Delay in service with car fault

AptlySwell

Hi all, I’m looking for some advice on whether there are any escalation routes or rights I have as a consumer which could help my situation. For context, my car is 3 years old and I am 3 years into a 4 year PCP contract. I have done fewer than 20000 miles and I am under warranty.

I took my car in for a safety recall earlier this week after being informed there was an issue with my model of car which required a part replacement. Since then (2 days later) my car has now started showing a warning light showing ‘check 48V system’ and a red battery light. The red light has since gone, but the amber 48v light has remained. 

The dealership have said that this is distinct from the safety recall and that they cannot book the car in for a diagnostic check until January. They have also said they cannot guarantee the car is safe to drive in the interim without checking. Their solution was to call the car manufacturer roadside assistance programme to get them to come out and check the car and if necessary tow it to the nearest dealership. However, I am not part of the roadside assistance programme and would have to pay £150 up front and then commit to a monthly package just for this. My own breakdown cover through my insurance will not come out as they don’t seem the issue as serious (amber warning light rather than red) and have told me to drive it to the dealership instead.

The manufacturer customer service and all dealerships within a 25 mile radius have said there’s nothing they can do and I will need to wait until their next appointment (January - 10 weeks) is available. Local garages have said they are unable to help with this issue and it requires a specialist.

My question is, is there anything I can do or do I simply have to wait until January for a resolution? I need my car for work and I am uncomfortable driving it for over two months with this warning light especially as they have said they cannot guarantee it is safe to drive. Information online varies about the severity of the the issue, but one dealer I spoke to advised me to avoid main roads and straying too far from home.

born_again

Do none of the other franchised dealers have space before Jan?

AptlySwell

None within 25 miles have availability until late December, I think largely due to this mass recall. I don’t really want to drive any further than that with the warning light as it is. 

AptlySwell

born_again said:

Do none of the other franchised dealers have space before Jan?

None within 25 miles have availability until late December, I think largely due to this mass recall. I don’t really want to drive any further than that with the warning light as it is. 

Myci85

Do you know anyone who has a machine to check the code which may just help you determine if it seems something urgent or not? I know our usual garage will happily take 5 mins to do this for us if we turn up, but I guess if you usually go to the main dealer, you may not have an independent garage you have a relationship with to do so. 

AptlySwell

Myci85 said:

Do you know anyone who has a machine to check the code which may just help you determine if it seems something urgent or not? I know our usual garage will happily take 5 mins to do this for us if we turn up, but I guess if you usually go to the main dealer, you may not have an independent garage you have a relationship with to do so. 

We do have a garage literally at the bottom of the road which we use for services and other issues, but they’ve said as this is related to the hybrid battery they can’t support with this particular case. I’ve rung about 5 local garages including Halfords about their diagnostic check and none of them have said this is something they can help with.

Myci85

Ah, I did wonder if it was hybrid/EV. 

Aylesbury_Duck

The least expensive option may be to find a dealer that can inspect it sooner and pay to have it taken there.   Then depending on what they diagnose, see if it's anything you can recover the cost for.

Keep_pedalling

Amber warnings are non critical so it can be driven unless it turns red. The worst that can happen is you end up with a flat 48v and 12v battery and end up having to call out your breakdown company. What car is it?