general question

general question

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scerbera

Original Poster:

102 posts

113 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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Hello Chaps,

Had my cerb delivered home this week after a nightmare getting the driveshaft repaired. Long story, RAC recovered me using a contractor in Brighton around 4/5 weeks ago I cant remember. I wanted he car transported home when it broke down but as it was a 300 mile trip it couldn't be done immediately. Next day the recovery company calls and offers to fix the problem for me, I went through with them that it is a TVR etc and that it needed special care and wasn't a normal job e.t.c and since it was a driveshaft I didn't see what harm it would do. So they gave me a courtesy car which broke down a week later but that is a different story, as is someone reversing into it within 48 hours when it was parked!

So then it had to be deliver cerb when ready and collect courtesy car. They had huge problems sourcing a shaft even with me guiding them explicitly.

I specifically told them not to deliver on a tuesday or wednesday, so of course they picked tuesday, I had to leave tuesday morning for some important business meetings, but they promised to return by 9. Well it didn't happen so I drive in the courtesy car 30 miles closer to swap cars (car running on 2 cylinders, it had 3, a brand new Peugeot shed) meet the driver at 11 already late and the cerb had a dead battery so couldn't drive it e.t.c

I told them a number of times not to return the car to me with a flat battery, morons. So I get back on thursday with the car being left at my parents farm as only place it could be unloaded. Set the charger up for battery but didn't check inside e.t.c.

Car started fine today with charged battery, then I notice empty fuel tank and it was full when I was recovered as had just filled it for start of journey home the next day. Then I check the mileage and fortunately the RAC guy had documented the mileage on the paperwork, someone has done 182 miles in it. I'd expect 10 or 15 maybe to check car at a push. But 180!

Quite annoyed as you can imagine, they haven't billed me yet and I certainly have no intention of paying. Do I have any recourse in this situation. The car was clearly repaired before they stated to me, and someone has had it for the weekend and had a good old ride in it.

Thoughts anyone?

FarmyardPants

4,099 posts

217 months

Friday 19th December 2014
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fkers!

Sorry I don't have any advice to offer, but reminds me of Ferris Bueller.

Stunned Monkey

351 posts

208 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Wait till you get the invoice before you ask them -politely- why the car has 180 more miles and an entire tank of fuel less than it had when dropped off. See what they say before taking a stand on the invoice and suggest not paying it until they provide a satisfactory answer (ie one that would satisfy trading standards - hint hint). Then at the very least subtract a tank of fuel from the invoice and record a review against them on line.

Byff

4,427 posts

260 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Sorry I'm not much help OP, but 180 miles on a tank of fuel - I wish I could get those economy figures.

scerbera

Original Poster:

102 posts

113 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
quotequote all
Byff said:
Sorry I'm not much help OP, but 180 miles on a tank of fuel - I wish I could get those economy figures.
Yeah, there is no way it was on 1 tank!

TheRainMaker

6,302 posts

241 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Byff said:
Sorry I'm not much help OP, but 180 miles on a tank of fuel - I wish I could get those economy figures.
Think you might want to get your cerb in for a service hehe

jamieduff1981

8,022 posts

139 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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TheRainMaker said:
Byff said:
Sorry I'm not much help OP, but 180 miles on a tank of fuel - I wish I could get those economy figures.
Think you might want to get your cerb in for a service hehe
I agree. I usually get about 200 miles between fillups and 250 miles if on a run.

OP - I would be furious if someone had taken any of my cars out like that. Even more so given peoples' tendency to crash Cerberas. 'That' phone call to explain why it's had both ends remodelled would not have gone well for them and I doubt I'd have accepted the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th excuses or explanations offered.

robsco

7,822 posts

175 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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I'm with Jamie. 180 miles, and you can bet your bottom dollar they thrashed it from cold. The way that car will have undoubtedly been treated could equate to 2000 miles of wear. I would be seething.

Brummmie

5,284 posts

220 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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I have a map switch with 3 positions, one with a 2k Rev limiter just for this kind of situation.

gruffalo

7,509 posts

225 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Sorry to hear this OP, not a good situation at all.

I would prepare an invoice for them at let's say £3/mile.

Also mention that you did not authorise them to drive the car and that you are thinking of reporting them to the police.

I would definitely contact trading standards as you have no idea who was driving the car, was it a garage mechanic or did the garage owner decide to make a bit of cash on the side and rent it out to a mate or something.

It will be interesting to see if any NIP's drop onto your door mat over the next couple of weeks.


Byff

4,427 posts

260 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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TheRainMaker said:
Think you might want to get your cerb in for a service hehe
Lighter right boot would work too. hehe

ElvisWedgely

2,714 posts

164 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Using a vehicle without the owners consent is a criminal offence. You were dealing with the RAC and therefore hold them responsible for your car. The fact that they sub contracted is no concern of yours. Your vehicle has covered excessive mileage, far more than necessary for testing purposes. It may have been abused or used for an illegal purpose during that time. Your proof is the missing fuel and the recorded mileage and the unreasonable amount of time taken to complete the repairs.

At the first instance I would contact the RAC and hear their explanation. I would alert them that a criminal offence may have taken place under their name using your vehicle, and that you hold them responsible. Then I would contact the trading standards and explain what has happened. I would also contact the police and give them the time that your car was away to rule out any criminal activity coming back to you and speeding fines and parking offences etc.

If no satisfactory explanation is given you will need to take legal action against the RAC and the Trading Standards may help you with this or give you legal advise as to the best course of action to be taken against them. I would by no means take this matter lightly and pursue it until you get a satisfactory result in your favour. Just an apology is not a satisfactory result.

Tony. TCB.

ackbullchang

270 posts

209 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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OP - you should ask a mod to move this to the Speed and Law section. There are some really good knowledgeable lawyers on there that might give you some sound advice.

Incognegro

1,560 posts

132 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Definitely TRADING STANDARDS and volley the RAC 180miles!? That's pure abuse! Showing off mates to mates and posing as they own it! Your service is in 6k intervals so pro rata that cost too oh and give them a fuel and oil bill!

Incognegro

1,560 posts

132 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Brummmie said:
I have a map switch with 3 positions, one with a 2k Rev limiter just for this kind of situation.
Genius! Who and where? What's the OBD port like on the Cerb I have a switch module on my Range Rover sport now I'm thinking of doing a Brummie.

Cerberaherts

1,651 posts

140 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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That's disgusting. You need to contact them before they even issue you with an invoice...

Brummmie

5,284 posts

220 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Incognegro said:
Genius! Who and where? What's the OBD port like on the Cerb I have a switch module on my Range Rover sport now I'm thinking of doing a Brummie.
I run emerald, so map switch is an £18 add on, I have stashed it under the dash out of sight, but in reach if you know where to feel.

Stunned Monkey

351 posts

208 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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Cerberaherts said:
That's disgusting. You need to contact them before they even issue you with an invoice...
That gives them a chance to inflate the bill, then "discount" on the used fuel once pushed.

Cerberaherts

1,651 posts

140 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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It's not about the fuel used. It's about the mileage they have covered. A garage that shows so little respect for their customers vehicles deserves no payment at all.

Incognegro

1,560 posts

132 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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More to the point rather than bad mouth further please name so we can make our minds up (avoid in other words)