Modern Vespa

So, my 2008 GTS's glove box hinge was broken from the start. I delayed bringing it in and having it fixed, figuring I'd do it just before my warranty ran out so that if anything else needed to be done, I could save a trip to the shop. When the warranty was about to run, I called my local shop who ordered the leg shield panel, then I heard nothing for a while. I called back and was told that Vespa would not honor the warranty, considering the defective hinge clip attachment a "wear" issue. Vespa says that if I had brought it in earlier, then it would have been covered. Bastids.

To top things off, right when my warranty ran out the exhaust started getting really loud. I've been told not to ride it until it's fixed as the exhaust gases might burn a hole in the rear break line.

The warranty lists several things that are specifically NOT covered, and the glove box hinge is not one of them. A hinge that doesn't last a year is a defective hinge IMHO. If their argument is that it is a "wear" item, that would pretty much apply to everything on the scooter. I hate it when a company tries to squirm out of their warranty obligations by blaming the customer. They could have easily fixed the hinge and had a happy customer. What good is a one year warranty if they won't honor it? And what good are their EXTENDED warranties? Vespa leaves a lot to be desired in the customer service department.

Woah..another issue with the GTS exhaust. What's the deal with these things?

I would wonder if the dealer ever took the rear wheel off for any reason such as a tire change. If they did, then they might have caused the gasket failure and they should then fix it for you for free.

If the exhaust is taken off with care no damage should result to the gasket. But they do wear out, they is inevitable to the sliding process.

So a dealer should always be prepared to change the gasket when doing a tyre change, and yes, the customer would have to pay for the new one. It's just another consumable on these bikes.

When I bought my 2007 GTS in October of 2007, Piaggio was giving a free three year warranty on all scoots at that time for a limited time...I got it! Now, if you don't co the regular scheduled service on time by time or mileage, whichever comes first, they can invalidate the warranty altogether. I had my bike in for the 4,000 mile service the second week in May of this year...had it done...forgot to bring in the warranty booklet with all the previous stamps in it....when I had it in for a tire change about three weeks ago, forgot to bring it in too....my Vespa dealer told me that Piaggio is looking for any excuse not to honor warranties these days...and to get it in VERY soon to be stamped...took the book there today and it is stamped....can't understand why a company, if reputable, would want to NOT honor warranties if they are being executed in good faith by the consumers who use their products.....other than money...by me servicing my bike at the regularly scheduled intervals, it's better for me but make Piaggio money and keeps the dealer in business. Heck, why would they not want to honor it if the work was done on time but I just forgot to stamp the book...it's because the dealer has to send in the little coupon torn out of the warranty book...maybe that's how they get paid for the work done by Piaggio. The only good thing about the Piaggio warranty is that it is for UNLIMITED mileage....so, get out there and RIDE !!! Bottom line is....I still have warranty left until October of 2010.

Munibonds,
The paper records are no longer used, every service (maintenance or repair) is recorded in the service computer. That way, every dealer in the nation has access to your records, without you needing the book or even the extended warranty card with you. It all goes by VIN.

I just had this happen to me, when I got a new turn signal switch on warranty, from a new (to me) dealer (I just recently moved to Utah), and I have done all the services by myself, so there are no such records in any dealer's computer system. Parts purchases, maybe.

I've not required any of my service books to be stamped in the last two years. All computerised, and any dealer who says otherwise to get out of warranty issues is a lying scumbag.

Id try another dealer, Piaggio is pretty good about (in my experience) replacing parts. Also my dealer told me that they order the parts and do the work and then send in a request to Piaggio, maybe I misunderstood.
I had one dealer not want to put in a claim on a Wonky seat, took it to another and had it replaced (which I still have in the garage) no problem. The seat was tearing from the rear crash bars and the hing was wonky.

Ive had an exhaust gasket changed under warranty, they shouldnt go out in one year, it it hadnt been touched (ie changing a rear tire).

As for riding it with a bad gasket, the GTS had a heat shield washer thats suppose to prevent that from happening now, unlike before. Plus a buddy at a local dealer told me hes never seen hot exhaust burn up a brake line.

Good luck

Manny

The exhaust gasket wears out by the first year. It costs $45 for a new carbin aluminum composite BUT they is a BRASS replacement that does not wear out. Massimo's Vespa Shop sells them.

I don't know , I think that one year depending on the mileage, the exhaust gasket shouldn't have failed. Mine lasted well over a year.

Mine seemed to last about 12,000 miles - but the design has changed and reputedly should last a lot longer. The last one in the Fuoco was the old design though, so as another 12,000 miles is nearly up I'm keeping an eye on it.