Servicing approach at my local dealer (Northampton)

[Oliver Brookshaw]

I discovered that the switch in the front passenger door for its window would not work, although the driver could still raise and lower it.
I raised the problem when I took the car in for a service by my local dealer who worked out (quite easy really when you started looking under the bonnet) what the problem was. It turned out that some mice had got in under the bonnet and chewed through some wiring. Given that I take the car out almost every day, I am amazed that any mice who set up home there survived very long. Anyway I left having agreed a date to bring it back for them to fix it. I then got the following email:

Good afternoon Mr Brookshaw,
I hope you are keeping well.
Since our last visit, I have been investigating your incident with the passenger door wiring being chewed through. After communication with INEOS and our parts department they have advised it would need a full body wiring loom which is charged from INEOS at an estimated price of £10,500 plus VAT. If we were to fit, I am being advised this could be 2-3 days' work at £170 per hour.
The team has advised that if you were to proceed ahead, I would need to take a payment upfront for the loom.

That is one of those John McEnroe: "you cannot be serious moments". Unfortunately they are. Good to know that Ineos care about their customers. About 3 years ago my wife had a virtually identical issue with her VW Golf estate. The local VW dealer did the repair for about (from memory) £1,200 total and their dealers do not exactly undercharge for their work.

I'm now looking for a cheaper alternative - if anyone has any ideas, they would be welcome.

 

[Rockpool]

Just splice a repair section into the chewed loom - each wire is color-coded, it's not like you can go wrong. Take your time and do one at a time - shrink wrap your repairs, remove the battery beforehand, obviously.

I'm not surprised Ineos and the dealer want to replace the loom - replacing the damaged part is the appropriate response and carries the least liability, and this is not a manufacturing defect - you're free to try to repair it though obviously.

 

[landmannnn]

I discovered that the switch in the front passenger door for its window would not work, although the driver could still raise and lower it.
I raised the problem when I took the car in for a service by my local dealer who worked out (quite easy really when you started looking under the bonnet) what the problem was. It turned out that some mice had got in under the bonnet and chewed through some wiring. Given that I take the car out almost every day, I am amazed that any mice who set up home there survived very long. Anyway I left having agreed a date to bring it back for them to fix it. I then got the following email:

Good afternoon Mr Brookshaw,
I hope you are keeping well.
Since our last visit, I have been investigating your incident with the passenger door wiring being chewed through. After communication with INEOS and our parts department they have advised it would need a full body wiring loom which is charged from INEOS at an estimated price of £10,500 plus VAT. If we were to fit, I am being advised this could be 2-3 days' work at £170 per hour.
The team has advised that if you were to proceed ahead, I would need to take a payment upfront for the loom.

That is one of those John McEnroe: "you cannot be serious moments". Unfortunately they are. Good to know that Ineos care about their customers. About 3 years ago my wife had a virtually identical issue with her VW Golf estate. The local VW dealer did the repair for about (from memory) £1,200 total and their dealers do not exactly undercharge for their work.

I'm now looking for a cheaper alternative - if anyone has any ideas, they would be welcome.

You have 2 realistic options...

Contact a local auto electrician and get a quote to replace the damaged sections and finish it off neatly.

Contact your insurance company, rodent damage is covered
Depending on the damage they may pay for the repair or a new loom.