Car Stuck in France!

  • Pen's Avatar
    Our car broke down on our way to the Alps on February 15th. Not only did we have to fly home without it, it is still there, not fixed and we continue to be in the stressful midst of trying to get it back to the UK.
    The RAC towed it to a garage on the 15th February and this garage have been beyond incompetent. We have agreed to several new parts and there have been a catalogue of issues; wrong parts ordered, delays in parts, damaged parts. They have not fixed the car and we will have to pay a bill of approximately 1.5k for work that has not resolved the problem.
    We have had enough, so 11 days ago we instructed RAC to begin repatriation. However, the garage have not given us an invoice to pay and we have been told that repatriation cannot begin until this bill is paid. The RAC have said themselves that the garage are being unhelpful.
    Our luggage is still in the car. A hired roof box is on the car. The stress and upset this has caused us is unquantifiable. We want this over!
    We don’t know where to turn and are considering seeking legal advice.
    Please help!
  • 1 Reply

  • jfdecw's Avatar
    @Pen
    Cannot help directly.
    Is the car at a local garage or concession? If the latter the car manufacturer may be able to help.Be wary of resorting to French law. I am guessing that you have breakdown cover -e.g. with the RAC? If so they may be able to help. My clutch failed in Spain, concession asserted also required a gear box replacement. 10 years + I am still driving the car with the same gear box! Breakdown Insurance recovered the car to mu usual garage in the UK. Slightly off topic take care with the choice of words "return vehicle to the UK" Th continent could get "excited if the vehicle had been "exported" from the UK to Europe and raise VAT questions. UK registered, taxed, MOT vehicle taken to Europe on holiday and you just want to get your vehicle back home to the UK. No export, no VAT. Recently, UK Border Control verbally confirmed that in normal circumstance returning vehicle to the UK would not interest them. Unless your name is Goldfinger.