No warranty for imported Subarus

Thursday, November 24, 2005

  • Cars supplied by Subaru dealers in Europe ineligible
  • Technicality in EU law creates warranty ‘hole’
  • Affected owners can’t have warranty work done

Subaru Impreza Saloon

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Subaru UK Ltd is refusing to honour the warranties of cars recently imported from within the EU, despite owners having stamped warranty paperwork, What Car? has discovered.

The company has written to the owners of some cars, originally supplied by Subaru dealers in Europe, saying that they are not eligible for a warranty because of a technicality in EU regulations.

Under European law, franchised dealers can only sell direct to individual customers, or to an intermediary acting on behalf of a specific buyer, for the original warranty to be valid.

Subaru UK says that if a third party, such as a British import broker, buys cars in bulk and imports them here, it does not have to honour the warranty originally supplied with the car.

Affected owners have been unable to register their cars in the UK for warranty purposes, refused warranty work and told they cannot have dealer accessories fitted.

Ed Swatman, boss of International Motors Ltd, Subaru UK’s parent company, told What Car?: ‘We are under no obligation to provide warranties for cars sourced through third-party resellers (such as importers). We have no problem with cars imported via an intermediary in accordance with EU regulations.’

The British Independent Motor Trade Association, which represents independent vehicle importers, is unhappy with IM Group’s position. Spokesman Richard Moore told What Car?: ‘We would be surprised if this position has been directed from the top of Subaru, as most responsible manufacturers provide an international transferable warranty for up to 24 months. We know of no other manufacturer who has taken such a position.’

Nevertheless, if other car makers follow suit, it could have a devastating effect on the import industry in this country.

• If your import has been refused warranty work, contact our Helpdesk at wchelpdesk@whatcar.com