AT YOUR SERVICE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Feb 10, 2008 | by QUENTIN WILLSON

COLIN Best from Leicestershire noticed a malfunction in the instrument panel of his 53-reg Ford Focus Zetec. An independent garage said he needed a new instrument cluster at pounds 368. It was also necessary to reset his Focus' mileage of 23,447 to 0. Even though the garage used an original part, Colin has been told by Ford that they cannot offer financial assistance, because his Focus was out of warranty and the repair was carried out at an independent garage.

QUENTIN SAYS: You can't chase Ford for a refund if the job's not been done by a Ford dealer, even if a genuine Ford part was used. It's not reasonable to expect Ford to cover work done outside the dealer network and they are within their rights to refuse to help. If you're going to claim against a car-maker, make sure the car- maker does the work.