Serious Problem with Garage - Breakdown People
Discussion
Hi people, I'll try to keep this short but any advice is greatly appreciated.
I left for my annual Alpine trip last Thursday only for a ticking noise to appear next day which I believe it was the inner cv joint. Took the car to the dealers on Saturday for diagnostics and they quoted me gearbox with a repair quote of 3,500 euros. When I asked for more information they said it was the diff but because they don't change the diff they have to change the box. Car is a Clio R27.
Now at that point I knew there was nothing wrong with the diff or the box (box had been reconditioned before the trip and a new quaife was fitted) so I told them not to do anything and that I'd go and collect the car, nursing it back to the UK. Breakdown people told me that if the car breaks down for the same very reason they won't be able to assist or in fact repatriate my car because the car could have been repaired in France before my due return date! At a cost of 3,500 euros...Blackmail anyone? I tried to explain that I can repair this damage here in the UK for less that £300 and they would have none of it...
I said sod it I'll take my chances, went back to the garage yesterday to collect and I immediately realised that they wanted to get rid of me asap. They gave me the key, they didn't ask for any diagnostic fees, they didn't give me anything to sign, no paperwork no invoices nothing at all. I was like "fair enough" so I got in the car to leave only to realise that first and second gear would not engage! In fact the box was totally sloppy, the stick would not return to its centered position etc. They had done something nasty to my car!
To cut the story short the garage would not accept any responsibility - even though I physically drove the car there with no gearbox problems - and after a few phone calls the breakdown cover agreed to repatriate my car back in the UK because they were getting mixed info from the garage. At that point I gave them all the necessary information (collection address, opening hours, delivery address etc) and I left, passenger in my mate's Exige. We cancelled our hotel in Reims for the night and we changed the crossing because we wouldn't have to nurse any cars back home only to receive a phone call from the breakdown cover telling me that they can't repatriate my car because it could have been repaired before my due date of return. Same story, 5 hours after them having already agreed that they would. I at the time was one hour away from Calais on my way back...
So where am I standing with this one? I already checked for transportation fees and it's over a grand...
Thanks.
I left for my annual Alpine trip last Thursday only for a ticking noise to appear next day which I believe it was the inner cv joint. Took the car to the dealers on Saturday for diagnostics and they quoted me gearbox with a repair quote of 3,500 euros. When I asked for more information they said it was the diff but because they don't change the diff they have to change the box. Car is a Clio R27.
Now at that point I knew there was nothing wrong with the diff or the box (box had been reconditioned before the trip and a new quaife was fitted) so I told them not to do anything and that I'd go and collect the car, nursing it back to the UK. Breakdown people told me that if the car breaks down for the same very reason they won't be able to assist or in fact repatriate my car because the car could have been repaired in France before my due return date! At a cost of 3,500 euros...Blackmail anyone? I tried to explain that I can repair this damage here in the UK for less that £300 and they would have none of it...
I said sod it I'll take my chances, went back to the garage yesterday to collect and I immediately realised that they wanted to get rid of me asap. They gave me the key, they didn't ask for any diagnostic fees, they didn't give me anything to sign, no paperwork no invoices nothing at all. I was like "fair enough" so I got in the car to leave only to realise that first and second gear would not engage! In fact the box was totally sloppy, the stick would not return to its centered position etc. They had done something nasty to my car!
To cut the story short the garage would not accept any responsibility - even though I physically drove the car there with no gearbox problems - and after a few phone calls the breakdown cover agreed to repatriate my car back in the UK because they were getting mixed info from the garage. At that point I gave them all the necessary information (collection address, opening hours, delivery address etc) and I left, passenger in my mate's Exige. We cancelled our hotel in Reims for the night and we changed the crossing because we wouldn't have to nurse any cars back home only to receive a phone call from the breakdown cover telling me that they can't repatriate my car because it could have been repaired before my due date of return. Same story, 5 hours after them having already agreed that they would. I at the time was one hour away from Calais on my way back...
So where am I standing with this one? I already checked for transportation fees and it's over a grand...
Thanks.
No not really but I was trying to ask them what they did to the car and why the gears now would not engage. They told me it was like when they diagnosed it.
My main issue is with the breakdown, they told me that they would repatriate the car and after 5 hours they told me they couldn't. Obviously if I had known I would have taken the vehicle from there and nurse to a different garage to get it sorted.
My main issue is with the breakdown, they told me that they would repatriate the car and after 5 hours they told me they couldn't. Obviously if I had known I would have taken the vehicle from there and nurse to a different garage to get it sorted.
D7Cup said:
To cut the story short the garage would not accept any responsibility - even though I physically drove the car there with no gearbox problems - and after a few phone calls the breakdown cover agreed to repatriate my car back in the UK because they were getting mixed info from the garage. At that point I gave them all the necessary information (collection address, opening hours, delivery address etc) and I left
This is the important point. They agreed to repatriate the car, and you went on your way.Do they expect you to go back yourself now because they changed their mind?
