Mavic Wheels

Mavic are French. The French have many fine characteristics*, a deep respect for the letter of the law is not one of them. I fear you will struggle with this one.

*I have this on good authority from a chap who once went there.

Completely missed those.
1. I've read about some snapping like that, though more on the DS where the chain might have dropped off the cassette.
2. Lifespan is subjective, depends on the roads you ride on, your weight, if you're a smoother rider pick your lines carefully they'd last longer than someone nailing it through the bad surfaces, also if you've had any crashes as well. Personally I'd call 2/3 years about right for a £500 wheelset to need consumable parts replacing like bearings/pawls/springs, a hub cracking is different and I'd not expect that, but then if you have really bad local roads, weigh a bit more, had a crash etc, then it could be possible.
3. Mavic seemed to be awkward to get an answer out of when a mate wanted something from them a few years ago, but things could have improved since then. Always worth dropping them an email (I imagine they'll refer you back to the dealer though).

Pawls are a consumable/serviceable part though, they wear. Would you complain to the manufacturer of the tyre you use when it wore through?

Also SOGA saying 6 years isn't how long goods have to last for though.

tradingstandards.gov.uk wrote:

How long have I got to make a claim?
The law states that a trader's legal responsibility for faulty goods lasts for six years from the date of the contract. This does not mean the goods have to last this length of time, but this is the time limit that the law gives you to take legal action.

Also if you are going to pursue them under SOGA as it is more than 6 months after you buying them the onus is on you to prove they aren't upto standard, not the retailer.

Basically, something broke, and it's out of warranty, suck it up and pay for the new stuff you need.

Hmph, sounds like the shop are being really difficult with you. Might be time to drag out the Sale of Goods Act of 1979. Mavic may or may not honour a warranty, but the shop most certainly have a responsibility to sell you stuff that doesn't break. You'd argue that you're riding the wheels in a way that they are designed to - perhaps you could show them strava data to let them know you're not riding 1000km a week, so your usage isn't deemed exceptional.

As for Mavic wheels generally - I've had the pawls go in two wheels so far, a mate's has gone once too. The lovely Mavic Scream as you freewheel.

Anyway, real up on SOGA and talk to the manager using 'fit for purpose' and other such terrifying phrases. They'll probably fix things for you sharpish.