Sorry for the extended delays in getting back to this thread.
Since
the original thread that motivated my contact with Honda UK was addressing owner oil changes, my discussions with them were specifically targeted at this aspect and
not towards general repairs. (My impression is that Honda UK would prefer you take your PCX to an "approved" mechanic for mechanical repairs, but I wouldn't rule out asking more 'pointed questions' if you had a good case for doing the repairs yourself.)
I originally contacted Honda UK thru their
Contact Us web page, and their initial reply did not include my original question. I'll try to recreate my initial question, and then paste the actual email exchanges I had with Honda UK.
From the very beginning I was up-front that I was asking about a PCX that was not mine. Because this entire exchange took me nearly a month to complete, I feel confident that the answers were carefully researched by the representatives before they responded. As such, I'm treating this as a Honda UK response* and removing the representatives' names from their emails.
*See the disclaimer info at the end of this post.
Day 1, initial query --
Hello,
My friend owns a PCX125 and was commenting on the need for changing the oil. In order to ensure that it gets done in a timely fashion, he would like to perform the oil changes himself, but is concerned about having the service record appropriately endorsed. Can you provide some guidance on what he can do to secure the necessary documentation?
Thanks and regards,
[me]
Day 3, Honda UK response --
Dear __,
Thank you for contacting Honda UK with your query.
Honda highly recommends all vehicles or machinery manufactured by Honda to be maintained by Honda authorised dealerships, as they are Honda technicians who are trained and qualified to service Honda products, following the procedures recommended by Honda.
If your or your friend decides to service the motorcycle in question outside the Honda authorised dealership network, Honda would need a proof that the routine service is done, so that the warranty could be kept valid. Such proof could be the invoice from the service. Thus, only independent VAT registered service points could service the motorcycle, if you would like the warranty to be valid.
Any damage that results from repair or maintenance performed using methods not specified by Honda or the use of non-genuine Honda parts will not be covered under the warranty.
Should you have further queries, do not hesitate to contact us back.
Kind Regards,
[rep #1]
Honda Customer Service
_____________________
Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
Honda UK
Day 4, my reply --
Hi [rep #1],
Thank you very much for your quick reply. If I understand your explanation correctly, proper verification is crucial. My friend is willing to provide whatever documentation is necessary in order to perform regular oil changes himself. (He already regularly checks the oil level on his PCX and adds oil as it consumed by the motorbike, which we're assuming is acceptable to Honda without documentation.) If he secures the oil receipts with the service record and records the change date himself, would that qualify?
Thanks and regards,
[me]
Day 6, HUK response --
Dear __,
Thank you for your response.
So that we could provide any confirmation, could you please provide us with the registration number of the scooter and could also please let us know whether your friend is mechanically trained?
We are looking forward to your response.
Kind Regards,
[rep #1]
Honda Customer Service
_____________________
Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
Honda UK
Day 6, my reply --
Hi [rep #1],
My friend is mechanically skilled but not formally trained. Unfortunately, he lives in Newcastle and I do not, so I do not have access to his registration information. (He doesn't know I'm asking these questions on his behalf.) He is somewhat of a stickler when it comes to maintenance on his vehicles, and he prefers to keep ahead of the recommended service intervals.
With so little oil capacity to the engine, and with the motorbike consuming oil during operation, it seems that this would be one of the more critical maintenance functions of the owner. Am I to understand that adding oil between services without documentation is not recommended?
Thanks and regards,
[me]
Day 8, HUK response --
Dear __,
Thank you for your response.
We are glad to learn that your friend would take a good care of the scooter. We are sure that he also finds the standard inspections before use as common. There are detailed instruction what pre-use checked are required in the owner's manual, that the scooter will be supplied with.
To ensure safety, it is the rider's responsibility to perform a pre-ride inspection and make sure that any problem that could be found is corrected. A pre-ride inspection is a must, not only for safety, but because having a breakdown, or even a flat tyre, can be a major inconvenience. Check the following items before you get on your scooter:
● Fuel level - Fill fuel tank when necessary;
● Throttle - Check for smooth opening and full closing in all steering positions.
● Engine oil level - Add engine oil if necessary. Check for leaks.
● Coolant level - Add coolant if required. Check for leaks.
● Brakes - Check operation; Front: check brake fluid level and pads wear. Rear: check shoes wear and freeplay, adjust if necessary.
● Lights and horn - Check that lights, indicators and horn function properly.
● Side stand ignition cut-off system – Check for proper function.
● Wheels and tyres - Check condition, air pressure and adjust if necessary.
We have forwarded your query to Honda Customer Relations, so that they could provide a confirmation what maintenance will be accepted in relation to the conditions of the warranty.
Should you have further queries, do not hesitate to contact us back.
Kind Regards,
[rep #1]
Honda Customer Service
_____________________
Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
Honda UK
At this point I thanked [rep #1] for their help and said I would wait for Honda Customer Relations to contact me.
Day 14, HUK-CR response --
Dear __
Thank you for your recent e-mail regarding the servicing on your Honda PCX125.
I can see that your enquiry relates to the changing of the oil in your scooter. Honda (UK) understand that some customers with to work on their own machines in terms of servicing and this is something that they are able to do. If parts are needed, the customer would need to ensure that genuine Honda parts are used (or parts of the same quality). As part of routine maintenance, it is also imperative that the oil is checked during the servicing schedules and also on a weekly basis. If oil is required, it would need to be the oil that is stated in the owner’s manual and the correct amount is put into the machine. If the machine were to be over-filled or run out of oil at any time, and this in turn caused any issues with the engine on the machine, this is not something that would be covered by the 2 year warranty.
I hope this clarifies your questions, thank you once again for contacting Honda (UK)
Kind Regards,
[rep #2]
Customer Relations Coordinator
Customer & Aftersales
Honda (UK)
Day 17, my reply --
Hi [rep #2],
Thank you for your response. Yes, this is very helpful and a sensible outline of procedures (with regards to services required, attention to condition, and using only Honda-specified parts). What sort of documentation should be provided on the occasion that an oil change is performed at home?
Thanks and regards,
[me]
Day 24, HUK-CR response --
Dear __
Thank you for your email.
With regards to documenting the oil change, you would need to keep receipt of the oil you have used and where it was purchased. I would recommend keeping the purchase receipt to confirm this.
Thank you once again for contacting Honda (UK)
Kind Regards,
[rep #2]
Customer Relations Coordinator
Customer & Aftersales
Honda (UK)
Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I will provide the "Disclaimer" info at the bottom of the Honda UK Customer Relations emails. (This is relevant to my line of questioning regarding
someone else's PCX.) Note that no similar disclaimer was attached to the Customer Service emails:
Disclaimer: This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Honda Motor Europe Ltd. or any of its group of companies. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Honda Motor Europe Limited, company no. 857969, registered in England and Wales, Cain Road , Bracknell , Berkshire , RG12 1HL Visit our website:
http://www.honda.co.uk
Now, I understand people's reluctance to challenge a large manufacturer on the guidelines surrounding their warranty coverage. Even with the consumer protections we enjoy here in the US, there are still a large number of folks who will
only go the the dealers for any servicing during the warranty period. However, from a maintenance perspective, routine checking and maintaining oil level between changes is far more critical on these bikes, and yet Honda expects owners to do this without requiring any "appropriately endorsed" record by an "authorised service centre."
