Technical Why diagnostic tests

[spidermania]

@IvyAmy,

We feel your frustration and fear over across the pond Ivy, it's a shameful indictment of society how the pensioners are viewed and treated. While I'm not as old I still fall into that category and as soon as I get out of the car and waddle around to the rear to get my cane they smile and rub their hands thinking I've got money and prepare a plan to gouge me into extreme poverty.

We want you to know over here we are rooting for you and hope there is some organization over there that can help you. They are trying to take advantage of you and purposely sabotage your car to gouge you for more money.
When I go into the shops now I purposely let them see it and they know at my age I have nothing to lose. I'll mount an insanity defense.

 

[jrkitching]

Sorry to hear that this isn't working out well.

Let's get a few facts clear, so that we can better advise you.

1. Does the car now appear to be working correctly?

2. How old is it

3. What , if any, warranty do you have on it.

 

[jrkitching]

They are trying to take advantage of you and purposely sabotage your car to gouge you for more money.

There is no suggestion that they have deliberately sabotaged the OP's car.

This is far more likely to be down to simple plain incompetence.

But they're clearly showing no signs of taking responsibility for what they've done.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Write to them and ask for a meeting with the dealer principal and the after sakes and customer services director. This is what I did with a major issue and it worked. When the top people were together they wanted a resolution and we found one. Ask them to pay for an independant inspection RAC or AA and keep on file with a guarantee theu will resolve any future problems that are deemed related free of charge. If tey are confident there are no issues I would think this is reasonable.

I had a new car loose all its oil back in 1994. It was checked and found to have no visible damage so all is not lost. If it runss OK and is still as smooth and quiet as before I expect it will be fine. Spille dliquid often spreads and looks worse than it is.

 

[The Panda Nut]

There is no suggestion that they have deliberately sabotaged the OP's car.

This is far more likely to be down to simple plain incompetence.

But they're clearly showing no signs of taking responsibility for what they've done.

I would so like to get together with these herberts and give them some straight talking! Mistakes are made and that is life. Its what we do to put them right and make ammends thats important. Also speak to Fiat customer services and get it recorded write to them as well.

 

[jrkitching]

Its what we do to put them right and make ammends thats important.

Absolutely 100% spot on correct.

And we're not seeing any evidence yet that the garage responsible for this are in the least bit interested in doing anything to make amends.

Also speak to Fiat customer services

The OP has already told us that it was serviced by an independent garage.

Why should Fiat customer services be interested, or have any responsibility here? Unless the car were covered by some sort of manufacturer's warranty, in which case I'd expect they'd just note the details so that they could refute any engine related claim under that warranty.

 

[The Panda Nut]

The OP has already told us that it was serviced by an independent garage.

Why should Fiat customer services be interested, or have any responsibility here?

I looked and didnt see this so apologies. You are right, but asking to see the owner and making a specific request for independent inspection might still work as its a specific request, not massive cost in view of their mistake and I think not unreasonable. If the OP is near another roum member or MES holder amybe they could do a diagnostic and give a listen for reassurance. I sure would if it were in this area.

 

[portland_bill]

I'm guessing this is a small garage, but a few more details would be good to have.
As jrkitching said, post#42, those three questions are important before moving forward.
Time is important too, as if you use the vehicle, the garage may then say, all good from them, now down to you.

Is this the garage you got it from?
How long have you had it?
What warranty did you get, and when does it expire?

Speak to the RAC again. Update them.
Ask about an engineer's report. That may help determine what if any permanent damage has been done. They will also be able to get an accurate description of what went wrong, and what has been done to rectify it, and whether this is good enough. (The garage avoiding talking to you may suggest that they are trying to escape liability, knowing what may go wrong as a result.)

Your legal rights entitle you to being made whole. That could be just as done now, replace filter, top up oil, and clean the mess. Or it could be as much as a replacement car if this one is severely damaged. What, needs to be determined quickly, as further use of the vehicle may shift liability.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Hi, thank you for all your advice. I’m at my wits end. The garage returned my car yesterday without any prior knowledge. They returned the Service and Warranty book, stamped but not signed. Also the little square of what work was carried out is jot ticked. I have had not one phone call call from them since they collected her on Wed even. I’ve phoned them twice and they said they had put in the wrong filter. I don’t think I have any tears left. What should I do. Xx

You could do worse than having a chat with the citizens advice people. In my experience very helpful and knowledgeable about what you can and can't do.

So sorry you're in this situation and not a little bit ashamed and angry that these people are representing the motor trade.

 

[vexorg]

So sorry you're in this situation and not a little bit ashamed and angry that these people are representing the motor trade.

Really?? The motor trade has always has a dodgy reputation. I would say that those that genuinely do want to help are few and far between.
I'm normally more shocked to find a decent one as that's quite rare now

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Really?? The motor trade has always has a dodgy reputation. I would say that those that genuinely do want to help are free and far between.
I'm normally more shocked to find a decent one as that's quite rare now

I don't totally agree but then probably the others in the trade that I mix with are people of principle - like myself I hope. There are far too many shysters and ne'er do wells in our trade but also far too many who simply don't have the knowledge or experience to do things properly. Do we need more regulation? probably. However this has been talked about for years and the down side seems to be that you wouldn't be legally allowed to work on a vehicle unless qualified and licensed to do so which means that "driveway grease monkeys" like us and those who enjoy our "hobby" wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere near brakes, suspension or any part of a car other than to wash and polish it.