July 2009
Big deal made on breakfast and rolling news today regarding clamping and breach of human rights. Whilst I abhor the antics of a number of the companies engaged in this activity, I'd ust like to say that I equally abhor he term "human rights" being used in this context.
Human rights legislation was born of a need to stop despots putting people in ovens, rounding people up in forests and shooting them, torturing people in dark and damp dungeons. It was not enacted to prevent erroneous wheel clamping by cowboy firms, and the use of the term diminishes everything that human rights stands for.
In it's place, I would like to see the United Nations enact the "You touch my car, I punch your face" Act 2009.
If my car was clamped under circumstances outlined in the news, I would hunt down the owner of the cowboy firm; like the cur he is, and do unimaginable things. Hot rusty cutlery.......eyeballs.............mmmmmm.......get the picture? Read more
Hi
Is it acceptable for a dealer to worsen a fault to investigate source of problem?
Our Berlingos full-length fabric sunroof failed to open, so we took it to our local dealer, whose mechanic pulled the offending corner back to see why it wasn't moving.
Having ascertained why not (broken / stripped teeth on the drive mechanism), the roof was pushed back as far as it would go and we were told that we'd need a new roof, because that's how they come, at a cost of c.£2500 +vat. We declined and went on our way.
It quickly became apparent that the roof was now no longer sealed and weather / wind proof. We went back and were told that that was something we'd have to put up with as that was how they'd had to diagnose the problem.
We have spoken to the garages management since and they are adamant they are not liable to make the roof weatherproof ~(as it had been when we went into the dealership). We have asked Consumer Protection who said we should try the garage again as they felt it should not have been left in a worse condition than when we entered the premises. The garage have continued to decline to make good the damage.
Are we being unreasonable to have our car returned to us in a worse condition than when it went in?
How best to proceed?
One solution seems to have the roof sealed by a bodyshop - at our expense it seems.
The fly in the ointment is that we are due to use the car to go on holiday in 10 days time!
We will have a secondhand one fitted, once we find one. Seems it is a rare part...!
Any advice gladly welcome!
Cheers, James Read more
Cheers, very helpful.
We have contacted Citroen UK who seem concerned that one of their dealers has acted like this, and are promising action within 24 hrs - I think my wife turned on the waterworks.
Good idea about a paper trail, although given the time frame maybe a bit tight for this week - but excellent idea and worth doing.
The £68 hours charge was stated when we booked the car in for the check in the first place, and yes we suspect that we weren't charged this to avoid a paper trail on their part as to what happened. And indeed the service manager I spoke to later said that as we hadn't been charged he felt that that was a sign of their good service!
I have spoken to our insurers / legal helpline who say as it isn't an accident they aren't interested at the moment.
The fabric is still attached to the frame, it is the sunroof frame which is no longer tight against the bodywork frame underneath. It isn't 'locked down' like it was, lifts in the wind and is noisy and lets in water / wind when not desired! You could continue to push the frame back while operating the motor (which is what the garage did) and actually have the roof open as normal, but you can't then close it and make it weatherproof.
So the roof now has lots of duct tape trying to hold it down, and prayers from me!
The insurance company have finally sent the cheque for my written off Pug, now I am wondering what happens with the V5 etc (if anything), there has been nothing in any letter from them about sending anything off, I havent a clue.
Any ideas?
Thanks
CBG
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you would have to read hj"s page in the DT last saturday
Hi my car cut out while driving and will now not start the engine turns over but will not catch I dont think it's fuel blockage as there was no choking before it stopped it briefly started but as soon as i drove off the engine died has any body got any ideas thanks Read more
sorry mate it's 1997
Just back (yesterday) fuelling using 95 Ron. Highest price was 1 euro 42 cents on Autoroute, lowest was 1 Euro 21 cents at SuperU. A hint; if you have a European mapped sat nav with you, get off the autoroute to refuel, and ask your satnav to find the nearest fuel station (My Garmin's really good at this) Best to leave autoroute at a town (when they become free) and sometimes you can see a Centre Commercial which usually has at least one big super/hyper market to head towards. On a 50 litre fill that's a £9.00 saving, which is not to be sniffed at!
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If you use mobile broadband it will cost you more than any saving you could make with the lower price .. but find free wifi eg MacDonalds, Accor hotels etc and the info is free!
As for passport, I've travelled across a lot of France over they years, never needed to show passport when buying fuel, there was a time some stations would not accept non French cards but nowadays wih PIN cards I've never had problems.
I've decided it's time to buy my first car rather than accepting hand me downs.
I've been reading guides about what too look out for but I can't help thinking the theory is different to practice.
I'm looking at a Primera and an Accord, both private sales for about £2-2.5k. Should I get an inspection done by a professional, or is it not worth it at this price range?
Cheers Read more
I think the RAC and AA both do them and they cost about £150, they checklist looks pretty full, more than I'd be able to do.
I've read that getting a local mechanic can be a better option but unfortunately I don't know any, I could look in the yellow pages, however, I wouldn't know how trustworthy they are.
I'm currently driving around Oz in a rented Nissan Tiida (petrol). Every time I go to fill it up the regular unleaded petrol at most of the pumps is only 91 RON grade. Should I be seeking out the sole pump on each forecourt that pumps 95 RON super unleaded, or can I presume that all petrol cars in Oz are built/tuned for the rougher stuff? Am I mis-fuelling?! Car runs OK - as well as you'd expect a 1.8 slushmatic to perform anyway. Handbook is useless... TIA, Read more
Many thanks for the reassurances. The car has run fine in the 2000-odd KM I've driven so far, from Brisbane northwards. Apart from the dodgy fuel gauge which loses its first quarter after a fill within 50km of the fill-up... (Which partly sparked my fuel quality worry!)
Wouldn't fancy hitting a 'roo in it though, bit tinny..!
I have an 08 VW Tiguan which on Tuesday came to a shuddering stop apparently due to the rear diff failing anyone heard of this before Garage are saying no parts available in country awaiting update from them Read more
My daughter has a V reg Almera. Laff if you like but she's had it 6 years and only needed tyres, battery and a couple of shocks replaced. Until now that is. Last MOT is needed welding on the rear ends of the sills - common problem I hear, and now needs work on the brakes and other bits and pieces.
She's getting fed up with receiving bills. Any thoughts on whether its worth keeping for a bit longer.
If not, what to replace it with. She likes the way it drives, so I have half suggested she looks at a Focus or a Mazda 3. The Almera's done 100k. Personally I reckon its got life left in it for a couple of more years, especially as I'd have to lend her the cash for whatever replaces it.
The Nissan was £3.5k 6 years ago so its done pretty well. Read more
You have to decide what are repairs and what are running costs you'd get doing the same mileage in the newer vehicle. Welding clearly is specific to the older car, but pads/discs, exhausts etc will need doing on old/new vehicles alike for the same mileage.
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