Author Topic: Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer  (Read 1711 times)

Offline smithian

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Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer
« on: 15 February 2010, 11:38 »
Hi all.

I need some advise on what to do about the following.. Apologies for the long post but I wanted to detail all the facts.

I recently crashed my car into a curb which bent the front right wheel back. Decided not to go through the insurance due to the excess cost and put it in to the stealer for diagnosis. They came back straight way and said I needed a new wish bone and 4 wheel alignment, so I went ahead. The day the car went in they ran me to say that VW recommended that both wishbones are changed t the same time and as this was there mistake they'd fit the other for free (Id just need to pay for the part. Total cost £380. When I got the car back it was obvious the repair hadn't worked as the wheel wasn't back ion alignment, so I complained as was told I'd bent my sub frame which they couldn't help with. I logged a complaint with VW directly and they suggested I put the car back in which I did. The next diagnosis was I needed a new front wheel baring (it was a little nosey) and that they still couldn't do anything about the wheel alignment (camber). I negotiated price and had the baring done. Total cost £186) On receiving the car back I started getting the steering wheel light come on the dash board. I put it back in and was told the steering wheel angle sensor was faulty. Had this replaced at a cost of £145 (again negotiated price), when I got it back I was still getting the same dashboard error light, so it went back in. Diagnosis this time was I needed a new steering alignment sensor which was embedded in the steering rack and was unchangeable, so I needed a new rack and another 4 wheel alignment. Went back and forth with the stealer and VW to ensure that If I had this done it was solve all my issues and that if it didn't I'd have some comeback. After a lot of discussion and negotiating, I put it in for the rack change at a cost of £1100 and when I got the car back everything was fixed, including the wheel alignment. So either I bent the rack or the work needed to replace the rack put everything back in to place.  The customer service rep happened to mention that he thought that the wishbones were not needed and they'd made a mistake but wouldn't offer a refund, so I followed up with the manager who refused to speak to me, so I then followed up with VW in the hope they could help but it's been a week now and they nor the dealership have contacted me.

So to date I've spent £1811 to get the car fixed and I'm concerned that the wishbones and steering angle sensor where misdiagnosed and therefore paid for in error and to be honest, the stealer and VW have both been pretty usless...

Anyone had any similar experiences or any recommendations on what to do next? Some at work suggested writing to What Car!

Offline Rhyso

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Re: Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer
« Reply #1 on: 15 February 2010, 11:43 »
Don't bother with the magazines......

Get in touch with your local Trading Standards - explain you've tried contacting the manager to discuss this but he has refused to speak to you (they take a very dim view of that!!)

They will give you the best advice as to whether or not you have a valid case in claiming mis-diagnosis.

i would have though a bent sub-frame / steering rack would have been fairly easy to spot with the car up on the ramps

Also i would have though the 4 wheel alignment would have picked up the problem

Best of luck  :smiley:

Offline Gene Hunt.

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Re: Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer
« Reply #2 on: 15 February 2010, 14:07 »
As above mate trading standards,worked with me ages ago when MG Rover went tits up.  :wink:
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Offline mr magoo

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Re: Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer
« Reply #3 on: 23 February 2010, 20:22 »
Sue!

Offline Hurdy

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Re: Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer
« Reply #4 on: 23 February 2010, 20:34 »
Suing a company depends on whether you want to keep a working relationship with the dealer or not. If not then consult trading standards and sue. If you want to keep working relationships open still go to them, but only seek advice initially and then see the dealer in question, talk to them and see if you can come to an agreement. :smiley:
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Offline Wayne

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Re: Advice Needed - Failed repair by Stealer
« Reply #5 on: 26 February 2010, 11:17 »
Try Trading standards first.