13th Jun 2021, 12:24

On a 2003 car, now? Wear and tear items ARE maintenance items - you need to change them to maintain the car in good running, usable condition. These are not repairs due to the component failing catastrophically. Exhaust manifold, window seals, brake calipers, suspension bushings, and ball joints WILL fail with time (the exhaust manifold may be either the perished seal, or in many modern cars are made of plastic which eventually crack or develop air leaks). Paint, bumper and grille - paint maybe (to keep it from rusting in portions) but sure "maintains" the look of the vehicle; bumper and grille - certainly not repair issues, but it's their car and if they did it to maintain how it looks, certainly does not make the car a badly built, poorly engineered vehicle.