you gave them the idea you wanted all the problems solved, then I would say you are duty bound to honour your side. Seems a strange way to do business.