Persistent Brake Failure, Dealerships Fault -- Advice Please!

Smurf88

Bear with me; this is quite the story and I'm not so good with internal car workings!

We were given an 02 plate Peugeot 106 at Christmas time by OH's parents. As a Christmas gift, they had the car serviced and all the "advisories" fixed - this meant replacing the corroded brake pipes on the left rear. This happened at their local dealership in the South West, costing roughly £400.

In January, the left brake failed - to be specific, the pipe split where it meets the hose. We took it to our local dealership, who completed the repair work under warranty.

Since then, the exact same issue has reoccurred 3 times - with a different explanation each time. The car is currently with our local dealership, who have said to the original garage that they [the local garage] have been using a faulty tool (flaring gun) to fix the car.

I feel it is unacceptable for the garage to be putting us in danger by telling us the car is 100% when they have been using faulty/poorly maintained tools.

We also have only two more "breakdown recoveries" left for the next eight months, as we've already used four! Not to mention the time I've had to take off work to have the car recovered from home or to retrieve from the garage.

So, your advice please! What would you do in my situation? Other than not drive this particular car again... I feel we should be entitled to some form of small compensation for the stress etc. caused by the work not being carried out properly several times through no fault of our own. But I am unsure as to my rights etc.

Thank you!

EdGasket

Have you had to actually pay for any repairs? If not don't think you will get anywhere as they are fixing it each time for you at no cost which is all they are expected to do.

Smurf88

Each "repair" has been done under warranty, at no cost to us. In terms of customer service, they have been excellent. However, I was wondering whether using faulty tools would amount to negligence - it is pure luck that we haven't had an accident on any of these occasions when my foot has been flat to the floor trying to brake!

martinthebandit

Smurf88 wrote: »

.......on any of these occasions when my foot has been flat to the floor trying to brake!

Really? in an 02 plate pug? You maybe want to think about your driving style.

EdGasket

It should have dual-circuit brakes which means although the pipe failed, you should still have adequate braking from the other two wheels.

I guess you can ask the dealership about a complaints procedure and put down your grievances. They might make a goodwill gesture if the complaint goes high enough. Otherwise I don't think you will get far as they have all the evidence and as you say 'you are not good with car workings' so it would be hard for you to dispute what they might say if you take it any further e.g. small claims court.

Smurf88

Thanks EdGasket - appreciate your opinion.

AdrianC

I suspect it's more likely that the person using the pipe flaring tool is doing so wrongly. They're fairly simple and robust, but you do need to know how to form the flares and what sort of flare is required. Not exactly brain surgery, but...

Get it wrong once? Fair mistake, they happen. Get it wrong twice? Come on, guys... But three times? Seriously...? And as for four times...? FOUR? HOW? WHY?

Either way, I'd be getting the car fixed elsewhere (as it sounds as if you are), then asking nicely for my money back for the original bill, and making a mental note never to darken the door of these numpties again.

EdGasket

AdrianC wrote: »

I suspect it's more likely that the person using the pipe flaring tool is doing so wrongly. They're fairly simple and robust, but you do need to know how to form the flares and what sort of flare is required. Not exactly brain surgery, but...

Get it wrong once? Fair mistake, they happen. Get it wrong twice? Come on, guys... But three times? Seriously...? And as for four times...? FOUR? HOW? WHY?

Either way, I'd be getting the car fixed elsewhere (as it sounds as if you are), then asking nicely for my money back for the original bill, and making a mental note never to darken the door of these numpties again.

There was never any bill; do read the posts.

forgotmyname

If the same part keeps failing take the car to another garage and explain the situation and get them to have a look and see if they can pinpoint why it keeps failing.

Hintza

So to recap.

All the brake pipes were replaced

However the flair machine was faulty and/or pilot error

All 4 have now failed and been replaced.

Ergo they will be fine now.

AdrianC

EdGasket wrote: »

There was never any bill; do read the posts.

...apart from the £400 (probably including other work) the in-laws paid before gifting the car.

Hintza wrote: »

So to recap.

All the brake pipes were replaced

However the flair machine was faulty and/or pilot error

All 4 have now failed and been replaced.

Ergo they will be fine now.

I was reading it as LR was replaced, and LR has failed and been replaced three more times since. Perhaps the OP could clarify?