SkodaVRS1963 said:
There's another (very bad) Skoda forum out there where the chipping / modding of vehicles is promoted as being the best thing sinced sliced bread.
To me, it doesn't seem to be a coincidence that those doing the promoting are forum sponsors and those who dare to swim against the tide get banned. Hey, maybe I'm just a cynic?
Now, if you modify a product to perform outside of it's original operating range then the manufacturer has ZERO obligation to "prove" that your modifications caused the failure. If you're stupid enough to take it all the way to court, it's as simple as their barrister standing up and stating "it wasn't designed for that" and it's an open and shut case.
The manufacturer of any product will never be held accountable for the durability of something operating outside of the range of what it was designed for.
It still holds true they can't deny warranty coverage on something unrelated. If you have a chipped ECM and your radio fails then they still need to cover your radio under warranty, seeing as it's a completely unrelated system.
If they denied liability, they would, in that situation, have to prove that your ECM flash killed the radio.
But, when you modify the engine to add power, the burden of proof is no longer on them for ANY powertrain failure because it wasn't designed to handle the higher loads and stresses than the factory stock XXXhp provides.
Legally making it operate outside of factory stock specified range and/or power levels is "proof" enough that the manufacturer does not have to honour your warranty.
Moral of this (overly long) story? Don't chip or mod it while it's under warranty.
I absolutely agree with everything you said, modify anything and you run the risk of not being covered under warranty. This includes bodywork as well as electrical and mechanical.
The only point I would make is from experience is that Skoda dealers will do anything not to repair under warranty even when it's so blatantly evident it's a fault ( mines had the battery replaced, camera recalibration and door protectors replaced / repaired under warranty) so I hate to think about the resistance you will get if they know you have changed something from standard.
Using your example it could be argued that the radio fault is due to changes to the wiring loom assuming you have used an external racechip ECU. It could also be argued that systems are so integrated that changes in the ECU could cascade down to other linked components.
One person on hear was having significant issues getting his car repaired under warranty (think it was blind spot assist ) due to him having an aftermarket tow bar fitted. The premise being is that a non-Skoda technician had changed the electrical systems.
If you do it then you take the risk, you also must tell your insurance company as if you don't then you may find your insurance is void, therefore no payout or prosecution.