Lowering and Warranty

[bush_pig]

Just wondering if anyone knows the deal with modding a vehicle while it is still under warranty. If I put Eibach springs in during warranty period and then something went wrong ( say with the motor ) would Mazda kick up a stink and void the warranty ?

Any advice appreciated.

[StanTheMan]

you'd be best off talking to them about it.

[NMX516]

If the problem was a direct result of the mods, potentially yes it would be a problem. But lowered springs, and a warranty claim on an engine? I wouldn't think so, but then as Stan suggested, best to ask Mazda - and get it in writing.

[Garry]

By fitting lowered springs then there is an inferal that the car has been \"mountain dríven\" which means the engine has been flogged and this led to it falling out. As Mazda engines tend to do when they've been dríven on the mountain. (see recent Bathurst 12 hour race)

But to answer your question, if the mods you did directly caused something to break then the warranty on that part is void. If your seat side cover wears through your seat bolster then they wont have any ground to refuse a warranty claim because you changed your springs.

As others have said, have a word to your friendly Mazda service adviser before you do your mods and get his opinion. He is the one that has to go into bat for you to get your warranty claims approved by Mazda HO.

[Mactype]

Been through all of this before.....

Any modification that you perform they will argue will negate warranty on that part and anything that said part affects. So if your doing lowered springs, expect to kiss warranty goodbye on suspension and possibly driveshafts.

I've found in the past that some dealerships need a swift kick from the manufacturer over warranty claims on modified vehicles.

I've been hauled into the service managers office to be told my HSV wouldn't be covered by warranty for a tailshaft drama cause it had been lowered - (ended up they confused my Maloo with another - idiots!)

Been asked to sign a stat dec that because I was sending a New Jeep direct to a shop to be modified that I'd give up warranty on any parts. Refused and just went to another dealership for servicing, warranty on parts not affected by the modifications - no problems sir.

I've had a warranty claim on CV's rejected by the dealership on a Cooper S because of wider rims. BMW kindly let them know that said rims were of legal fitment and therefore would be covered by warranty.

Just know your rights as a consumer and be reasonable if and when warranty comes up - don't jump up and down for replacement suspension bushes for instance knowing full well you've lowered it (although, I'd still ask as the answer can only be no).

[bush_pig]

Thanks for the replies. Spoke with the guys at Mazda.. said that it is a bit of a grey area but as long as the defect not directly related to or caused by the modification it wont be a worry.