Boiler manufacturer states must have annual service

[Biggles..]

No need for the flaming folks, it is not helpful. I will happily pay to get my boiler serviced every year once it is out of warranty. I just expect it to not need servicing during the first two years of it's life - possibly longer.

Worcester Bosch- the dumb consumers choice

 

[D_Hailsham]

I would expect a manufacturer to guarantee a product free of defects for a certain period of time.

The purpose of a service is not to correct defects but to ensure that the boiler continues to work correctly. This could mean cleaning the heat exchanger, checking and adjusting the combustion. Read the Installation Manual - it will tell you what has to be done at a service.

It's no different from a car warranty where you must have the cars serviced regularly to maintain the 1/3/5/7 year warranty.

In any case, a modern modulating, condensing, combi boiler is a lot more complicated than the cast iron boilers from 25 years ago. It has an expensive PCB for a start.

 

[Dean744PiN5]

some reasons why a boiler needs servicing

build up of carbon deposits and oxides in the heat exchanger need cleaning (this is a by product of combustion and is unavoidable)

oxides can block up condensate traps if not cleaned on a service (which will cause the boiler to lockout).

carbon deposits can form a barrier on ignition electrodes that will prevent the boiler from igniting gas.


all of these things are a by-product of combustion and unavoidable, if you can invent a boiler that isn't affected by the natural by-product of combustion and the extreme heats the combustion chamber are subjected too you will be a very rich man!

Most people do not respect the amount of stress a boiler is under every time it fires up, it does this almost every day of the year for years on end.

 

[mr-crs]

I think we are all missing the point here, this is a case of consumer law in the first 12 months after purchase you are covered by statutory law anything beyond that is deemed a gift from the manufacturer and as such they can attach conditions as they see fit. Regardless of your feelings toward the service you must comply with the manufacurers conditions or they are within their rights to refuse repair etc, if you Google consumer law there's lots of information available.

 

[Tibbot]

Consumer law has nothing to do with manufacturer's warranty because the consumer doesn't buy anything from them.

 

[Dan Robinson]

ssssshhhhh

 

[jeff the gasman]

1 large cooking pan
A little water
1 x 2kw cooker ring.
Now simply go boil your head!
Jeff

 

[PotatoHead]

Consumer law has nothing to do with manufacturer's warranty because the consumer doesn't buy anything from them.

I would argue it does. After the first year it's the responsibility of the manufacturer to sort warranty issues, not the seller. In reality this happens from day one. There's no such thing as a warranty expiring after 12 months, the sale of goods act means it must last a reasonable time. Where it's unclear is what is a reasonable life expectancy for boilers and the parts inside, and how a yearly service (or lack of) effects this. I'm guessing it voids any reasonable life expectancy from the moment the annual service is missed.

On the other hand the annual service will never prevent a divertor, gas valve, etc that is going to fail within the warranty. Should certain parts be included regardless?

Either way the analogy with a car is similar, if it's not serviced manufacturers void the warranty. I'd also say boiler manufacturers are much more willing to replace parts than car ones are. Pretty much anyone I speak to who bought a car with warranty has struggled to get parts replaced.

 

[Dean744PiN5]

i looked into that 6 year thing but if after the 12 month period a fault arises the onus is on the consumer to prove that the manufacturer is at fault and not through excessive use and general wear and tear.

 

[gas112]

You will find that servicing is that important that every RGI who has answered on here services their own boiler religiously without fail every twelve months to the day and would never dream of leaving it several years without doing so or just waiting till it breaks down .
Is that not right guys

 

[Dan Robinson]

Probably do mine two or three times a year.


Even send my step mum a reminder for their open flued oil boiler. Largely because my old man forgets and used to wait for the local bird population to start dying if they flew over the house


Point is that it is a requirement of the warranty and there's nothing wrong with it. Especially as the manufacturers don't even have to do it themselves. Ffs.

 

[Tibbot]

I would argue it does. After the first year it's the responsibility of the manufacturer to sort warranty issues, not the seller. In reality this happens from day one. There's no such thing as a warranty expiring after 12 months, the sale of goods act means it must last a reasonable time. .

Then you argue wrong.

For faulty goods, consumer protection under the Sale of Goods Act is with the seller, not the manufacturer. The guarantee is a separate contract between maker and consumer. Manufacturers need to abide by the length and terms they've offered therein.

Issues that may arise beyond the warranty that are covered by the Sale of Goods Act are again argued with the seller. Manufacturers have responsibilities for other product liabilities such as damage, injury etc.

 

[vulcancontinental]

reg091: I argue that the first service is very important. No matter what is checked when the boiler is leaving the factory, an occasional manufacturing defect can and will occur (Intergas excepted). Find them first year and there's no quibble as long as the service includes taking the case off and actually looking into the fr*gg*n thing rather than just sticking a flue gas analyzer up its flue.

The importance of the new boiler owner is the same as with a car; you can missuse a car and you can get the boiler put in badly by choosing a poor installer on price rather than quality.

I believe the EU minimum req for objects such as a boiler is actually 2 years.

If you don't want to pay for a service don't get one.

You paid a premium price for an ok boiler, Worcester will probably honour the warranty anyway as their reputation depends on it and these situations are factored into the price.

 

[Bunnyman]

Who fitted it? Was it registered? I doubt it... 5 year warranty on bosch as long as serviced

 

[FiremanT]

I would argue it does. After the first year it's the responsibility of the manufacturer to sort warranty issues, not the seller. In reality this happens from day one. There's no such thing as a warranty expiring after 12 months, the sale of goods act means it must last a reasonable time. .

Then you argue wrong.

For faulty goods, consumer protection under the Sale of Goods Act is with the seller, not the manufacturer. The guarantee is a separate contract between maker and consumer. Manufacturers need to abide by the length and terms they've offered therein.

Issues that may arise beyond the warranty that are covered by the Sale of Goods Act are again argued with the seller. Manufacturers have responsibilities for other product liabilities such as damage, injury etc.

Spot on Tibbo, it is amazing that after so much publicity on this that most folk, consumers and traders alike, are confused. Probably a very good reason for any sole trader, retailing products, to go Ltd.

the 6 year rule is also a source of confusion. it is not a "guarantee", the consumer has to prove a manufacturing defect after (IIRC 6 months). Of course,manufacturers offer better terms, but they will have conditions.

one of which may be a regular service of appliances naturally an fairly subject to deterioration of components through use......................