MG Refused Warranty Coverage For My ZS EV Charging Door Defect

When my 2023 MG ZS EV was about two years old, I discovered approximately ten days ago that the charging port door would not open when I tried to plug the car in for charging one morning.

I immediately contacted roadside assistance and asked whether there was any practical emergency method to open the charging door. During the phone call, I was told that they had never encountered such a problem before, that they could not suggest any solution, and that the vehicle needed to be taken to a service center. I explained that the battery level was only at 40% and that I would not be able to drive the 150 km distance to the service center with the remaining charge. Despite this, no alternative solution was offered, and I was repeatedly told that the vehicle had to be brought to the service center.

When I attempted to open the charging door again, I noticed that every time I pressed the unlock button, an abnormal sound came from the charging door lock mechanism, different from its normal operating sound, yet the charging door still would not open. Even though I clearly explained the malfunction to the company, no meaningful assistance was provided.

Because the vehicle could not be charged and therefore became unusable, I was forced to pry the charging door open using a screwdriver. During this process, the exterior charging flap on the bodywork was damaged.

After charging the vehicle, I drove it to the service center in İzmir. Even though the failure in the charging door lock mechanism was obvious, the service center classified both the lock mechanism malfunction and the resulting broken charging flap as “user error” and demanded payment from me.

I do not accept that a spontaneous defect in the charging door locking mechanism, and the damage caused as a direct result of this defect, should be treated as user error. I also do not accept that roadside assistance failed to provide any practical solution and then shifted all responsibility onto me afterward.

I request that the charging door lock mechanism defect be evaluated under warranty coverage. I also request that the damaged charging flap/body panel be repaired or replaced free of charge under warranty because the damage occurred as a direct result of the original malfunction. In addition, I expect compensation and resolution for the inconvenience and hardship I experienced throughout this process.