Legal time limit for Ford to provide spare parts after car's release

[FPV_Steve]

Hi All,

I want to purchase/order a new set of F6 R-Spec floor mats and due to their rarity, I have a feeling there won't be any lying around in storage.

So is there a time limit (eg: 7 years) that Ford are obligated to provide the spare part you request before they can say no? Just want to know so that I can argue my case if need be.

Stephen

[Nikked]

Things like floor mats are not a spare part, they are an accessory, so they do not come under any regulations or obligation to provide them.

[XR6TCraig]

Im interested in the answer to this.
I was after a door handle off an internal door trim for my 07 BF. I was told that the door handle was not a spare part, but that I would have to purchase the whole door trim, which was no longer available either, so had to source one second hand from a wreckers.
Do car makers have a legal obligation to keep spare parts, panels, trim molds, etc, for a set time?

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by XR6TCraig

Im interested in the answer to this.
I was after a door handle off an internal door trim for my 07 BF. I was told that the door handle was not a spare part, but that I would have to purchase the whole door trim, which was no longer available either, so had to source one second hand from a wreckers.
Do car makers have a legal obligation to keep spare parts, panels, trim molds, etc, for a set time?

Depends on the part, the usual is 10 years, but the more commonly used parts often have the longest life. A lot of panels, lights, bumpers etc are often replaced by (now) quality aftermarket items. The problems is, you simply cannot economically (nor practically) produce and store every little part of generations of cars.


There is currently problems with VE's (most likely due to the change over), panels are hard to get. There was a huge wait on tailgates and bonnets and guards. Mind you, Australian manufactured cars are fairly well catered, if you own a Chrysler product, its hell...same with some euro stuff.


Probably the best manufacturer for spare parts and accessories is Toyota (little wonder why they are popular).

[FPV_Steve]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Things like floor mats are not a spare part, they are an accessory, so they do not come under any regulations or obligation to provide them.

Thanks for that!! I can understand that the floor mats aren't a required part to run the car, but they are still a "part" of the car, so should fall under the spare parts umbrella. So Ford are getting away with a technicality

I'll still try my luck but don't like my chances :(

[FGII-XR6]

any statutory period is for the parts that were on the car when built not something sold and / or fitted after manufacture . they are not spare parts the are accessories . they are not a part of the car as you seen to think thay are something you buy and chuck on the floor

Originally Posted by FPV_Steve

Thanks for that!! I can understand that the floor mats aren't a required part to run the car, but they are still a "part" of the car, so should fall under the spare parts umbrella. So Ford are getting away with a technicality

I'll still try my luck but don't like my chances :(

[pottery beige]

i will use offcuts from bodgy carpet joint for floor mats

[FPV_Steve]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

any statutory period is for the parts that were on the car when built not something sold and / or fitted after manufacture . they are not spare parts the are accessories . they are not a part of the car as you seen to think thay are something you buy and chuck on the floor

Like I mentioned before, I thought I would have trouble with this request due to the uniqueness of the item. But I shall try anyway

Originally Posted by pottery beige

i will use offcuts from bodgy carpet joint for floor mats

I think I will have to resort to that. Just some offcuts glued together with a big F6 logo spray painted on by yours truly the car would triple in value with such rare floor mats

[Itsme]

Generally the 10 year rule applies to panels & mechanical parts only, no ruling for accessories so don't hold your breath in that area.
I had to go after market for a Remote Fob for a 2000 model KN laser when the car was seven years old.

I think it depends on demand for accessories availability.

[happy1]

Another way of saying they don't want your business is Ford's parts pricing.
Last week I discovered my BA ute is leaking clutch fluid. I called my local Ford dealer for a quote. Half an hour later they called me back with the quote..
Clutch including installation: Only $5700,- including new flywheel. (This is a basic 5-speed non turbo BA ute). The service manager apologized on behalf of Ford's prices, and told me that unfortunately Ford doesn't have part number for a clutch kit, so this was based on pricing the job with individual clutch parts, and included a new flywheel too. Labor of approx. 5 hours included in the 5700.

I checked a few clutch & brake specialist shops, they would do the same job for approx. $1000, with premium parts. Of course they do not supply a new flywheel ($500) but instead machine the old one ($60) as part of their quote.

