Hi guys. I’d really appreciate any thoughts you can offer on this. Recently had my car (Skoda Fabia Estate, 1.2 tdi, 32000 miles) repaired under warranty by car dealership I bought it from. Had a fifth gear problem. It’s been a shambles the whole way along. Basically, they removed the entire gear box first without checking anything simpler could be the cause of the problem. Gearbox was fine and they rang us scratching their heads saying there is nothing wrong with it. My husband (motorcycle mechanic) asked them to check the selector mechanism and that’s what the problem was and they fixed it.  Any way, after taking a month to fix the car I got the car back yesterday and the engine traction light and the tyre pressure light are both coming on when driving at about 40mph+. Goes off when I turn the engine off. Not on at low speeds. Comes back on at higher speeds. The ABS light is not on. 

 

Somehow the garage has caused this fault because it wasn’t there before. They said they had to take the wheels off - could this have caused the problem? The car is still under warranty with them but they have been absolutely horrendous, worst experience I’ve ever had with a garage. I don’t want to have to take it back there if I don’t have to as I have zero confidence in them and relations are strained (it’s a long, messy story). 

 

They have yet to give us a record of the work they did on the car, despite us asking four times (on phone, voicemails and in person). 

 

Could them taking the wheels off or not aligning them properly when putting back on have caused this fault? 

 

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks. 

Edited 25 March, 20188 yr by BlueWhippet

I am not sure if removing wheels alone, should affect the tyre pressure monitors, unless they put the wheels on different axles as front and rears might need different pressures. It could be that they need recalibrating though. I know they will need this if the tyres are removed and its also advised to actually fit new sensors at this stage, too. I would firstly check each tyre pressure carefully and reset the monitors/recalibrate, if you know how too. This will then tell you if it was just that or if the fault persists, monitors, sensors etc might need replacing. I would definitely get them to inspect an engine fault light asap as you might further damage the car and then be held to blame. 

Thanks very much for your reply. Trouble is I’m in Hampshire and they’re in Watford and they are ignoring my communications with them, despite fact they caused the fault and the car is still under warranty. Trading Standards advised today to get repair done elsewhere as this garage has already had one opportunity to repair car. Then send them the bill. I have no other car to drive so like you say if I wait to deal with them then I could be doing further damage. Thanks again. 

If they did indeed remove the gearbox then they will have removed hubs and driveshafts and probably disconnected the hub sensors I believe. Could be not connected properly or damaged?

Hi Wonky. Thanks for your response.  Yes, they removed the gearbox and sent it away to be examined. They were annoyed that they’d done that when they were told gearbox was fine so it’s highly probable they rushed or were careless putting it all back together. Extremely frustrating :/ 

@BlueWhippet - The procedure for checking (and if need be adjusting) tyre pressures, and then resetting (not recalibrating) the TPM is DIY, and I'd actually expect the owner to do it monthly.

 

If that doesn't cure your warning lights, then your Trading Standards advice applies.

Hi. Yeah, I know how to do the tyre pressures etc and never had a problem with resetting that. It’s fact that both that light and the traction light come on on every journey at 5 miles and stay on until engine is switched off. 

 

Im taking car into Skoda next week so hopefully they can sort. 

 

Thanks for your reply. 

You didn't actually say but was the dealership you purchased the car from, a Skoda dealer anyway?  You also omitted to mention the age of the vehicle as it ay have been covered by the original warranty anyway BUT Skoda UK will most likely negate this if you allowed someone else to repair the vehicle. I would take trading standards advice, especially if this is in writing and get Skoda to now repair the vehicle. The failure of the seller to communicate will almost certainly go against them if you have to go down the trading standards/small claims route. Keep on at them and be sure to remind them that you are logging this at the forum and will have no qualm in naming and shaming them in the event of them accepting blame unless they obviously end up going over and above their legal obligation, paying for repair, hire of temporary vehicle, etc and perhaps extending the warranty or offering something worth your while. (Perhaps not a service schedule as it may be worthless to you but some car mats, mudflaps or whatever) To recompense you for lost time and use/enjoyment of the vehicle. 

Hi. Thanks for your reply. 2012 vehicle. 32,000 miles. Not bought from Skoda. Effectively, my claim will be under consumer rights act based on them failing to make vehicle fit for purpose (by causing a fault during the repair of the first fault).  As bought it on Dec 27th and reported original fault on 4th Jan and it’s still ongoing I’m just going to be following Trading Standards’ advice. Probably going to end up paying for repair myself and then trying to claim it back from them. Fun times. 

Edited 28 March, 20188 yr by BlueWhippet

Surely you should then have the right to reject the vehicle as its not fit for purpose?

According to Trading Standards because the garage fixed the first fault but caused a second one, I have to give them the opportunity to fix the second fault. They’ve agreed to do this via paying for a local garage to do it (because they don’t want to have to collect the car). If the car develops another fault after that then I can reject the car...