car mechanic woes need advice

shamshell29

I owned a 01 mazda 121 which failed nct on minor faults so i brought it to a registered mechanic to be repaired.
I then got a phone call to tell me that they had repaired my car but had then crashed it (very dubious about this having seen damage is to 3 sides of the car) and the cost of having it fixed would be more than to have it replaced so they offered to replace my car.
The car i was given was a 03 renault clio which agreed was worth more than my old car and i also had to pay the 250 for the repairs on the previous car however within a week of getting my new car she developed a mechanical fault and would not start.
I rang and got the mechanic out who said it was the battery and a sensor however he fiddled around with a few wires underneath the engine before even he could get it going and blamed it on the car being flooded so we r dubious about this also as other numerous problems r cropping up.
The car was left running to charge and in this time it locked itself while still running and keys in the admission, on the dashboard the fog light indicator keeps coming on when braking or indicating.
So i told the mechanic all of this and said the car should not be like this and asked is he going to fix it he said the car locking itself is caused by the battery (dont ask me how a battery can cause this) so i said well are u gonna replace the battery to which he then got defensive and started throwing at me how i got a good car out of it and how well i done which i dont agree with as i would rather have my old car that only had maintenance issue and never gave me a days trouble than a newer one that breaks down within a week of getting it now.

What i need to know is what is my rights here as i dont feel like i should be forking out for repairs on a car i've had a week due to no fault of my own please if you could help i would be very grateful.

barura

So you were getting a car fixed, they gave you a car and you are wondering what to do next?

You should ask them for your old car back, if that was the deal you made for a car with no problems.

If the goods he gave you were not as described, you should be able to get your old car back, plus a refund.

Finally, could you please write any further messages with punctuation? Not many people are going to read that pile of text the way it is. I'm not picking on you, it's just that if you want help, you should at least get your point across in a format that is easier to read.

shamshell29

im sorry but i am new to this and quite understandably upset over my car so i apoligize if i did not post correctly, having my new car back would be useless to me as he crashed it and wrote the car off so dont see how that would help

vetstu

As barura said, use punctuation. My head hurts after reading that post.

apoeiguq3094y

I think your best bet might be to get the value of your original car in cash, and buy a car from a trusted garage witha guarantee etc. By the sounds of it, you will have serious problems with this replacement. This mechanic sounds like a bit of a cowboy.

As an aside - sentences end with full stops. Your posts are really hard to read.

barura

shamshell29 wrote: »

im sorry but i am new to this and quite understandably upset over my car so i apoligize if i did not post correctly, having my new car back would be useless to me as he crashed it and wrote the car off so dont see how that would help

Jesus! I missed that part!

He should not have crashed your car, I'd be pushing for getting a lawyer involved if they crashed your car while supposedly working on it, it's their responsibility to fix it! Though if you accepted the other car as it was and it developed the faults after you accepted it, I think you might be under the age old saying of "buyer beware". I'm sorry, but I don't see how you can get out of the problem.

Sounds like the electrics are messy in the Clio, I don't know enough on that car to advise you in the correct manner as to repairing it, or the cost.

I hope that's of some use to you. Sorry I cannot be of any more help.

shamshell29

As i said previously i am new to this but now hope it reads a little easier

barura

shamshell29 wrote: »

As i said previously i am new to this but now hope it reads a little easier

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it.

shamshell29

I agree i accepted the car which makes things a little sticky however i do think that the car breaking down after 7 days is a little bit much.

He was very pushy about trying to get things dealt with saying he didnt want his reputation tarnished.

But surely it cant be good for his rep to crash my car then replace it with a faulty one and expect me to pay to fix it with money i dont have.

thanks for all the advice

MugMugs

Leave off lads. If you can't read it without punctuation then don't read it.

Op - Go back and ask for your Mazda back. The intact version. I wouldn't personally rate a clio as a good replacement. Then go to a solicitor and sue him for a working car equal in value to what you had and any inconvenience you've suffered as a result. This is his problem, not yours.

slimjimmc

barura wrote: »

Jesus! I missed that part!

He should not have crashed your car, I'd be pushing for getting a lawyer involved if they crashed your car while supposedly working on it, it's their responsibility to fix it! Though if you accepted the other car as it was and it developed the faults after you accepted it, I think you might be under the age old saying of "buyer beware". I'm sorry, but I don't see how you can get out of the problem.

