How long is too long for repair

Snowedunder · 6 November 2016 at 4:48PM

Bought a 2013 Fiat 500L from Local (large, but not chain) Garage. At first test drive was told remote control did not work as it just needed a battery. Arranged finance through garage and pick up was 4 days time, at which time I was told when they went to insert new battery all the 'inards' of the remote were missing and they would arrange with the Fiat dealership at their expense. I waited 2 weeks to be informed fob had arrived, then 'phoned my self and was told it had arrived several days earlier, I then had to make an appointment with Fiat dealership to take the car and have to new fob computerised to the car. After an hour at the Fiat dealership I was told by the mechanic that the wrong key fob had been delivered, but in any case, there was a bigger problem with the computer which needed to be dealt with first - he thought I was just a private owner, and did not realise this was warranty work. By the time I had driven to the purchase garage and they 'phoned him the story changed to it just being the wrong keyfob, nothing mentioned about the computer!

I arranged for a couple of 'minor' repairs, ie reversing censors permenantly beeping etc. to be done whilst waiting for the new key fob, and within a couple of weeks the work was done, however, I now only had one working key fob when there were originally two due to them only re programming one.
Which I discovered a couple of days later when trying to use the second key which unlocked the car, but would not turn over the engine.

Moving on, there were continuing problems which were eventually diagnosed as probable computer faults and I asked the purchasing garage to arrange for repairs, I was going away and needed it done prior to trip - because the work was to be done by Fiat dealership this could not be arranged.

Whilst on my holiday, the car failed with warning lights etc. Called RAC who said it was a major computer fault and it was towed to the ferry port, so my holiday ended 2 days early, I could not hire a vehicle as I had 2 dogs and some luggage , hence RAC would not take me either so all in all a real problem.

The car went immediately to Fiat on 17th October where it was diagnosed as a computer Module, and to this date they are telling me they are having trouble getting supplies from Italy, I have a small courtesy vehicle, but following a telephone call on 2nd of November still no information of when my car with be repaired.

What, if any, rights do I have, car is on finance so should I contact them with a view to suspending payment, or what - some advice would be helpful.

Tothepoint. · 6 November 2016 at 4:51PM

When did you buy it?

almillar · 7 November 2016 at 4:06PM

Whilst you're driving around in their courtesy car, you're costing them money, so it's in their best interest to work as fast as they can. To answer your question, I'd say a month, if you're being kept well informed.