Roof damage

[headlight]

Last Wednesday (April 27th) morning I dropped my MH off to an independent Fiat dealer to have a new clutch fitted.
I picked it up this afternoon and found that the roof has been dented on the rear drivers corner and the strip that joins the roof to the side is coming away.
The garage is adamant that it wasn't done by them but the damage wasn't there when I dropped the MH off.
Do I have any chance of getting anywhere with the garage ?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Tricky! You could ask if they have any security camera footage of you arriving or of the workshop. Do you have a dashcam that could have recorded any events?

 

[sonar]

Only if you can prove that lifting on ramps the roof was able to touch their works roof when stood underneath.
then you may have a chance .

but proving it was caused by that would be hard unless there are some paint scratches on the Moho roof that match their ceiling .

 

[headlight]

It wouldn't fit in their workshop it was parked and worked on in their compound.
I think what has happened is that when they've jacked the front up to do the clutch the back edge/corner of the roof has hit one of the trees that are all down the side of the compound.

 

[berni109]

Looks like we need to take photos of exterior and interior when dropping our vehicles off for repairs. Perhaps if they see people doing this they might be a bit more careful.

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[slowcoach65]

I agree, without photo evidence it's going to be hard to prove they did it. For a long time now I have taken pics (inside and out) on my phone whenever I drop off a vehicle and when I pick it up (in case I miss any damage before I get home). I do the same with hire vehicles - even though it once proved I had caused the damage after all!

 

[10tenmen]

My Fiat dealer in Hull take photographs of the vehicle prior to moving it. I don’t know if that’s a standard practice for fiat professional dealer.

 

[headlight]

So £955 for a clutch and now I have to pay for a roof repair or possibly claim on my insurance even though I didn't do the damage.

 

[Sue and Rick]

Have a look for cctv, it’s everywhere. You might get lucky.

 

[TheBig1]

Since a similar issue years ago, where a repair centre scratched a new caravan and denied it, I ALWAYS take photos on drop off and pickup. Stupid thing with that occasion is I actually pointed out the paint flakes on a sharp edge in the building cladding round their doorway that lined up exactly with my damage. The workshop manager told me to "F" off and put a sticker over it, as he knew the van was for sale.
I mentioned the poor service to the manufacturer, who had sent me there and they agreed it was not the first complaint. The service centre went bankrupt shortly after

It saved me another time when I had a hire car from the RAC's local agent. Dropped it back Friday afternoon and Monday morning got a call about damage they were billing me for. Showed the photos for evidence and it turned out somebody at the garage used it unbooked over the weekend.

To answer your question, a letter to the business owner or directors pointing out the damage, with photo evidence and request they take responsibility and get it fixed. A refusal, and request their insurer's details usually gets their attention rapidly

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[ROCHESB]

My Fiat dealer in Hull take photographs of the vehicle prior to moving it. I don’t know if that’s a standard practice for fiat professional dealer.

Our last motorhome dealer did the same, they walked around outside the vehicle with an iPad making a video recording.

 

[sonar]

Looks like we need to take photos of exterior and interior when dropping our vehicles off for repairs. Perhaps if they see people doing this they might be a bit more careful.

When mine went in for a new clutch and timing belt I did mention that there was no damage they looked round and confirmed it but said in 30 years they have only damaged one he said it was a rolling shutter door that failed .

and they fixed it and gave compensation . So was more than happy to leave it with them.

my usal garage at the time was unable to carry out the works as there were staff shortages at the time.

 

[sonar]

Our last motorhome dealer did the same, they walked around outside the vehicle with an iPad making a video recording.

Pre start photos a std thing to do now when doing construction works.

 

[headlight]

Well obviously I am not happy about the situation and disgusted with the attitude of the garage after having nearly a thousand pounds off me.
I rang them yesterday to see how they were doing as it had been a week and was told the job was done and they would take it for a test drive this morning just to check everything was ok then ring me.
They rang this morning and told me everything was fine and I could pick it up.
After arguing with them about the damage I started to drive home only to realise that the van was wandering all over the road and when you lifted off the throttle there was a clunk and it jerked sharply to the left.
I turned round and drove straight back.
I was informed there was nothing wrong with it as they had test driven it in the morning.
I made them test drive it again, with me in the passenger seat, and the mechanic agreed I was right.
Cue 4 mechanics frantically taking off the front wheels, undoing the suspension and steering and refitting.
Then another test drive.
To say I am not impressed is an understatement.

 

[slowcoach65]

Our last motorhome dealer did the same, they walked around outside the vehicle with an iPad making a video recording.

Videos are good but photos give better resolution and allow you to zoom in. Video and photos even better

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[headlight]

Unfortunately it didn't occur to me that I needed to photograph/video the vehicle or get the garage to do so to prove there wasn't any existing damage.

