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Garage didn’t fix problem I came to them with... what rights do I have?

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Hiya,

My Ford Fiesta (2009) reg has been shaking when at traffic lights and then revs by itself. It also fails to accelerate suddenly within the first mile of driving it. After that, it is fine but shakes still when at the traffic lights.

The first time I thought I had broken down so called the AA who could find nothing wrong with it. I decided perhaps it was bad fuel so refuelled using premium. Problem occurred every single day since, on the way and on the way home from work. Once the car is warm it no longer occurs.

I took it to the garage who listed two possibilities and said that it was difficult as both would be continuous problems. However, they said on balance it’s the best bet to change the ignition coil pack (see how that works). They did this and the car carried on having a problem.

Next, they said to do the fuel pump. They did this and I immediately noticed the car was still shaking whilst I waited in traffic coming out of the garage. I went back in and they said there was nothing more to do.

On one hand, I came to them with a problem and now have a £300 bill and a car that is just as broken as when I took it in. On the other, im unsure if it’s just a peculiar problem and any garage would have done the same thing.

To get a second opinion I’m looking at another £130 from the ford garage to diagnose it.

Comments

  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Buttons_ wrote: »
    I took it to the garage who listed two possibilities and said that it was difficult as both would be continuous problems. However, they said on balance it’s the best bet to change the ignition coil pack (see how that works). They did this and the car carried on having a problem.

    Next, they said to do the fuel pump. They did this and I immediately noticed the car was still shaking whilst I waited in traffic coming out of the garage. I went back in and they said there was nothing more to do.

    On one hand, I came to them with a problem and now have a £300 bill and a car that is just as broken as when I took it in.
    They told you up front they were unsure of their diagnosis, and that they were going to sort what they thought were the most likely causes - you then gave them the go-ahead on that basis. So they've done exactly what they said, and what you agreed to.

    At least they were honest enough to say "Nope, now we're clueless", rather than charge you for more time and parts to continue substituting until they got lucky.
  • victor2
    victor2 Posts: 8,138 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Buttons_ wrote: »
    Hiya,

    My Ford Fiesta (2009) reg has been shaking when at traffic lights and then revs by itself. It also fails to accelerate suddenly within the first mile of driving it. After that, it is fine but shakes still when at the traffic lights.

    The first time I thought I had broken down so called the AA who could find nothing wrong with it. I decided perhaps it was bad fuel so refuelled using premium. Problem occurred every single day since, on the way and on the way home from work. Once the car is warm it no longer occurs.

    I took it to the garage who listed two possibilities and said that it was difficult as both would be continuous problems. However, they said on balance it’s the best bet to change the ignition coil pack (see how that works). They did this and the car carried on having a problem.

    Next, they said to do the fuel pump. They did this and I immediately noticed the car was still shaking whilst I waited in traffic coming out of the garage. I went back in and they said there was nothing more to do.

    On one hand, I came to them with a problem and now have a £300 bill and a car that is just as broken as when I took it in. On the other, im unsure if it’s just a peculiar problem and any garage would have done the same thing.

    To get a second opinion I’m looking at another £130 from the ford garage to diagnose it.
    Sounds like the garage read the diagnostic codes and replaced what they suggested was giving problems. Unfortunately today's cars and garages are like that. It doesn't sound like they said the new parts would fix the problem, just their "best bet" at curing it. Finding a real mechanic who won't let the computer rule what he does is difficult these days, as is fixing a modern car using old mechanic's ways.
    You could try talking to the manager or contacting Ford UK if that goes nowhere. Maybe they'll offer you some sort of discount off any further work. I wouldn't think you have any right to demand something.

    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the In My Home MoneySaving, Energy and Techie Stuff boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. 

    All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

  • a.turner
    a.turner Posts: 655 Forumite
    500 Posts
    victor2 wrote: »
    Sounds like the garage read the diagnostic codes and replaced what they suggested was giving problems. Unfortunately today's cars and garages are like that. It doesn't sound like they said the new parts would fix the problem, just their "best bet" at curing it. Finding a real mechanic who won't let the computer rule what he does is difficult these days, as is fixing a modern car using old mechanic's ways.
    You could try talking to the manager or contacting Ford UK if that goes nowhere. Maybe they'll offer you some sort of discount off any further work. I wouldn't think you have any right to demand something.

    I don't think it was taken to Ford.
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