QuestionQUESTION: I have got a ford fiesta zetec 1.6 diesel. 18 months old.My car suddenly failed when i was driving along. The message on the computer said steering failure. However, when the garage took it away they said that an oil leak in the engine had spilt onto the alternator causing it to fail. I had no warning lights on the dash. They have replaced the alternator and fixed the oil leak. The car is still under warranty so no payment was required.When I went to collect my car I asked them for a copy invoice for my records and for future buyers if I come to sell the car. I was told that the invoice goes straight to Ford and I couldn't have a copy. Is this legal? Surely customers have a right to see what has been done to their car. When I insisted, the technician just said he hadn't finished writing it out yet, but had already got me to sign for the work. It doesn't seem right to me.
Also, since having my car back, the steering seems a little stiff and is pulling to the left. Any ideas why this could be?
Thank you.
Diane
ANSWER: This stinks :-(
Any honest mechanic/garage/dealership would tell you what the fault was/is, not only to put your mind at rest but... about a thousand reasons, mainly safety.
I'd try to ask the actual mechanics at the dealership - go at dinnertime ;-)
With the new faults, pulling to the left, "more effort required to steer", take the car back and tell them the symptoms, it's all you can do.
You can try phoning ford customer services, the number will be in your service book/manual - to try to find out what work was done, I'm afraid it can be a bit of a brick wall...
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Best bet is pestering the dealership until you get the info - I avoid dealerships but I know how much of a pain they can be from all the things I hear.
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Pulling to the left - Harsher steering, this could be down to under-inflated tyres.
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Good luck!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks. To be honest I have said I'll never go back there. They made me feel so stupid. I may be a female but I am no pushover.I also think that they probably wouldn't be too concerned about my steering now that I've already complained about the invoice. It's so unfair that you put your trust in their hands and they let you down. I know my own car and it is definitely more stiff on the steering. I will inflate my tyres, but I had only done this last week so probably are ok. You're absolutely right, all I wanted was peace of mind and a little reassurrance.Do I have a right to a copy of invoice for work carried out even though I didn't have to pay?
Thanks very much for your advice.
AnswerI'm pretty sure you have a right to see a rundown of work carried out to your vehicle,
- getting the dealership to honor this right... you can but try.
I really think the easiest way would be to phone ford the dealer and complain -
They have left you feeling unsafe in your vehicle and your vehicle now has extra faults,
Say you refuse to drive the car as you have no idea what is wrong and it could suddenly get worse.
Just have a good go at them over this terrible customer service, let them know you feel unsafe
and don't want to drive the car in its present condition.
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Phone the customer services desk at the actual dealership who "repaired" your car.
-- You are a car driver, not a mechanic, you're not expected to know anything about the mechanics of your car, but the dealer has a responsibility to inform you about the work carried out to the car -- I'll have to research a bit more, this is the first time I have heard of this, they should tell you, I don't know if they must* but it I'll get back with something more to go on when I find it -