Sounds like the electrics are messy in the Clio, I don't know enough on that car to advise you in the correct manner as to repairing it, or the cost.

I hope that's of some use to you. Sorry I cannot be of any more help.

The electrics may or may not be faulty, a low battery charge can cause all sorts of weird electrical behaviours on many cars. Hard to say until the battery is fully charged and holding that charge.

barura

slimjimmc wrote: »

The electrics may or may not be faulty, a low battery charge can cause all sorts of weird electrical behaviours on many cars. Hard to say until the battery is fully charged and holding that charge.

Like I said, don't know much about Clio's.

OP should charge the battery so as a first port of call then? Perhaps it would make more sense for the mechanic to explain why stuff went wrong, rather than having to come on here and finding out in a very roundabout way...

shamshell29

yes i agree but the mechanic wasnt very helpful when it came to explaining things just basically seems like he wants the problem to go away.

barura

Going by what slimjimmc said, I think that could be the problem. Maybe your mechanic was having a bad day? I know, he shouldn't, customer comes first and all that... But in fairness we're only human.

Try charging the battery with a battery charger, the mechanic should have one. He'll probably let you do it for free, I would say.

At any rate, if you now own a 03 Renault Clio, you are a step up from a Mazda 121 from 2001. If you dislike the car, sell it on and get another mazda 121 or Ford fiesta, seeing as they are the same car in effect.

I do hope you get your problem sorted.

shamshell29

well at the moment the car is running since whatever the mechanic done to it this morning and i assume that driving it round for half hour should have charged the battery up sufficiently and she is starting with no difficulties.

Now i dont know much about cars and maybe the battery is on its way out but i thought if the battery was at the end of its life it wouldnt charge at all.

When the mechanic was trying it this morning with jump leads the battery was getting power but the car was still not starting, maybe not enough power?

However the dashboard faults are still there with the car running.

Its not that im not happy with the car i am when its working but its no use to me sitting out there not going anywhere and when i first went to him i had a car that was running perfectly apart from maintanence issues.

barura

shamshell29 wrote: »

well at the moment the car is running since whatever the mechanic done to it this morning and i assume that driving it round for half hour should have charged the battery up sufficiently and she is starting with no difficulties.

Now i dont know much about cars and maybe the battery is on its way out but i thought if the battery was at the end of its life it wouldnt charge at all.

When the mechanic was trying it this morning with jump leads the battery was getting power but the car was still not starting, maybe not enough power?

However the dashboard faults are still there with the car running.

Its not that im not happy with the car i am when its working but its no use to me sitting out there not going anywhere and when i first went to him i had a car that was running perfectly apart from maintanence issues.

Does the clio have an NCT?

shamshell29

and just on that thought shouldnt the mechanic be able to test the battery to see if its the problem with one of them meters, i wonder why this wasnt done this morning?

shamshell29

Yes is nct'd til feb 2013, was tested back in april according to the nct disc.

barura

Sell it for 2500 euro, get another Mazda 121 or something else and make a profit?

You're in a very strong position once the battery gets changed/fixed. I think you just need to get the car fixed and either live with it or sell it on. Talking to your mechanic is the only solution at this stage, I think.

500sel

" i brought it to a registered mechanic to be repaired"
When you say he is registered, what do you mean? Who is he regestered with? Is it a SIMI garage?

shamshell29

Having took all your advice, i went and got battery and sensor replaced, and great my car was working again.

Then low and behold 2 days before christmas i popped into shop and when i came out the car wouldnt start.

The car is not turning over nothing is happening, all the warning lights are coming on with ignition but there is nothing not a sound out of her.

So i am coming to you looking for advice yet again as i will be unable to get a mechanic to look at her til after the new year

flinders

Have you thought about maybe trying to fix the car yourself?

Stheno

Have you had the car jump started to see if it's the battery?

shamshell29

i wouldnt have a lot of knowledge at cars myself so wouldnt attempt to fix it, but was hoping for some advice before i brought it back to mechanic again, the only suggestion i have had so far is that it could be the starter motor

shamshell29

yep the car will not jump start it will only bump start

Stheno

starter motor then possibly, not a hugely expensive thing to fix

shamshell29

thx, if it were the starter would that be covered under an engine warranty or is it classed as electrical?

