Damage from recovery firm
Discussion
Hello, it’s my first time posting on here so please bear with me.
Last Sunday my vehicle (Van) broke down and I called a well known breakdown company to recover it. They sent a 3rd party recovery company out for me ,the issues with my van was that the fan belt had snapped.
When the recovery agent arrived, we began to load my vehicle onto his truck backwards. As he was doing this he states, his tow strap as become stuck in the rear offside.
I didn’t think much of this. He then bought the vehicle to my address where he unloaded the vehicle. Shortly after he went, I realised there was brake fluid leaking from the rear offside tyre. The next day I got my mechanic too look at this who said the caliper had been pulled out of place and the brake hose had been snapped of the caliper. Even after the belt was replaced the vehicle could not be driven due to faulty brakes.
Prior to the recovery, the brakes were 100% working and had just been overhauled using genuine parts and had passed an MOT.
The repaired cost me £245 including parts and labour.
I contacted the breakdown service who said they would look into this for me. However today they have got back to me stating the agent has said there was brake fluid leaking before he arrived and that he pointed this out to me. This did not happen.
They then stated that I knew about this and had signed that it was leaking. This agent did not happen and I did not sign knowing this. I was made to sign all documents as he was loading the vehicle. In was not even given a copy of the documents.
Im sure the recovery agent has put this in afterwards. Please could anyone advise what I should do next.
Inform them that you require evidence of you signing for the damage, dispute it, inform them that you wish to raise this as a formal complaint and failing that I'd probably just pony up the cash for Money Claim Online. It won't go to court, they'll fold because telling you you signed something saying it was damaged and producing that as evidence in court are two very different activities.
Thanks for prompt reply. I have request proof of the signed document and did raise a complaint. I’m still waiting on them to send it after he said he would send it straight away.
I think it should also be noted I was not left with any paperwork, whereas in the past I have always been given paperwork.
I think it should also be noted I was not left with any paperwork, whereas in the past I have always been given paperwork.
As above, but, BTW, crikey, unless your van is super rare, the breakdown service should have replaced a broken belt at the roadside. Good breakdown vans have a bunch of belts in stock, and a competent dude swaps the belt in 20-30 minutes.
PS: did you read before signing? It is not good that you were not given a carbon of the document.
PS: did you read before signing? It is not good that you were not given a carbon of the document.
Believe it or not, I carry a spare belt as AA have always replaced it in the past. I made this clear when calling them. But this time they just sent recovery. I changed breakdown company due to costs last year, (NOT AA OR RAC, but still a well known provider).
They instead sent out a 3rd party to recover the van.
They instead sent out a 3rd party to recover the van.
I have a small dent on Issa her door, that was listed there but no mention of brake fluid leak when signing.
Tbh though I’m not sure how they are trying to get away with it. I drove the van to the location of breakdown, how could I have done this with the caliper half hanging off and damaged. I’ve got proof of the damage done as a video which I also showed them.
Tbh though I’m not sure how they are trying to get away with it. I drove the van to the location of breakdown, how could I have done this with the caliper half hanging off and damaged. I’ve got proof of the damage done as a video which I also showed them.
I’ve got a receipt for parts for over £400 for 2 brake kits (front and rear), handbrake shoes, handrake cable and other items from Mercedes commercials dealer.
MOT was done end of MARCH.
It’s a delivery van so I’ve got proof of loads of deliveries.
In fact I’ve got proof to show I was doing delivery literally 20 mins before breakdown.
MOT was done end of MARCH.
It’s a delivery van so I’ve got proof of loads of deliveries.
In fact I’ve got proof to show I was doing delivery literally 20 mins before breakdown.
It’s through my bank this time but will deffo be changing back to AA.
I’ve requested the spicule tan day was told if would get emailed too me today but haven’t received it. I’ve sent them a SAR (subject access request), this should include the document that I’ve signed.
I will be P****D if it’s in there as it was 100% not there before.
I was told to sign the doc when we was loading the vehicles. But in the phone to the breakdown company their customers relations officer’ says I signed it after. That is another point to note.
I’ve requested the spicule tan day was told if would get emailed too me today but haven’t received it. I’ve sent them a SAR (subject access request), this should include the document that I’ve signed.
I will be P****D if it’s in there as it was 100% not there before.
I was told to sign the doc when we was loading the vehicles. But in the phone to the breakdown company their customers relations officer’ says I signed it after. That is another point to note.
Sounds a lot like Green Flag to me. I had them a long time ago, and on a previous car (think it was an M3, but it was the late 90’s, and they made such a fuss about that fan belt (even the same issue) I ended up having to go and find the sort because all the guy they sent wanted to so was tow the car to his garage and send me home. I made him fit it, but the whole experience took four hours or more. I cancelled with them when I got back and joined the AA, have been with them ever since
Unfortunately I don’t really have time to be hanging about and argue with them to fit it as I needed to get back out in my spare van.
They have said I could contact the Financial Ombudsmen and appeal to them. Or I’ve been advised on here to go to small claims court. What the best method of taking this forward?
They have said I could contact the Financial Ombudsmen and appeal to them. Or I’ve been advised on here to go to small claims court. What the best method of taking this forward?
Breadvan72 said:
As above, but, BTW, crikey, unless your van is super rare, the breakdown service should have replaced a broken belt at the roadside. Good breakdown vans have a bunch of belts in stock
We’re not actually issued any as standard, their are simply too many. Most of us carry a selection around that we can make do with in the middle of the night, but in reality, we would go and get the correct one from the nearest motor factors.Fair point, and I have had that happen - the factor was only five miles away. I usually have a spare in the car. I am a huge fan of breakdown van and truck people - I drive a lot of old cars and am often helped greatly by the skills of roadside mechanics. I can sometimes diagnose a fault but i can rarely fix it myself.
MAS123 said:
Unfortunately I don’t really have time to be hanging about and argue with them to fit it as I needed to get back out in my spare van.
They have said I could contact the Financial Ombudsmen and appeal to them. Or I’ve been advised on here to go to small claims court. What the best method of taking this forward?
Get the document that the company is relying on. Send it to me. I will draft a polite letter for you to send. It will not contain any Latin. I take it that you are a small business and not megacorp, as I only do freebies for non megacorps.They have said I could contact the Financial Ombudsmen and appeal to them. Or I’ve been advised on here to go to small claims court. What the best method of taking this forward?
daytona355 said:
Sounds a lot like Green Flag to me. I had them a long time ago, and on a previous car (think it was an M3, but it was the late 90’s, and they made such a fuss about that fan belt (even the same issue) I ended up having to go and find the sort because all the guy they sent wanted to so was tow the car to his garage and send me home. I made him fit it, but the whole experience took four hours or more. I cancelled with them when I got back and joined the AA, have been with them ever since
Green Flag do just seem to want to recover the vehicle rather than trying to fix it. I had a Renault Mégane which was fitted with those pencil coil packs that used to fail annually and whereas the AA & RAC used to carry spares and replace them Green Flag didn't and just recovered me to the nearest dealer. 
s.Breadvan72 said:
Get the document that the company is relying on. Send it to me. I will draft a polite letter for you to send. It will not contain any Latin. I take it that you are a small business and not megacorp, as I only do freebies for non megacorps.
Thank you. Yes I am on my own and this is my main work van. I will send you a copy of the letter as soon I receive it. I was supposed to revive it yesterday but haven’t heard anything. I’ve sent a SAR so now they should send ken within 30 days.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff