Does changing wheels void the warranty.

garytoddJSY72 · Jul 5, 2023

So just taken my 2022 Cali Beach in for its first Service. Its had a clicking noise from the driver's front corner since a few months into ownership (and before the new wheels).
The garage (VW Dealership called Motor Mall) here in Jersey refuses to look at it and suggests I've modified the vehicle and voided the warranty.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly received.

Thank you

DevillBelgium · Jul 5, 2023

garytoddJSY72 said:
So just taken my 2022 Cali Beach in for its first Service. Its had a clicking noise from the driver's front corner since a few months into ownership (and before the new wheels).
The garage (VW Dealership called Motor Mall) here in Jersey refuses to look at it and suggests I've modified the vehicle and voided the warranty.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly received.

Thank you

Souds maybe rude, but ever got that same remark when you replaced your factory standaard wheels by some nice other alloy ones?

The Tall Luthier · Jul 5, 2023

Sounds dodgy to me. If you had put on massive steel rims then I could understand that the unsprung weight of the van would have changed and could possibly alter the physics. But just different alloys no, they’re trying it on.

Could you ring a garage in England and get a second opinion?

Kayleigh · Jul 5, 2023

You didn’t put some of the these on did you?

Tyre inflation pumps - what do you use?

Yep - another happy user of this one. +1 for this one. Reliable and easy to use.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

DevillBelgium · Jul 5, 2023

What did you change to get that answer from te dealer? Suspions mods an bigger rims?
Maybe a photo of what they say is wrong?

andyinluton · Jul 5, 2023

garytoddJSY72 said:
So just taken my 2022 Cali Beach in for its first Service. Its had a clicking noise from the driver's front corner since a few months into ownership (and before the new wheels).
The garage (VW Dealership called Motor Mall) here in Jersey refuses to look at it and suggests I've modified the vehicle and voided the warranty.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly received.

Thank you

Looking at your previous posts , you've fitted swamper wheels with oversized 235/65/17 tyres, I can see why a garage may be playing up.

How about putting the factory wheels back on & trying again?

Ozzy Pete · Jul 5, 2023

garytoddJSY72 said:
So just taken my 2022 Cali Beach in for its first Service. Its had a clicking noise from the driver's front corner since a few months into ownership (and before the new wheels).
The garage (VW Dealership called Motor Mall) here in Jersey refuses to look at it and suggests I've modified the vehicle and voided the warranty.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly received.

Thank you

Where did you buy the wheels? Are they VW wheels or compatible.

Ozzy Pete · Jul 5, 2023

I think the main census of opinion is no it doesn’t void your warranty, Unless the modification has caused a problem and this wouldn’t be a warranty claim.
Many people change their wheels or have 2 sets of wheels (Summer & winter). I have 2 sets of wheels.
So according to this dealership if there was a problem with your battery or awning they wouldn’t be covered under warranty.

dspuk · Jul 5, 2023

Technically (I used to work for factory warranty) a warranty claim can only be refused if it was shown the modification or "non OEM work" carried out caused the issue. If it is not related then through block exemption laws they cannot refuse warranty work.

Given this seems linked (clicking and modified wheels) I can understand their stance. If they look at it and do a diagnostic and find it is linked to the new wheels then VW will not reimburse them for that pre-work and your warranty will be void for that specific area.

As Andy says, if you have the old wheels refit them?

garytoddJSY72 · Jul 6, 2023

Ozzy Pete said:
Where did you buy the wheels? Are they VW wheels or compatible.

VW T5 upgrades, reputable dealer and fully compatible with the van. not arch rubbing etc

Ozzy Pete · Jul 6, 2023

garytoddJSY72 said:
VW T5 upgrades, reputable dealer and fully compatible with the van. not arch rubbing etc

Does that mean they are VW manufactured. It doesn’t seen they would be or there wouldn’t be the refusal by the dealer for warranty work. Are they an odd size or 20” wheels.

andyinluton · Jul 6, 2023

Ozzy Pete said:
Does that mean they are VW manufactured. It doesn’t seen they would be or there wouldn’t be the refusal by the dealer for warranty work. Are they an odd size or 20” wheels.

Theres a picture in post 6 that shows what he says he fitted in a different thread.

v-tec · Jul 7, 2023

So, If they can prove your new wheels (By the way they look cool) are the cause of your complaint you pay for diagnosing , But you do state the noise was apparent before, They can’t refuse to investigate (They have a duty of care) I’m a master tech in a well know German franchise and many of our cars have modified wheel/tyre combos, If they come in for warranty work we bend over backwards to help our customers and if warranty can pay while under the guarantee period it’s happy days, You could remind them that if people like your self didn’t buy these vehicles they wouldn’t have a job, No wonder my trade gets slated, Good luck,