Stheno

shamshell29 wrote: »

thx, if it were the starter would that be covered under an engine warranty or is it classed as electrical?

Electrical I'd imagine.

padma

just a quick one for you, have you two keys for the car? try the other key if you do and see if it works

shamshell29

thx, i have also tried this with no luck, and checked the immobiliser warning light which is normal

shamshell29

hi all,

coming back for more advice lol,

The last fault turned out to be the starter motor which left me 130 poorer but at least she was going again.

But now its become a disaster!!! last week the indicators started acting funny, first the right indicator indicated left instead of right and then it just started indicating left no matter what position i had it in including the nutruel position on the stick in other words never turns off.

I brought it to a mechanic(not the same one i got it off) who has checked the switch, back light and earth wires to no avail. He also rang round numerous garages including the local renault dealer and all have said the same that they think my onboard computer(uch i think its called) is up the creek.

Im at my wits end, to bring it to a renault dealer to be fixed will cost me hundreds, for a car i never wanted in the first place!!!! In the 4 months i have had the car i think she has only been on the road for 2 of them in total.

I am not sure what advice you can give me but anything at all would be helpful as i am completly lost as to what to do next.

thanks

Hippo

Consult a solicitor.

Jesus Shaves

shamshell29 wrote: »

hi all,

coming back for more advice lol,

The last fault turned out to be the starter motor which left me 130 poorer but at least she was going again.

But now its become a disaster!!! last week the indicators started acting funny, first the right indicator indicated left instead of right and then it just started indicating left no matter what position i had it in including the nutruel position on the stick in other words never turns off.

I brought it to a mechanic(not the same one i got it off) who has checked the switch, back light and earth wires to no avail. He also rang round numerous garages including the local renault dealer and all have said the same that they think my onboard computer(uch i think its called) is up the creek.

Im at my wits end, to bring it to a renault dealer to be fixed will cost me hundreds, for a car i never wanted in the first place!!!! In the 4 months i have had the car i think she has only been on the road for 2 of them in total.

I am not sure what advice you can give me but anything at all would be helpful as i am completly lost as to what to do next.

thanks

my advice firstly would be to check the connectors and cables running into the ECU before you go replacing it
If cleaning them etc doesn't replace them then go to a scrap yard and try to get an ECU for a 03 clio there, you could also get your ECU sent off to get repaired, wouldn't bother with Renault.

But before all that you could get a diagnostics test done on the car, should cost around €25, that will tell you if the ECU is faulty instead of mechanics and Renault guessing.

jimmyw

shamshell29 wrote: »

I owned a 01 mazda 121 which failed nct on minor faults so i brought it to a registered mechanic to be repaired.
I then got a phone call to tell me that they had repaired my car but had then crashed it (very dubious about this having seen damage is to 3 sides of the car) and the cost of having it fixed would be more than to have it replaced so they offered to replace my car.
The car i was given was a 03 renault clio which agreed was worth more than my old car and

• i also had to pay the 250 for the repairs on the previous car
  however within a week of getting my new car she developed a mechanical fault and would not start.
  I rang and got the mechanic out who said it was the battery and a sensor however he fiddled around with a few wires underneath the engine before even he could get it going and blamed it on the car being flooded so we r dubious about this also as other numerous problems r cropping up.
  The car was left running to charge and in this time it locked itself while still running and keys in the admission, on the dashboard the fog light indicator keeps coming on when braking or indicating.
  So i told the mechanic all of this and said the car should not be like this and asked is he going to fix it he said the car locking itself is caused by the battery (dont ask me how a battery can cause this) so i said well are u gonna replace the battery to which he then got defensive and started throwing at me how i got a good car out of it and how well i done which i dont agree with as i would rather have my old car that only had maintenance issue and never gave me a days trouble than a newer one that breaks down within a week of getting it now.
  
  What i need to know is what is my rights here as i dont feel like i should be forking out for repairs on a car i've had a week due to no fault of my own please if you could help i would be very grateful.

It sounds to me like they wanted to get shot of this piece of junk (Clio) and so pawned it off on you:rolleyes:.I dont know why you had to pay for the repairs to your own car, and then they damaged it.They should have fixed their damage and only then you could pay for the original repairs, otherwise no payment.

You really should not have accepted that other yoke.I would say hand it back to them and get some legal advice.I know you didnt know what it was like before hand.


