Transport when car is getting repaired.

ripplyuk

Could anyone tell me if the bigger dealerships will provide a hire car if you leave your own car in to be repaired? My partner's car just failed its MOT and needs quite a lot of repairs but he can't afford to miss work and has no other way to get there. It's a rural area and there are no buses. I'd appreciate hearing how other people cope with this. Do most people just pay to hire a car or take off work?

Stooby2

If it's not work under warranty you're very much relying on the generosity of the dealer / repairer. They may provide a courtesy car, but it's not usual. The only way to find out is to ask them!

forgotmyname

If they wont provide a curtesy car you need to hire or borrow one.

One thing i always asked before booking a service. I require a curtesy car.

londonTiger

main dealers will have complimentary curtosy cars for big jobs like cambelts. At least that is the case for VAG.

keith1950

Most courtesy cars are prebooked for several days ahead, so a main dealer might provide you with one for a day but you would normally have to wait until they can do the work.

Is the car useable until they can start the repairs ?

Also bear in mind that if you use the garages insurance there will be at least a £250 excess although you can usually transfer your own insurance over for the day. Your insurance might make a small charge for that ( £20 or so.).

Some dealers also have special rates with the likes of Enterprise so they may be able to assist you to get a reduced rate hire car if you need a car for more than one day.

neilmcl

If the dealer can't provide a courtesy car, probably because it'll be too short notice, then ask if they run a pick-up/drop-off service.

OddballJamie

Can't they drop the car off early, slip the keys through the letter box and get a lift back off a family member?

In the past when I've used small garages that needed the car all day I've taken my bike in the boot and cycled home.

Prothet_of_Doom

This is what I have done at times in the past.

Arranged a lift with a work mate (who came 10 miles out of his way, so adding 18 miles to his journey)
Got a bus, and got the work late, and worked late and got bus home (with permission from my boss)
Used my wife's car, and had to take her to work in the wrong direction first and then she had to get a bus to my parents, to wait, until I picked he up.
Made my wife drive me to work in her PJ's (Not good because some fool drove into the back of her, and she had to be recovered.
Taxi
Train (Left house at 5am, as usual, and got to work at 10 am just 3 hours later than normal)
Bike in the boot of car. Drop car off, assemble wheels back onto bike, cycle to work. (A bit painful when they ring up and say it's NOT fixed, and you now have 15 miles to cycle rather than 2 miles to the garage)
Spare car (Currently have 3 in the family)

TrickyWicky

Been in that situation a few times unfortunately with no colleagues to grab a lift with due to where I live.

Best things to try are emergency annual leave. If that fails and you're feeling stressed, go see the doc and get signed off. I know that sounds bad but if you're in the **** then you're in the **** and worrying and panicking will only make it worse so best to get signed off and chill. Just be sure your employer provides sick pay before doing so or you'll end up in the **** again.

Spare cars are always good though, doesn't need to be anything special, just something small but reliable, easy to look after and cheap to run. When the main car finds itself in difficulty then book it in and use the smaller one. Thats hard on a tight budget but it does save you a lot of stress.

londonTiger

I used a indy mechanic and took the bus last time. You can use zipcar to make essential short trips.

Weird_Nev

I just cycled 25km back form the garage, and am now carless for 2 days with my 2 year olfd whilst my car is getting fixed.

Dunno why I'm telling you lot. Probably just after sympathy.

I think I'd hire a car if I had to get to work and no courtesy car was available.