Im not looking to open a can of worms here but i wondered if some of you more legal minded bods would give me your view on Block exemption? To give you some background: 'Dealer A' has a Ducati Motorbike i may wish to purchase, unfortunately its actually due the 1st yearly service although they've offered to carry it out FOC before i take it. However as they're not a registered Ducati dealer, but they are a specialist dealer of other Italian brands, Im concerned that the Ducati warranty wouldn't be covered, or indeed any further goodwill additional cover given after the warranty lapses IF they perform this 1st yearly service. 'Dealer A' assures me that they're more than competent to carry out the service as they have done many times in the past. They're fully trained and accredited for the other Italian brand and so not without experience. They also use all genuine parts sourced from a Ducati dealer in the UK and follow the service schedule/procedure to the letter. They then went on to assure me further by citing Block exemption laws which apparently cover consumers on things such as this. Block Exemption Regulation - Wikipedia So is what I'm being told correct? Of course after this first service I'd just take the bike to my preferred Ducati service agent just north of Nottingham (CS) It just that I've always been given the impression that warranty could be voided if not done via a Ducati dealer, although having read some stuff online regarding Block exemption it would seem its technically not a requirement
as far as i am aware, as long as the workshop is vat registered, and any servicing is carried in accordance to the manufacturers service schedule your covered. 99.99% sure the don't need to use genuine parts.
I seem to recall that bikes are cars are treated differently, and a warranty can be affected by work carried out outside of the approved network. Not certain, hpbut sure I have read that somewhere in my deep dark past of working with vehicle manufacturers around the time of BE rules being implemented.
Block exemption doesn't cover motorcycles, only cars. Quote the post Bradders has put up with the dealer, ask CS the cost of the service and get them to knock it off the price.
Not yet, i guess i could email Tim as I'm sure I've seen his email on here somewhere. Hopefully somebody can dig it out for me. I have however now spoken to two different Ducati service types, both of which are saying that whilst its not always the case Ducati ask for documented proof of servicing, and who did what, the fact is they can and are more likely too the bigger the claim. Which lets face it, thats when you want cover isn't it? If they then see that its not been done in accordance with schedule, or at least by a non Ducati dealer, the warranty could be voided. It does sound harsh and to be fair almost makes a buying a 2nd hand Ducati extremely hard unless its from a Ducati dealer. I mean why would any other dealer than a Ducati one take a PX of a fairly new Ducati? Of course, unless they built in to the price they'd need to send it out for the service before handover. I think i'll still keep digging though as it'd be nice to hear it from Ducati themselves @Tim Maccabee If you're reading this would you pm me please
Sounds like unless you have something in writing from Ducati UK (or Italy) you'll always have nagging doubts in the back of your head.
The service book specifically says the warranty will be voided if servicing is not done by a Ducati approved service agent.
watched a wachdog type prog a few years back where they phoned 70odd car dealerships about aftermarket servicing, only one dealership reported honestly a volvo dealership if i mind right. funny that.
Well I've emailed the supplying dealer back with my findings, not to catch him out, or prove a point. Simply just to put everyone in the picture as to where we are.
It is the same for all bike manf tho, not just Ducati. It's just that some may be happier to accept a claim when it's been serviced outside. It's why non-factory supported specialists do so well: much easier to get a claim sorted than a back street garage.
