Hi,
On Tuesday evening while I was driving along a wheel trim of another hit the front of my MX-5 ND. Usually the only concern I would have would be around damage to the front paintwork (which there was but only a small scratch) but on this occasion it activated the ‘active bonnet’ feature on my car. Obviously this was a massive surprise to me which then developed into a great concern.
Upon contacting Mazda Assistance, they informed me that the system is a one time use and has to be recovered to a dealership for it to be reset. This was much to my frustration as it was 6.45pm and the dealership was closed so it was taken into storage overnight. Now, you may think this is no real issue, minor inconvenience but no biggie. Yet this is where the issue arises, upon further inspection of my bonnet it seems that the mechanism (I think hydraulic rods) of the ‘active bonnet’ has in fact dented/creased my bonnet where the rods have impacted the bonnet to raise it.
For the past 2 days I have been trying to get an update on my car and its status. I was told that it was taken to Sandicliffe Mazda in Nottingham, yet when I called they said they had sent it to Mazda in Stapleford as it needed body repair (the bonnet). Yet when I called Stapleford Mazda they said they had no paperwork or vehicle. So then I phone Sandicliffe back only to be told that I need to speak to Mazda Assistance. When I got in touch with Mazda Assistance they first told me it was at Sandicliffe for which I informed them it wasn’t. After a few minutes on hold they then informed me that its been taken to an accident repair shop in Derby for quotation (today). I asked Mazda Assistance who is going to pay for the repair bill for which they said it was probably going to be me but I need to call Customer Relation Enquiries tomorrow to find out, bearing in mind tomorrow they would’ve had my car almost 3 days.
Now, am I being unreasonable to think that because the damage to the bonnet was caused by the ‘active bonnet’ mechanism that Mazda should be covering this cost as the car is still under warranty? Could I highlight that there is a design flaw/fault if the mechanism actually creates further damage to the car? Or are Mazda Assistance correct in their assumption that because an object hit/collided with my vehicle it triggered the ‘active bonnet’ mechanism so I am therefore responsible for paying for the repairs akin to a standard collision with a vehicle etc?
Any thoughts and comments would be great appreciated.
Many Thanks, J