Is it stupid to complain about car repair one year later?

dannygn123

I had a repair to my car last October, the catalytic converter was stolen so had to have it replaced which I did through my insurance. I thought for a while after that I felt the car was a bit sluggish and the exhaust a bit noisy and rumbly but i didn't get round to sorting it and then I was out the country for a while, and now did to covid I left it alone. I have been thinking recently that I should have dome something about it and I'm cursing myself for not calling them about it straight away as it is a bit frustrating when I drive it, I'm convinced it isn't accelerating like it did previously and is definitely noisy.

They told me that the part has a lifetime guarantee. I want to tell the garage it isn't running properly but I feel embarrassed that I have left it a year and it might seem ridiculous that I'm complaining after all this time. Maybe they will just say well it has been so long it could be something else that is causing it. Is it reasonable of me to contact them or have I left it so long do I just have to accept that it's too late now. I have had an MOT recently which was fine so I guess it's not a serious issue but it bugs me every time I drive it. Is it acceptable for me to still complain or are they just going to laugh and say I have left it too long even though it is under guarantee?

cymruchris

It's certainly something you should have dealt with at the time you got your car back, rather than a year later - and in the context of what you've said it wouldn't be likely they'd be supportive of a complaint now - but you did mention the converter had a lifetime warranty - so you could ask them to check out what might be causing your issue - but if they do say that it's xyz sensor or abc part that isn't related to it - you'll have to likely fork out for the repair - even if it's possible they could have damaged it back on the initial job. 

fred246

I once took my car in for a new exhaust. As the fitter passed me with the pipe he mumbled "Why do I get all the rubbish jobs?". He kept bending and hammering the pipe which was getting me concerned. I asked to look at it before I paid. The exhaust was supposed to be supported by 3 mountings. This was hanging on by one. The old exhaust had a large diameter and the new one was tiny. They admitted that the exhaust wasn't meant for my car so they had modified one for a different make and model. I had a big argument and in the end they removed it and I drove off without an exhaust pipe and didn't pay them. I just fitted my own. I always wonder what would have happened if I didn't have any knowledge. That small diameter may have affected the car's performance. I wondered if I took it to another garage would they tell me my new exhaust was the wrong one or would they just fob you off?

NottinghamKnight

Doesn't Fred have a lot of problems with cars?

fred246

No I only have problems with garages. My car's are great. If the OP has had problems since they worked on the exhaust they may have fitted the wrong exhaust or fitted it incorrectly.

Mutton_Geoff

fred246 said:

I drove off without an exhaust pipe

NottinghamKnight said:

Doesn't Fred have a lot of problems with cars?

And a shocking lack of technical knowledge and disregard for the law and his own health.

No exhaust = no back pressure risking damage to valves, high risk of carbon monoxide fumes in the cabin, high noise levels, breach of Highway Code etc

facade

You can but try them, my neighbour had Kwik-Fit put a "5 year guarantee" catalytic converter on, and because they use the cheap pattern ones they continually split after about 12 months- he is on his 2nd replacement. He feels he has overstayed his welcome there somewhat

A partially blocked (unlikely from new) or too small (if they put on the cheapest generic aftermarket one) catalyst will restrict the exhaust, like Fred's too narrow one, and reduce performance.

nottsphil

fred246 said:

 I always wonder what would have happened if I didn't have any knowledge.

It's a good job you weren't baffled.
In fact, you definitely weren't when you drove off. 

fred246

Mutton_Geoff said:

High risk of carbon monoxide fumes in the cabin

Luckily my car had a floor. If your car hasn't got a floor you get wet as you go along. Gas can't get through the floor so the risk of carbon monoxide fumes in the cabin is low. The ventilation intake is at the front of the car so long distance reversing would not be recommended with no exhaust.
Sometimes you just have get your car to a place of safety. Somewhere where it can't get any more abuse.

Grumpy_chap

fred246 said:

Luckily my car had a floor. If your car hasn't got a floor you get wet as you go along. 

Having a floor in a car is not all it is cracked up to be.  I find the floor gets in the way of putting your feet to the ground to push the car forward

baza52

my old car didnt have a floor. 
I just used as a cheap run-around