Tips for visiting the workshop (Focus Turnier 1)

Technical inspection and warranty

During a technical inspection, the condition and functioning of the units that are important for the reliability and safety of your car are checked first. If necessary, worn parts are replaced.

Already after 20,000 km of driving, under poor conditions, noticeable wear can appear in the brake system, wheel suspension, tires and steering, which remains unnoticed by the driver. Therefore, regular maintenance not only keeps your car in working order, but above all serves your own safety.

Ford recommends that you have your Focus checked for reliability every 15,000 km (9,000 miles) and have your oil changed at the same time. You should take your Focus for a checkup after 45,000 km (28,000 miles).

Those who drive lightly should still plan to change their oil annually.

If you drive a new Focus or have recently had an engine replacement, be sure to stick to the prescribed service intervals and avoid doing any work yourself. Ford will only honour warrantable warranty claims if the service work is carried out by a contracted workshop

Your Focus cannot do without a workshop completely - for example, during regular maintenance. At least in cases where the warranty period for a new or used car has not yet expired. Your Focus, as a new car, is covered by a general automobile warranty for 1 year without mileage limitation. The warranty against perforation corrosion of the body is given by Ford for 12 years.



After the new car warranty expires, a second year of coverage - up to a maximum of 50,000 km - provides assistance for damage to all major components. From the second to the fourth year, the obligation is valid up to a maximum of 100,000 km. For the first twelve months of your Focus's life, Ford provides a mobility guarantee within the framework of the service, including a customer service hotline, towing service, hotel and car rental.

After that, the promise of mobility within Ford service centers applies.

Don't forget to formulate your order in the workshop precisely

If you do not have time to work yourself, lack experience or expensive special tools, you will not be able to do without a workshop. In order to avoid possible troubles, the next time you visit a workshop, take into account the rules of the game and the advice given in the following review.

Contract workshop and independent workshop

You can choose which workshop to take your Focus to. In addition to contract workshops, independent workshops are also a good option. Most types of repairs are carried out there just as competently. Oil changes, installation of new brake pads, brake discs, tires and bumpers are often even cheaper there. Make sure that in any case the workshop is a model enterprise and belongs to a guild of car specialists.

A Focus under warranty must always be delivered to a workshop operating under a contract. This also applies to technical inspections and most types of unit repairs. However, despite the warranty, simple damage to the body or paintwork can be repaired by yourself or at an independent workshop. If problems later arise with the repaired surface area, then you lose the right to the factory warranty.

Repair orders must be made in writing only

Make a list of symptoms and defects you have noticed in the car. Go over this list point by point in the workshop with the mechanic or his representative. Ask questions if you are unclear about anything. Demonstrate the defects directly on the car.

Formulate repair orders precisely: with general orders, such as "prepare for inspection in T(jV" or "do it for vacation", contradictions are simply programmed. For example, when you have to pay for work that, in your opinion, was not necessary.

Always place repair orders in writing. The order should outline the work to be performed as precisely as possible. Have the workshop issue you with a confirmation of receipt of the order.

To avoid being speechless, find out the cost of repairs in advance

Find out the estimated cost of labor and materials before ordering a repair. Set a cost limit for any additional work that may be needed. If the scope of the repair and the cost are not precisely determined in advance, you should give the shop your own cost limit for the repair.

Find out the estimated cost of diagnostics. For example, if your car uses too much gas, or the engine starts poorly, if the engine runs intermittently, or you hear strange rustling sounds in the wheels, then diagnostics of faults are sometimes more expensive than the repair itself. Therefore, also set a price limit for diagnostics of faults.

Leave your phone number at the workshop so that they can ask you questions. A call may be made if the repair turns out to be more extensive or expensive than agreed upon. Also record additional agreements in writing.



For extensive repairs, ask the shop to provide you with a written estimate of costs, which will show you what expenses you should expect. As a rule, a reputable shop will only provide an estimate when you subsequently order the shop for repairs. The shop's invoice for unforeseen work should exceed the estimate by a maximum of 15-20%.

Up to 30% cheaper - special parts - service offers

If your Focus is already old, it is worth asking about special offers on parts sales and service. Workshops, and not only those working under a contract with Ford, often offer service packages that include original parts at a reduced price, in which case you can easily save up to 30%. Ask your seller, for example, about promotions for dismantling cars.

If you need to replace the entire unit, the first choice should not be a new part. Find out where there are prepared and certified parts for exchange. They are cheaper with comparable quality. Units intended for exchange are the engine, fuel injection system, gearbox, clutch, generator, starter and water pump.

Changing the oil at a workshop or petrol station is expensive, as they will fill you with the most expensive oil on the list. Ask about cheaper grades of oil with the same specification - as a rule, the Focus will run just as well on them.

Checking the invoice with the workshop foreman

After the repair, review your shop's invoice with the repairman or customer service consultant. Have any abbreviations or terms explained to you.

The invoice must separately list such items as payment for work, materials and value added tax. You can file a complaint regarding errors in the invoice within six weeks of its issuance.

Timely complaint about poor quality repairs

You should file a complaint about poor quality repairs as soon as possible. The workshop must be responsible for its work for six months (warranty). If damage occurs to your car as a result of unprofessional repairs, you can demand compensation from the workshop.

If you notice the first defects immediately upon receiving the car, the workshop may, despite this, issue an invoice for the repair in full. In this case, note on the invoice that your payment is made only with a reservation and on demand.

The complaint must be presented in a businesslike conversation with the mechanic. If the disagreement cannot be resolved on the spot, the free arbitration of the guild of automobile specialists will help - provided that your workshop is a member of the guild. You can obtain the arbitration addresses, for example, from your automobile club or from ZDK eV, Franz-Lohe-Str. 21, 53129 Bonn.

(This article is a copy from the website fordbook.ru)