Need advice for dealer issue
 

Hey all, this is unrelated to the BRZ/FRS/86 but its a question regarding subaru. and will be long winded.

So my friend bought a 2014 STi Tsurgi (?spelling) model with less than 60K, in a private sale from someone within the GTA back in November 2016. But recently just had its 60K service which included an oil change and inspection, by the local dealer 3 weeks ago. This week while driving into work, on the highway, the car started to make a disturbing metallic sound, and when he got to the off ramp lights the car died. he was able to restart it and drive it a bit further to better spot, at which point he left it and came to work, by getting a lift from a fellow coworker who saw that he was stopped. The next morning we met a tow truck there, so I checked the oil level to see if it was low, but what i found, and wish I took a picture of, was the oil level, it was easily twice as high as the high mark after sitting all night in a flat parking lot. This shouldn't be a big deal as its under warranty, but when I my buddy took it to the dealer they said it was branded as modified and now the warranty is void, and to top it off they said the engine oil was a little high due to material being in the pan, but nothing out of the ordinary. Also, at the time of the sale the guy that he bought the car from said no performance mods were done to it. so far the dealer has taken apart the engine and said major damage was done to the heads, and a new long block will be $11K.

This all sounds questionable to me, but anyways, does anyone have any advice on this?

Much appreciated.

Has the dealer given any indication as to what modifications were noted in the "branding"? In the US they have legislation protecting car owners from this type of this and the dealer would have to prove that the modification was the direct cause of the failure in order to void any warranty. While I don't believe we have the same protection here the onus should still be on the dealer to prove the mod caused the failure.

I've never heard of a vehicle being branded as modified... branding usually is associated with the cars title and that's not even an option lol... I'd be interested to know where this "branding" is coming from as it sounds more like a typical dealer get out of having to do warranty work card

I've linked below the information on titles where it clearly states there are only 4 titles

https://www.ontario.ca/document/offi...icle#section-1

I highly doubt the vehicle has been branded as that would refer to the ownership which, as Canehda has pointed out, is not possible in Ontario.

Every dealer is different but what has likely been done is the vehicle has been flagged internally by a dealership, and possibly "branded" internally by Subaru. This is mostly done when they notice the vehicle has been tuned, and occasionally done when aggressive or obvious modifications have been done to the vehicle.

Bent42 is right, the dealer must prove the alleged modifications were the cause of the failure and that can either be really easy or really hard for them depending on what modifications were done.

The most logical place for you to start is to contact Subaru Canada and confirm the vehicle has in fact been flagged for modification and then request information on the alleged modifications.

Would not the question be how was the modification found by a dealer and did the last owner misrepresent the car as always stock.
Could it have been modified then returned to stock. Could it been to a dealer as modified and so noted by the dealer in the Subaru files so that it could not be taken to a different dealer for repairs that would have been disallowed .

I would like to say more, but due to on going investigation I want to protect my friend and the dealer and previous owner, but all valid points, thanks.

As a side note, any good sources for used engines?

Are you planning to modify the new engine or run it stock?
Used engines are available from wrecking yards with some kind of working warranty.
If you are planning on modifying then a "built engine" is a better choice at this point.
Or you could try "remanufactured, rebuilt and used engines" on line.

It is illegal for them to say his warranty is void.
They can deny his claim, citing whatever modifications cause whatever failure, and they had better be ready to prove it, but they cannot render his warrant void.

The good part is that at least you are in Canada and have an excellent system to dispute denied warranty!


http://www.camvap.ca/

Wasn't even aware of this, great information!

Most people aren't and the dealer sure isn't going to tell you. Have had 3 people I know go through it and all won their case