I'd escalate and give them 24 hours to agree to repatriate.
JustinP1 said:
This is the important point. They agreed to repatriate the car, and you went on your way.
Do they expect you to go back yourself now because they changed their mind?
I'd escalate and give them 24 hours to agree to repatriate.
This is exactly what I'm currently trying to do however I don't know what the next step would be in case they don't do it. Trading standards? Do they expect you to go back yourself now because they changed their mind?
I'd escalate and give them 24 hours to agree to repatriate.
Formal warning that if they now refuse that you have no other choice than to pay for the repatriation yourself.
Then warn them that you will claim this from them on the basis that they should have arranged it, and in any case they informed you that they would and you made subsequent arrangements which has meant that your car now definitely needs to be repatriated.
That seems to be your only rapid option to get your car back.
I'd definitely escalate within the company though. The main issue is that they agreed to repatriate previously which meant you've left your car in a foreign country. Whether that was a mistake or not, they should solve the problem.
Then warn them that you will claim this from them on the basis that they should have arranged it, and in any case they informed you that they would and you made subsequent arrangements which has meant that your car now definitely needs to be repatriated.
That seems to be your only rapid option to get your car back.
I'd definitely escalate within the company though. The main issue is that they agreed to repatriate previously which meant you've left your car in a foreign country. Whether that was a mistake or not, they should solve the problem.
I think this will be hard to work out in your favour. You may find that you end up arguing for a long time with the breakdown people and not getting very far. Then all the time your pride and joy is sat in a dodge french garage. The breakdown company have no interest in a speedy resolution.
You may have to pay yourself to get it repatriated in parallel with fighting with them. In a similar situation a few years back I ended up pickup up the cost of the repatriation and I failed to gain any redress from the company.
Bert
You may have to pay yourself to get it repatriated in parallel with fighting with them. In a similar situation a few years back I ended up pickup up the cost of the repatriation and I failed to gain any redress from the company.
Bert
Why did you not tell the garage that you think it was the inner cv joint that was the issue then they may have repaired it for a reasonable price and you would be on your way instead of the garage saying it was gearbox and diff at 3500 Euros.
Regarding the recovery company if you spoke to a woman then you will not get anywhere with your complaint as we all know women change their minds all the time so hopefully it will be changed again in your favour.
Good luck in getting the car back OP.
Regarding the recovery company if you spoke to a woman then you will not get anywhere with your complaint as we all know women change their minds all the time so hopefully it will be changed again in your favour.
Good luck in getting the car back OP.
Thanks again. I was thinking to do it in 2 days, pop there friday night, collect the car first thing Saturday morning and come back. Unfortunately I haven't got anyone with a tow car so trailer is not an option
btcc123 said:
Why did you not tell the garage that you think it was the inner cv joint that was the issue then they may have repaired it for a reasonable price and you would be on your way instead of the garage saying it was gearbox and diff at 3500 Euros.
Regarding the recovery company if you spoke to a woman then you will not get anywhere with your complaint as we all know women change their minds all the time so hopefully it will be changed again in your favour.
Good luck in getting the car back OP.
Thanks. I did, I actually did. In fact I had the breakdown people on the line explaining to them what we thought the damage was (noone spoke English there so I had the breakdown people as translators). He also checked to see whether that part was in stock and it wasn't but he apparently reassured us that the mechanic will be able to tell when they do the diagnostics. I highly doubt he passed any info whatsoever.. Regarding the recovery company if you spoke to a woman then you will not get anywhere with your complaint as we all know women change their minds all the time so hopefully it will be changed again in your favour.
Good luck in getting the car back OP.
SpeedMattersNot said:
I wonder if upon inspection they drained the oil once they suspected it was the diff? They may have done this to inspect the oil to determine if anything was untoward inside the case.
Really doubt it mate, they wouldn't do that at an inspection surely. I suspect that they must have fiddled with the linkage though as the other gears would engage? But why would they do something like that in the first place?PIGINAWIG said:
I have a pick up truck and fully enclosed trailer or trailer open to the elements, but I'd have to drive it for insurance reasons.
Let me know if I can help? I'm based near Chelmsford in Essex but guessing a trip on the Euro tunnel?
Cheers
Wow what a star, pm'dLet me know if I can help? I'm based near Chelmsford in Essex but guessing a trip on the Euro tunnel?
Cheers
Devil2575 said:
btcc123 said:
Regarding the recovery company if you spoke to a woman then you will not get anywhere with your complaint as we all know women change their minds all the time so hopefully it will be changed again in your favour.
Just a bit of casual sexism thrown in for good measure?Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff