Dangerous Car Repair.

[scenicavalon]

Okay. My 2013 Fiesta was hit by car reversing onto front nearside wheel, causing breakage in steering arm and other body damage. Went through insurers and car was lifted repaired and returned to me 4 weeks later with covering 36 month guarantee saying all parts required for new steering rack etc where genuine Ford parts. No problem there. Work went through quality control etc and was passed as complete. Car was returned to me on Friday and all looked well. First problem I noticed was steering wheel was not straight on Saturday as i drove on Motorway. I also felt it wandered to the left and to the right. Thought I was being overly sensitive. Last night drove over a few speed calming ramps and thought car made loud bang as it traversed them. Again thought I was over imagining this. Today as I turned wheel to reverse car heard a loud bang from front of car. Jiggled the steering wheel back and forward with loud banging noise going on. Front left wheel when shaken moved a good inch either way. Took car to a mechanic I know, he looked and said that bolts securing steering rack weren't tightened. Took a video of these shaking about. Told if this had come apart on Motorway I would have been in big trouble. He said to leave it at his garage as not roadworthy. Really shaken up and angry about this. Tomorrow, who should I speak to first about this, my Insurance company or the Accident repair company, and should I take this elsewhere? Really upset by this a I keep on going over what might have happened to me and my family on Motorway yesterday.

[Stoney871]

As the garage was working as an agent of the Insurance company I'd suggest talking to the Insurers first.

Get a written report from the Mechanic who stated that the car was unroadworthy and ensure you send the Insurers a copy via email AND recorded post so they can't wiggle out by saying they didn't receive it.

I would push for the work to be redone to your satisfaction and a free courtesy car plus compensation for any out of pocket expenses that you may incur until your car is 100% again.

[MattDRX]

I'd also suggest the work is carried out at a different garage too, I wouldn't have them re-do but the insurance company can recover these costs to go elsewhere.

[stef123]

definitely phone the insurance company first, let them arrange an inspection or collection of the car and a curtesy car.

[scenicavalon]

Raised complaint through insurer as I thought this was way of making sure it was elevated to a higher up response within the accident repair company. All being dealt with satisfactorily at moment. As a retired Police Officer, having seen a few things in my career, wanted to make them take seriously quality control on major road going elements of a repaired car. Seems quality control applied more to body panels and painting. Manager seems to have taken my observations on board. Thank you Stoney871 for your input. V