Does you insurance not cover you while a garage are repairing it, or is that only for "accidents" with a third party? Anyway they sound dodgy.

Syllabus

shamshell29 wrote: »

im sorry but i am new to this and quite understandably upset over my car so i apoligize if i did not post correctly, having my new car back would be useless to me as he crashed it and wrote the car off so dont see how that would help

i had no problem reading the post

Syllabus

barura wrote: »

Going by what slimjimmc said, I think that could be the problem. Maybe your mechanic was having a bad day? I know, he shouldn't, customer comes first and all that... But in fairness we're only human.

Try charging the battery with a battery charger, the mechanic should have one. He'll probably let you do it for free, I would say.

At any rate, if you now own a 03 Renault Clio, you are a step up from a Mazda 121 from 2001. If you dislike the car, sell it on and get another mazda 121 or Ford fiesta, seeing as they are the same car in effect.

I do hope you get your problem sorted.

any year clio is in no way a better car than a mazda 121:eek:

french scrappers are all well known for having earth issues with rear lights. this is most likely your fog light issue

imo - give the clio back and get the value of the mazda in cash and buy another one

shamshell29

hi,

thanks for all the advice, i have been in contact with the renault dealer and even to get it diognosed gonna cost me 85 euro an hour plus vat!

Sadly i only have 3rd party fire and theft on my insurance so am not covered for repairs on it.

I am certainly looking into my rights on this, its gone beyond a joke at this stage with this car, not only am i out a car now, i have had to pay for previous repairs and repairs on this one not to mention the personal incovenience and upset that has been involved.

will keep my post updated hopefully i can find out some good news soon

Jesus Shaves

shamshell29 wrote: »

hi,

thanks for all the advice, i have been in contact with the renault dealer and even to get it diognosed gonna cost me 85 euro an hour plus vat!

Try ringing Renault garages in towns near you, Go doing that mine done for €25 by doing that.
Got my diagnostics done in Portlaoise if that's any good to you

slimjimmc

shamshell29 wrote: »

hi,

thanks for all the advice, i have been in contact with the renault dealer and even to get it diognosed gonna cost me 85 euro an hour plus vat!

Sadly i only have 3rd party fire and theft on my insurance so am not covered for repairs on it.

I am certainly looking into my rights on this, its gone beyond a joke at this stage with this car, not only am i out a car now, i have had to pay for previous repairs and repairs on this one not to mention the personal incovenience and upset that has been involved.

will keep my post updated hopefully i can find out some good news soon

Normal motor insurance does not cover mechanical or electrical failure anyway so a comprehensive policy won't help you with repair costs. Even if your insurance included breakdown cover all it'll do is pay the cost of recovery to a garage and perhaps a night in a hotel or a taxi to your destination.

jimmyw

What I was wondering is that on most insurance policies it says something along the lines of, "liability to the motor trade during the upkeep or repair of a vehicle"

or words to that effect.In other words if they (the garage) had an accident, but it might only cover to third parties or damage to property, not in this case?

jimmyw

slimjimmc wrote: »

Normal motor insurance does not cover mechanical or electrical failure anyway so a comprehensive policy won't help you with repair costs. Even if your insurance included breakdown cover all it'll do is pay the cost of recovery to a garage and perhaps a night in a hotel or a taxi to your destination.

I had an electrical fire on a car I used to have and I got compo for it a few years ago, not before jumping through hoops first though.Its not the norm though, I agree.

slimjimmc

jimmyw wrote: »

What I was wondering is that on most insurance policies it says something along the lines of, "liability to the motor trade during the upkeep or repair of a vehicle"

or words to that effect.In other words if they (the garage) had an accident, but it might only cover to third parties or damage to property, not in this case?

Axa policy states they will not cover 3rd party liability should someone in the motor trade drive my car while it is being repaired or serviced. i.e. if a mechanic crashes my car into another car my insurance won't cover the 3rd party liability. Presumably the mechanic is supposed to have his own insurance.

jimmyw wrote: »

I had an electrical fire on a car I used to have and I got compo for it a few years ago, not before jumping through hoops first though.Its not the norm though, I agree.

That's only because you had a fire and it was covered under your fire and theft clause. If there was no fire your insurance would not have covered cost of the repairs to your electrics. The OP can't claim against his insurance for all the problems with the Clio.