Mitsubishi - getting nowhere with this company

JasonM1977

I'm at a bit of a loss with Mitsubishi - who withdrew from selling cars in the UK a couple of years ago.

I get my Outlander serviced with them every year and with this comes Roadside Assistance.

A couple of months ago my car broke down and when i called up their breakdown service - i was told that i wasn't covered and that i was pretty much on my own.  Because it was me and my partner + my pet dog....it made things all the more complicated because although they would offer a basic recovery (where i would be charged £160 for them to take my car) - it would have effectively left myself, family and pet dog at the side of the road...struggling to get a taxi on a cold Scottish night 5 hours drive from home.  I was lucky enough that my uncle was just over an hour away and was able to come and get us- the AA sorted out my car...but it completely ruined my holiday as i had to wait for my car to be fixed - in a different country (i live in England) - with no access to a hire car to continue our journey.

It turns out that I should have been covered by an administration error on their part meant that my details hadn't been updated and i was left to fend for myself.

I have received an apology and an email saying that it was effectively their fault - but when i talk about claiming the money back that i spent - Mitsubishi UK are basically saying that because they no longer operate (have an office) in the UK/closed the colt car company in the UK; they are not interested.  

I did say i'd go via the Ombudsman or small claims court i get the following: "As you have indicated that you may refer this matter to The Motor Ombudsman, you should be aware that we are not part of The Motor Ombudsman scheme. Also, if you are looking to proceed through the small claims court for your costs, it is important to clarify that from a legal perspective, I.M. MAPS (UK) Ltd, to whom your email has been addressed, has no contractual relationship with you. By way of background, The Colt Car Co. Ltd was appointed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan (MMC) as the authorised importer and distributor of Mitsubishi Vehicles in the United Kingdom. For clarity, MMC is the manufacturer of those vehicles, and they were imported and distributed by The Colt Car Co. Ltd.   I.M. MAPS (UK) Ltd is not an importer, distributor, retailer, or repairer of Mitsubishi vehicles."

So basically because i bought the car under Colt - who have closed i seem to have no avenue for compensation...even though Mitishbishi are still operating in the UK.  

Has anyone else had this issue whereby Mitishbishi seem to offering services but denying any responsibility?

SiliconChip

Your issue is with whoever you pay to provide the service, which is very unlikely to be MMC, surely it's the garage where you now take the car (which may be the garage that you bought it from, although they will obviously no longer be a Mitsubish dealer).

Wonka_2

SiliconChip said:

Your issue is with whoever you pay to provide the service, which is very unlikely to be MMC, surely it's the garage where you now take the car (which may be the garage that you bought it from, although they will obviously no longer be a Mitsubish dealer).

Absolutely this - who underwrites/provides the breakdown package ?

In fact forget it - 30 seconds provides this https://www.mitsubishi-warranty.co.uk/MAP showing it's provided by AWP Assistance Ltd, part of Allianz and even details the complaints/escalation process.

Have you followed this or have you been trying to escalate with Mitsubishi/Colt Cars ?