From the Mares website:
Only defects or damages resulting from a failure in material or workmanship are covered by the MARES Warranty program. Other defects or damages, in particular those listed below, are not covered by our warranty:
•Defects or damage caused by normal use and wear•Defects or damage caused by heavy, unusual, or incorrect use, or use under abnormal conditions (blows, jerks, falls, bumps, etc.)•Defects or damages caused by lack of or incorrect maintenance or through negligence•Defects or damages known or evident at the time of purchase of the Product•Clear defects or damage, tacitly accepted, that did not interfere with the product's operation•Scratches or damage to the plastic surfaces, glass, and all other external areas due to normal use of the product•Defects or damages caused by cleaning materials or other substances containing aggressive chemicals (solvents, surfactants, aggressive cleansers, etc.)•Defects or damages resulting from alterations and changes made to the Products without authorization•Defects or damages caused by improper assembly of the components•Defects or damages caused by failure to follow Product instructions in the User’s Manual•Defects or damages caused by prolonged use of the Product in chlorinated or polluted water•Defects or damages caused by exposing the Product to excessive temperatures, fire, or prolonged exposure to sunlight.All components subject to normal wear and tear (O-Rings, filters, diaphragms, light bulbs, batteries, rubber parts, silicone parts, latex, neoprene, zippers, etc.) are not covered by the warranty unless it can be shown that the problem is a manufacturing defect.
This warranty does not cover equipment used for rental, military or commercial purposes.
It sounds like you just had a routine (albeit expensive) annual servicing. OUCH
