I'm writing to express my concerns regarding the service we received from the RAC on 7th September 2025. While driving on the motorway, our car suddenly lost power, a warning light appeared, and the dashboard displayed "OK to drive with caution, restricted performance." We immediately moved to the slower lane but struggled to exceed 60 mph but was still movable to minimum of around 30 mph while making a whining noise.
We decided to continue to the nearest services and contacted the RAC at around 2:22 pm, explaining the issue. We were informed that a mechanic would arrive to run diagnostics. However, we waited until 8 pm for the mechanic to arrive. Upon arrival, he suggested that it could be something to do with the turbo, based solely on the noise and the limp mode activation, without conducting any diagnostics. He assured us it was safe to drive home and followed us on a non-motorway route. I asked again if it was safe to drive and he confirmed it was.
Approximately ten minutes into the journey, the car began to lose more power and produced a rattling/banging noise, prompting us to pull over into a layby. The mechanic inspected the car and, upon him pressing the accelerator and we heard an unsettling noise. The engine began revving uncontrollably, and we smelled burning (like oil).
The mechanic then instructed us to turn off the car immediately, you could see the panic in his face at this point! He concluding that the turbo had completely failed and then offering to tow the car the following day.
We was the left on a dark country lane, while we waiting for a lift which we had to arrange ourselves!!
After consulting several garages, I was informed that driving with a potentially failing turbo was unsafe. Furthermore, they questioned why the RAC mechanic did not perform a diagnostic check or arrange for the car to be towed from the services to prevent further damage. All this should not have happened based on an assumption.
We had a home diagnostic done which we have paid for ourselves and the mechanic wouldn’t even risk turning the engine on, he advised us the car should not have been driven if it was the turbo and should have been towed from the services and towed to a garage, we wasn’t offered the option may I add.
We call RAC to log a complaint, was told we would receive a call within 3 days, 3 days have been and gone and nothing!!
I am deeply dissatisfied with the service provided by the RAC mechanic, especially the advice to drive the car, which has likely caused additional damage.
I will be taking this further and seeking advice from Ombundsman, the service we have received has been appalling
We decided to continue to the nearest services and contacted the RAC at around 2:22 pm, explaining the issue. We were informed that a mechanic would arrive to run diagnostics. However, we waited until 8 pm for the mechanic to arrive. Upon arrival, he suggested that it could be something to do with the turbo, based solely on the noise and the limp mode activation, without conducting any diagnostics. He assured us it was safe to drive home and followed us on a non-motorway route. I asked again if it was safe to drive and he confirmed it was.
Approximately ten minutes into the journey, the car began to lose more power and produced a rattling/banging noise, prompting us to pull over into a layby. The mechanic inspected the car and, upon him pressing the accelerator and we heard an unsettling noise. The engine began revving uncontrollably, and we smelled burning (like oil).
The mechanic then instructed us to turn off the car immediately, you could see the panic in his face at this point! He concluding that the turbo had completely failed and then offering to tow the car the following day.
We was the left on a dark country lane, while we waiting for a lift which we had to arrange ourselves!!
After consulting several garages, I was informed that driving with a potentially failing turbo was unsafe. Furthermore, they questioned why the RAC mechanic did not perform a diagnostic check or arrange for the car to be towed from the services to prevent further damage. All this should not have happened based on an assumption.
We had a home diagnostic done which we have paid for ourselves and the mechanic wouldn’t even risk turning the engine on, he advised us the car should not have been driven if it was the turbo and should have been towed from the services and towed to a garage, we wasn’t offered the option may I add.
We call RAC to log a complaint, was told we would receive a call within 3 days, 3 days have been and gone and nothing!!
I am deeply dissatisfied with the service provided by the RAC mechanic, especially the advice to drive the car, which has likely caused additional damage.
I will be taking this further and seeking advice from Ombundsman, the service we have received has been appalling