Maybe Ford could have got some profitable business at their workshop if they had priced their kit at less than $2000, but when the repair at Ford cost approx. 6 times then I'm horrified and I think this will also scare me away from most service jobs there in the future.

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by happy1

Another way of saying they don't want your business is Ford's parts pricing.
Last week I discovered my BA ute is leaking clutch fluid. I called my local Ford dealer for a quote. Half an hour later they called me back with the quote..
Clutch including installation: Only $5700,- including new flywheel. (This is a basic 5-speed non turbo BA ute). The service manager apologized on behalf of Ford's prices, and told me that unfortunately Ford doesn't have part number for a clutch kit, so this was based on pricing the job with individual clutch parts, and included a new flywheel too. Labor of approx. 5 hours included in the 5700.

I checked a few clutch & brake specialist shops, they would do the same job for approx. $1000, with premium parts. Of course they do not supply a new flywheel ($500) but instead machine the old one ($60) as part of their quote.

Maybe Ford could have got some profitable business at their workshop if they had priced their kit at less than $2000, but when the repair at Ford cost approx. 6 times then I'm horrified and I think this will also scare me away from most service jobs there in the future.

Some of Ford's pricing for parts makes me wince cos I'm afraid to get yelled at by customers.

[joolz]

OE is 10 years.

[Elks]

It may have changed as it's been a while since I worked in parts. But legal requirement for carrying parts was 7 years for mechanical and panel, 3 years trim, accessories nil.

Anything longer is purely on a commercial basis. Ie, It's selling or there will be significant customer backlash.

[jpd80]

I wouldn't rely too heavily on legal requirements, I think that's only for Fast moving parts like engine and power trains,
You might still be able to get guards, bonnet and boot lids after six years but maybe the the wrecker will be your friend.

In the future, someone like rare spares may begin providing some hard to get B and F Series GT and XR parts .

[GQ_Smooth]

There is no legal set time limit for anything. The law states sellers must provide spare parts for a "reasonable time period" that reasonable period is open to debate but for critical components is normally proven to be 7-8 years. Anything past this the seller must offer the end user a reasonable solution to their problem. Eg door handles aren't available but you can buy a door handle assembly. It's relatively murky and in some cases for a civil judge to decide. The more critical the part the longer the seller is obliged to offer the end user a solution to their problem. This solution can take many forms ( including but not always a partial refund).


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[Express]

Originally Posted by GQ_Smooth

There is no legal set time limit for anything. The law states sellers must provide spare parts for a "reasonable time period" that reasonable period is open to debate but for critical components is normally proven to be 7-8 years. Anything past this the seller must offer the end user a reasonable solution to their problem. Eg door handles aren't available but you can buy a door handle assembly. It's relatively murky and in some cases for a civil judge to decide. The more critical the part the longer the seller is obliged to offer the end user a solution to their problem. This solution can take many forms ( including but not always a partial refund).

This info given by GQ-Smooth is correct and is the same for all types of product sold in Australia. The 7 to 10 year thingy is a fallacy and is often only used as a guide to protect the company itself.

Spare part availability is based on what the consumer can expect as a reasonable timeframe and of cause one person’s idea of a reasonable timeframe may not be that of another.

Also cost of the initial product plays are part, as does the reasonable life expectancy of the product in relation to its initial cost and what the product is used for and in this case where the floor mat can be replaced with a no-name brand and not affect the product performance, you have no leg to stand on.

You can fight it but the cost to do so would be similar to buying a new house and you’d lose.

Check out the ACCC website for info.


.

[FPV_Steve]

Just got back from the Bayford Campbellfield Parts Warehouse and they don't have any F6 R-Spec floor mats in stock (as expected) but they can be ordered in whenever I want, for a small fee of $350

[Express]

Originally Posted by FPV_Steve

Just got back from the Bayford Campbellfield Parts Warehouse and they don't have any F6 R-Spec floor mats in stock (as expected) but they can be ordered in whenever I want, for a small fee of $350

Can a trimmer emboss one to look the same for cheaper?


.

[FPV_Steve]

Originally Posted by Express

Can a trimmer emboss one to look the same for cheaper?.

Haven't looked into any other options just yet, but now that I've got a quote and know what I'm up for, I will have a look at what else is available.

