Hi,

First of all I'm a 27 yr old medic not a mechanic, so if members could reply as if I were a lay person I would be very grateful. I'm not opposed to detailed replies and I'm happy to do a bit more reading if someone could point me in the right direction.

I have a 2011 reg Fiesta Zetec that was perfectly fine until a van driver reversed into the back of it whilst I was stationary in a car park. Although repairs took place via insurance and all was well for 2-3 months, I'm now finding that my near side brake light doesn't work at all and my reversing light flickers and is dim. Initially I went to Kwik fit for a bulb change. After a bulb change was unsuccessful I was told by the mechanic that there seemed to be a wiring fault. Kwik fit don't specialise in wiring so I was referred to SMC.

After visiting Ford SMC Gravesend I was basically told the work totalled £1000+ but even after I persisted the mechanic didn't explain what was actually wrong, for some reason he also disabled my rear parking sensors profusely insisting that he needed to do it.

I then visited a local garage for a second opinion and the mechanic kindly explained that I required a new rear light wiring loom and connector which he said he could get for around £400, but told me to also go on ebay and call up any Ford spares dealers I could google. He priced his labour at £90. He said the repairs post accident may not have been completed to a high enough standard using worn parts but this is when he also started to seem a little vague.

I have a few questions if anyone can answer them:
1) What could possibly cause damage to said wiring so that it would need to be entirely replaced? (considering my Fiesta seems pretty new.)

2) Does the advice of the mechanic seem sound? (something about such an extensive repair seems off to me.)

3) Does anyone know where I could find a rear light wiring loom and connector for such a new vehicle? (everything on ebay seems to be salvaged from older models and I haven't had a chance to call spares dealers just yet - I was hoping to be a little more informed before I do)

4) Why would the Ford SMC mechanic disable my rear parking sensors?

5) Would such repairs really total £1000+ (inc labour)

6) Considering I have moved insurance company since the claim closed and repairs were completed, is there any way that I can question the work done in the repairs and have my insurance cover any such corrective repair? (the garage used via insurance could have made mistakes)

7) Is the medic in me overthinking this? Im only 27 and not experienced in auto-repair so I'm in no position to judge but again, something doesn't seem right. Why would the entirety of the light wiring need to be replaced? (Please correct me if I'm wrong here)

I hope some more technically inclined members would be so kind as to help me out here. Luckily I don't need to drive for my current hospital location so the car is just sitting on my driveway for the next 8 weeks. Any advice is appreciated and I'm happy to provide more info if needed.



Kind regards,

B

It's possibe the accident caused break income of the wires in the loom,or when repaired soles wire were trapped or chaffing on another part resulting in the issues you have now.

The ford tech probably disabled it due to that circuit being the main cause if the other faults, the parking sensor not being needed for the car to function legally.

If you can get it in writing from the garage that these faults are down to the repair, then you should be able to go back to the insurers or the bodyshop and complain. They do say the repairs are to a high standard and guaranteed after all.

There are many breakers on eBay who should be able to source this loom but you may need one from a car with factory fitted sensors ( if they are factory sensors). Since being disabled do the lights still behave like you described or has the fault cleared?

I would check your insurer's terms from the original claim.

Most have a guarantee on repairs.