Car Damaged at National Tires

bluebiro

Last Wednesday I took my Citroen C5 to national tires in Redcar to get the rear tires changed.

When i returned after an hour the tires had been changed but i noticed the rear suspension was raised to maximum height, The 'mechanic' said this would reset as i drove for a bit, i took it round the block with no improvement then took the car straight back to National.

The branch manager then told me these things happen, after I refused to accept this he said to leave it and he would look at it, he then proceeded to undo the sealed hydraulic unit causing the front suspension to lock down. I left it the rest of the day as they said they would fix it. By the end of the day all suspension was so low they could not get it off the ramp.

After some dispute with the regional manager hanging up on me after i said i would like to get some advice on my rights they have taken it to a citroen garage, but they have said they will not cover repairs or even the rental car I have had to get to go to work with while they have it.

Please could someone let me know if there is anything I can do about this or do I just suck it up and try to cover the cost myself.

On a personal note I took the car in because I was meant to be taking the family away this weekend coming and wanted to make sure the tires were going to be good enough for a long journey, now not sure whats going to happen.


TLTR Looking for advice on car repairs caused by National tyres.

arcon5

How can removing rear wheels affect the suspension in the first place??

Why have they sent it to a dealer if they won't pay? That will no doubt cost an arm and a couple of legs.

If they damaged the sealed hydraulics system I don't see how they can claim they are not liable for fixing it

skivenov

arcon5 wrote: »

How can removing rear wheels affect the suspension in the first place??

Guessing they left it sat on a 2 post lift with the engine running for half the morning.

bluebiro

arcon5 Citroens have hydraulic suspension, I am guessing they jacked the car straight off but they should of raised the hydraulics to full height first, they are denying they did this but from doing a few hours of internet searches I have found this to be a common cause.

Luckily I have hound out I am covered with a parts and labour policy that came with my car, all I have to pay now is the cost of a rental and £50 excess.

I don't believe that I am responsible for this but on weighing up the costs and time involved with chasing this I would rather pay the £100 total and chalk it up to experience.

Though saying that I will make it my business too put every person I know from going to national tyres in the future.