[StrikeTwiceXR6]

Originally Posted by FPV_Steve

Just got back from the Bayford Campbellfield Parts Warehouse and they don't have any F6 R-Spec floor mats in stock (as expected) but they can be ordered in whenever I want, for a small fee of $350

Roll out the red carpet!!!!!! Where are they digging the carpet up from, The Titanic

I did some digging around in the archive of my brain and had a thought, try American Autos/Rare Spares, Steve. Good luck with it mate, don't hand Ford $350 for carpet

[Dave3911]

Info on the legal requirements is in this handbook
http://www.consumerlaw.gov.au/conten...tees_guide.pdf

Page 17. Is exactly as GQ_Smooth states. "Reasonable time", even has a section titled "how much time is reasonable?'? All pretty straight forward and as stated the 7/10 year thing is an old wives tale.

[2011G6E]

You can't expect them to keep some parts in stock...door trims being one I suppose. Think of all the different color combinations that there would be, and how many they would have to keep just lying around on the off chance that someone wanted one?

Toyota: yes indeed, they do have their crap together when it comes to spare parts. I was rebuilding the diff (new center bearings) in our 1982 Celica, and when I pulled the two piece drive shaft with a center bearing (no idea why it's needed...the whole driveshaft is only a bit over four feet long...apparently most people chuck it and put in a fabricated one piece ) and the center bearing was pretty tight. I thought it was best to replace it, and rang a few places. Nope. Nope. Laughter and a nope. Finally, I decided to ring Toyota just on the off chance, and yes, they could get one within a few days, $150 for the whole assembly. They had an entire section on the parts computer about Celicas, and I ordered a few other smaller bits and pieces of trim. Amazing.

[data_mine]

Don't know if there Rpsec ones are any different, but I get a set for my BF GT-P earlier this year. available, but f'n expensive. I then took them to a trimmer to add a heel pad so I won't wear through them again.

[FPV_Steve]

Originally Posted by data_mine

Don't know if there Rpsec ones are any different, but I get a set for my BF GT-P earlier this year. available, but f'n expensive. I then took them to a trimmer to add a heel pad so I won't wear through them again.

Here is a pic of the F6 R-Spec floor mats. The standard F6/Force 6 mats were $220 I think, so a nice little premium has been added on by Ford

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by FPV_Steve

Here is a pic of the F6 R-Spec floor mats.

Pity the mat colour doesn't match the carpet. Anyway, have you tried here..........

http://www.matcraft.com.au/viewStory...r+Mats+Gallery

[fte50]

Time frame has no bearing - the legal criteria for spares is determined by the numbers of models produced, how old they are versus inventory stock as a simple example.
At some point prior to 2016, employees will see Ford Australia begin what is known as "All time build", given they are ceasing manufacturing they are legally obligated to fill the parts/support void as per the above.
Things like X series, E series , AU series parts might start rolling again to maintain their legal quota. This All time build only has a bearing on what items Ford Australia manufacture directly and not its suppliers.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by fte50

Time frame has no bearing - the legal criteria for spares is determined by the numbers of models produced, how old they are versus inventory stock as a simple example.
At some point prior to 2016, employees will see Ford Australia begin what is known as "All time build", given they are ceasing manufacturing they are legally obligated to fill the parts/support void as per the above.
Things like X series, E series , AU series parts might start rolling again to maintain their legal quota. This All time build only has a bearing on what items Ford Australia manufacture directly and not its suppliers.

I very much doubt that Ford has any stamping and tooling left for models before FG SZ.
They certainly won't be making or supplying older engines and gearboxes, differentials ect..

[fte50]

What you 'doubt' and what they 'must' do are 2 very different things.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by fte50

What you 'doubt' and what they 'must' do are 2 very different things.

And as you said, it's based on demand and remaining fleet size, something that has receded greatly in the last few years.
The spares required wil not be as much or as comprehensive as some think, by 2016 there will hardly be any AUs left on the road
and BA-BF will be the oldest most common Falcon on the road. The main emphasis will be on F series.
And then there's spare parts for Territory which sells in much higher numbers, something often missed in discussions of Falcon production.

With low future volumes, a bit of inventory parts stamping will help keep Geelong workers employed over the next few years..

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by jpd80

by 2016 there will hardly be any AUs left on the road
and BA-BF will be the oldest most common Falcon on the road.