Hello, I leased a 2017 Ftype on July 29th, however, just two days after an error light saying Check Fuel Filler Cap popped up. Once I restarted the car the engine light went away, so I didn't think much about it.

A day later, the check engine light came up, so I booked an appointment for service for Aug 10th. I got the car back on the 14th of Aug and they said it was rodent damage, and that they chewed on some piping and they replaced it. The service advisor advised me to purchase a product called mouse magic and put it around my hood and inside my car, which I have done so.

Every was normal for less than 24 hours. The Check Fuel Filler Cap error came back and went away as I restarted the engine, but sure enough just a little bit later the check engine light came back on.

I booked another service appointment, and the car is currently at the dealership, and they said they chewed off some piping in the rear end that has to do with the gas and that it won't be covered under warranty and that I would have to pay for the part. I have also asked for a picture of the damage and they were unable to provide one until they took out the part ( they showed one of the damage last time)

Is it unreasonable for me to think that the damage could have been caused BEFORE i even got the car and that it should be covered? The car was at 381 miles when i bought it in again to the dealership (it had 100 when i purchased it) so it is still VERY new.
I have already contacted Jaguar USA and they have 'opened a case', but that's all for now.
Do I have any options or would I have to take the loss and just pay for the part?

 

I'd wait to see what JaguarUSA offers to do for you if anything. Rodent damage isn't covered under warranty. I had a wiring harness partially chewed through. Luckily my dealer was able repair the harness and they took of the labor.

Its sort of a grey area. It can very well be possible that the car was damaged before you took delivery. But the argument can also be that the warning light wasn't on at delivery so therefore the damage occurred when the car was in your possession.

I think if anything they may meet you half way and do a 50/50 split with you.

 

Where do you store the car?

 

Have you noticed a lot of mice around the house? If not, the damage is most likely to have ocurred over the lengthy period of time the car was sitting at the dealership. It is unlikely that mice are actively chewing on bio-degradable wiring insulation at this time of year.

 

Was Jaguar one of the companies that switched over to a soy based wiring harness rather than petroleum plastic based?

 

i Park it in my garage, which replaced my other car
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hello, I have never seen a mouse at my house before and this has never been an issue with any of my previous cars.

 

i park it in my garage

 

That is absurd, Sorry you're going through this with your new F-Type. I had problems like 3 days after purchase as well. I wasn't happy at all.

Can you get an exterminator to inspect your garage and give you a quote saying your garage is clean? Either that or they may find the mice.

Then take it with you when going to the dealership. The damage could've happened at the dealership and the lights may have been turned on after you bought it because you started driving it, instead of it sitting in the lot.

 

Rodent damage has nothing whatever do do with Jaguar or any other car manufacturer and rodent damage to wiring and to hood pads is very common. It can be mice, rats or squirrels -which are just rats with cute tails. My son's new F-Pace suffered severe rodent damage to wiring - and it was covered by his car insurance. That is where you should be looking for help, not to the manufacturer of the car.

 

Well...when car manufactures decided to use soy based umber insulation for wires, they in effect, hung out the 'ALL YOU CAN EAT" sign for rodents. Honda supplies a anti rodent tape to wrap your wiring in.
Here is an article on soy based wires
Lawsuit: Plastic in new cars attracting rats | ABC10.com

 

Request to see the damage before they repair it.

 

I only had the underside of the engine cover chewed on, but field mice were definitely under there. There were clear signs they thought the top parts were a mousie latrine.

I've been using scented drier sheets, e.g. Bounce. It seems to be working. I replace them once a month. I have one on each side under the hood. I roll them up (spindle them) and tie them around a convenient pipe or wiring harness. In the back I just set one on top of the battery.

 

I think I recall a anti rodent thread on the forum with a lot of defense strategies.