Arnold Clark. Help me nail them to the wall.

Jessiska

Good evening.

Two weeks ago I took my Mini Cooper D to Arnold Clark for it's final service under the 2 year service plan that I didn't want but didn't seem to get an opt out to (long story). Last years service was a nightmare, I took it to the Salford branch of AC where I had purchased the car. They found a massively expensive fault and also left a socket inside the cars engine. It was a really crap experience. To top it all off the first time I hit the motorway after the service it became very clear that my engine undertray was flapping around under the car. I pulled off to have a look and a local garage (national tyre and autocentre near the Chorley exit on the m61. Legends) and they put it on the lift and showed me that the screws had not been put back. They repaired it FREE!! I thanked them and also emailed the company to commend them.

Fast forward to this morning. I am on my first motorway trip since my service (which I opted to have at the Wigan branch of AC as I couldn't face the Salford branch again) and low and behold that familiar sound of a loose engine tray flapping in the wind...

This time it's really badly damaged as I was 40 miles from home when I discovered the problem and there aren't many garages open on Sundays.

Can I make them pay for a new one? I will be going in first thing tomorrow. I am fuming. It's been taped up to get me to Wigan without any further damage. I love my car but Arnold Clark have been the worst garage I have even dealt with.

societys_child

Can I make them pay for a new one?

Wouldn't think so, as it's now been interfered with by a third party. You'll have to see what they say.

Jessiska

That was last year. This time it is after their service. Nobody has touched it except me with some gaffer tape.

sevenhills

Jessiska wrote: »

loose engine tray flapping in the wind...

I understand many garages don't put them back on, as they are not really needed. Same with the top engine cover, my top cover is in my shed.

Jessiska

It was in when it went in and I expected it to be on when it came out. I don't really need a parcel shelf but they didn't take that.

It isn't fastened down properly anymore so pieces are breaking off when I travel at even low speeds which is dangerous to other road users.

There are also some aerodynamic and engine cleanliness reasons to have an engine tray.

EdGasketTheSecond

I'd be more worried about whether they put the oil drain plug back correctly and tightened the filter than about an undercar shield. Have you checked for oil leaks?

tacpot12

Jessiska wrote: »

Good evening.

They found a massively expensive fault and also left a socket inside the cars engine.

Would you have rather that they didn't find the fault and let is cause further damage to the car?

In future, if the garage says the car is faulty, ask whether the car can be driven with the fault. If it can, drive it away and get competative quotes for any repair. If the garage advises not to drive the car with the fault, ask to be shown the problem and get online to establish how much it should cost to fix the problem and don't let the garage stitch you up - they have a problem too if you can't remove your vehicle, so negotiate on the price to get it fixed.

You can ask the Wigan branch to replace your undertray. They might refuse, but if you point out how much you have spent with them via the service plan and that it was their fault, I think they should replace it. Ask to see the Service Manager when you arrive. If the Service staff ask what it is about, just say "I have a complaint and want to discuss it with the Service Manager". Basically you want them to remove the damaged tray, order a new one and fit it once it comes in. You won't want to travel there twice, but they are not going to have a spare one in stock so you will probably have to accept this overhead to get a new tray.

If the Service Manager keeps you hanging around, ask for a coffee and find a comfortable chair, ideally in front of another manager's office or somewhere where you are in the way. The other manager may be curious why you are sitting outside of their office and ask you if they can help - you could ask them to remind the service manager that you are waiting to see them!

Convince the Service Manager that you have all day to wait on their pleasure (even if you don't) and they will come around to having to negotiate something in order to get you to leave. If they won't, I would start shouting; something like "So this is how AC treat customers? AC have broken my car, and now won't fix it?" Just rant on for a couple of minutes and it should cause enough embarrassment to get you a new undertray. The main thing is, you need to avoid making it personal. You want to Service Manager to understand that your problem is with AC not them personally. They ARE the only route to getting what you want so try to not make it personal.

EdGasketTheSecond

Less hassle to service it yourself if you ask me.

Herzlos

Is the under tray damaged? I had similar problems years ago because the under tray had broken around some of the mounting points so no amount of tightening held it on.

Definitely take it back in to fix and correct it, and get them to check for damage.

Then find someone competent to do the servicing in future.