Breakdown in France (1 Viewer)

[FJmike]

Now that we are back and work sorted out I have time to tell about our Mercedes Pilot breaking down. It was the last day of our short trip to see some Xmas markets, tootaling along a back road, round a corner and awful noise from back end and no drive in any gear. Had a look underneath but could not see an thing wrong, we were on a narrow uphill road. Fortunately were able to roll the van back into the wide entrance to a business. Rang RAC and explained that I had lost drive and would require recovery, which arrived in under an hour which was remarkable as it was French lunch time. After loading the van on recovery truck the driver asked if we wanted to go to a garage or a Mercedes garage, after previous encounters with so called Mercedes specialists we asked for the Mercedes garage. Quite an eventful trip to the garage as it seemed that the recovery truck's brakes were suffering with having our van on, this coupled with the driver on his mobile, smoking a ciggy and waving his arms about made for an interesting drive. Once we got to the Mercedes garage they set about diagnosing the problem which took about three hours, when we were told and shown that a half shaft and wheel hub splines had worn so bad that they no longer engaged. We were told that they had stripped the other side which was OK. This was on Monday, they said the parts wouldn't arrive until Wednesday and they would need several hours to fit. RAC arranged a hotel and taxi for us and kept us informed of progress. Wednesday luctime we were told by RAC that the van was ready, this was a relief as there is only so much to see and do in a wet Bologna. Bill for the work was about 1300 euros (ouch), when driving it now was obvious to me that the wear had been happening for quite a while as the transmission was a lot smoother. We are very glad that Comfort insurance includes breakdown and have nothing but praise for RAC who kept us informed at all times and we're very pleasant to deal with

 

[tonka]

Thanks on reporting.. No one really know how their insurance stacks up until they make a claim.
Had Comfort for 2 years but no issues.. Safeguard for years and with 2 breakdowns and a smash could not fault them.

 

[FIDGET]

Like you , we had a problem while in France , called the RAC as breakdown cover with them direct, great service they phoned us at all stages , luckily all sorted within one day.
But must congratulate RAC on english speaking operator who understood the problem and relayed all info to the garage & back to us about every half an hour, and after job done and we were on our way , phoned to see if we needed any other help.

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[icantremember]

I'm also with the RAC and (he says while touching wood) have not required their services yet on the continent but can only say they have always been very efficient when called in the UK ... It's comforting to hear they are as good while abroad.

 

[FJmike]

I forgot to mention that as soon as we realised that we would not make the ferry we had booked we phoned P&O. When we checked in two days late the check in guy asked if we had any paperwork, we showed him the bill for the work and he said as it was a genuine breakdown there would be no charge. Well done P&O