 

[sonar]

Ours is a high top Moho it’s one of the first things I thought about . 3.2 mtrs min.

plus ramp plus man standing under it that makes a min of 5 mtrs to start with…

garages seen to be ok to drive in but some look a Little low for mine. Hence I make a point of it with them.

but only been so for in three garages….

 

[TheBig1]

Ours is a high top Moho it’s one of the first things I thought about . 3.2 mtrs min.

plus ramp plus man standing under it that makes a min of 5 mtrs to start with…

garages seen to be ok to drive in but some look a Little low for mine. Hence I make a point of it with them.

but only been so for in three garages….

A good reason to choose a garage with a drive over pit

 

[sonar]

A good reason to choose a garage with a drive over pit

Not all garages have a pit for safety reasons.
my very local garage just had theirs filled in under health and safety reasons. And
Paul said it made it easier to get insurance as well.

 

[PP Bear]

I really feel for you and what a shitty situation to be in. These garages pay peanuts and then employ monkeys. Probably not a qualified mechanic between them, rather years of f-ing up other peoples pride and joy. No garage is EVER going to admit to the damage, I hate these people for it, it’s why I never use garages and choose to do it myself.

Had the same in a Halfrauds once, when my brakes for life needed changing. Watched a spotty urk swing the arms in on the lifting ramp, but failed to adjust them to miss my side skirts. Result is buckled skirts. Even me watching the idiot do it, I had no joy at all from Halfrauds. Then, to my amazement, I take the front wheels off my car at a later date, to find the brake disc retaining screw was missing. I know it was the urk, as I know who’s been anywhere near my car……why the heck he removed it, gauld only knows, but Halfrauds deny deny deny.

I have to live with mine and sort it myself, sorry to say that you’ll need to do the same. Not at all fair, but then these garages are never fair, just robbers.

I have many scary stories about garages failing to do a job properly, bet many others do too.

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[sonar]

I would have liked to do all my repairs and replacements but not having a lot of tools and age against me I have no choice for the larger works.

 

[pelican]

A good reason to choose a garage with a drive over pit

Mine Heards Bihops Waltham has outside ramps
Do alot of motorhome servicing
Mots inside

 

[headlight]

I was told yesterday that the director would ring me this morning to discuss my complaints.
Surprise surprise no phone call so I've just rung them and been told the director is on holiday !
I guess I'm not going to get anywhere even though besides the roof damage they returned the MH to me in a dangerous and unroadworthy condition.

 

[headlight]

This wasn't a back street garage and they weren't cheap at £955 to replace the clutch.

 

[iandsm]

Looks like we need to take photos of exterior and interior when dropping our vehicles off for repairs. Perhaps if they see people doing this they might be a bit more careful.

I always do, same with may car, trouble is you may drive into a shiny efficient looking dealership, but you don't see the spotty yoof given the mundane job of doing your oil change etc.

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[Sapper520]

This wasn't a back street garage and they weren't cheap at £955 to replace the clutch.

My son is having these issues with Skoda. He hit pheasant causing front grill damage. When Skoda stripped it down they turned that into a new radiator and compressor. No choice but to get them to fix it.

He’s done over 60,000 miles (car total nearly 90,000 miles), 1500 miles after the damage was caused…..never lost a drop of coolant. Since having the work done by the Skoda dealership he’s having to top up half a litre a week.

Skoda say it’s a 2016 so out of warranty. He pointed out that the work they carried out less than 3 months ago is the issue. They’re telling him they give a two year parts warranty but that doesn’t cover the labour! The nice lady ‘Customer Services’ person said it won’t be something we’ve done……that’s without the car even being looked at!

With an attitude like that knows he’s in for a up hill battle, but I made sure he paid the £1200 on credit Card, so hopefully he’ll have some protection.

Really hope you get a good outcome.

 

[Lenny HB]

I was told yesterday that the director would ring me this morning to discuss my complaints.
Surprise surprise no phone call so I've just rung them and been told the director is on holiday !
I guess I'm not going to get anywhere even though besides the roof damage they returned the MH to me in a dangerous and unroadworthy condition.

Could you get a quote for the repair and put in a claim via the small claims court.

 

[headlight]

Could you get a quote for the repair and put in a claim via the small claims court.

I could but with no proof would I get anywhere ?
Looks to me that as the garage are denying blame and I can't prove that the damage was caused by them that I'm going to have to foot the bill myself.

 

[headlight]

Update :
Tea time I received an email from the garage.
They attached a picture from their CCTV (they had originally told me they didn't have any CCTV) which according to them shows that my roof was already damaged.
I can't see any damage on the picture, which is time stamped the morning I dropped the vehicle off.
As regards the dangerous handling/steering they claim it was just "settlement" from having to remove the front suspension and steering.
If that was the case then why wasn't it noticed when they test drove it a few hours before I picked it up and range to say the test drive was fine.

 

[headlight]

Picture.