Drivers being warned about important warranty issue for cars not being used enough
A Burlington, Ont. man says he was shocked when his new SUV battery failed and wasn’t covered under warranty because his dealership told him he wasn’t driving enough.
Stephen Copperthwaite had to buy a new battery for his 2012 Mercedes ML350 in January 2021, which cost him about $360 for the battery and $150 to install.
Like a lot of people he stayed home often during the pandemic to self isolate and didn't drive a lot. Nine months later his new battery died.
“We were under COVID so we stayed at home quite a bit, but in September I went to Wonderland with my family and the next day it wouldn't start," Copperthwaite said.
He took his SUV to a Mercedes Benz dealership and the battery was charged, but a month later it died again, this time for good.
Copperthwaite was told he needed a new battery, but he said the one he had was only 10 months old and had come with a five year warranty.
That’s when he was told he was not eligible for a replacement because he voided the warranty by not driving enough.
“I was shocked. They said I needed to drive a minimum of 300 kilometers a month," Copperthwaite said.
The owner’s manual for his vehicle said, “If you use the vehicle less than 300 kilometers per month … or if it is not used for more than three weeks at a time, it is your responsibility to have the battery charge checked and corrected.”
Since he didn't do that Mercedes Benz said he would have to pay for a replacement battery and on his billing invoice it indicated "the vehicle does not travel the required minimum of 300 kilometers a month to properly maintain the battery."
Copperthwaite submitted a warranty claim anyway, which was denied.
“They showed me that they submitted the claim and Mercedes Benz denied it like it was instant rejection," Copperthwaite said.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Mercedes Benz Canada, but a spokesperson said they had no comment on the battery issue.
Copperthwaite says other car companies could have similar battery warranty policies and the public should be aware they may have to drive their vehicle so many kilometers a month or it could void their warranty.
“I'm not looking for reimbursement, it's more telling the public, you need to watch out for this," Copperthwaite said.
Vehicles have gotten more complex and some batteries have also received a high tech upgrade. AGM or "absorbed glass mat" batteries can operate stop-start technology, safety and convenience features, but they also cost more.
If you have a newer car or you've recently purchased a battery, you may want to check your warranty and if your car is not being driven often during the pandemic you may want to take it for the occasional spin or put the battery on a trickle charger.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.