Anyone know someone at a Vauxhall garage?

[st3ph3n]

Hey kids, long time no speak!

As per the topic - my brother's less than a year old Corsa got loose in the driveway and hit the garage wall. Car was parked up with handbrake on and some point after he left it and 5 hours later the handbrake failed (the lever was all the way to the floor so dodgy ratcher?) and it rolled down the incline.

Arnie Clark and Vauxhall both not interested after first attempt at speaking to them but it shouldn't be an insurance job as it's been a car failure. So looking for someone to speak to!

Cheers

[plodster]

Hi,

I had a similar experience with a garage who did a poor job on my car and caused a huge engine failure. I have RAC cover which includes Legal Cover, I believe pretty much all the breakdown outfits offer this service at some level. Worked really well for me and the garage coughed up for the repairs and all the expenses. Other option is the CAB.....

A letter from a solicitor should sort it!

[badbaz]

Only thing I'd add Stephen is can you replicate the fault - if not you are gonna be up against it for sure - good luck.

[st3ph3n]

Not been down to have a look yet to see if I can replicate it. Garage had it to test and couldn't see anything. Vauxhall themselves fobbed him off saying it should be left in gear as thats what the highway code says. Did a quick check tonight and that's pish, so they'll be getting challenged on that.

[badbaz]

Let us know how you go. Our TT ran away once after a spirited run and a poorly applied handbrake - when the discs cooled the brake didn't hold - no damage though

[ccrien]

Think Ive read of a similar thing in Car Mechanics mag lately- on old style Vectra or Corsas, If parked up when brakes really hot the handbrake loosens grip when they cool. Worth a bit of research to build your case

[badbaz]

Stephen did say above that the lever was all the way to the floor so had released itself - maybe not the same scenario as we described.

[johned]

Almost certain this type of problem has been on watchdog and the problem was a with the ratchet system.

[st3ph3n]

Yeah it was lever to the floor, so more than likely the ratchet failed somehow. If you search for vauxhall handbrake you'll find loads of hits for watchdog and what not, but this car only new last year so shouldnt be affected. It's been recalled for a brake pedal problem but not the brakes themselves. My folks' driveway is on a slight slope, so he had to have put the brake on before he got out otherwise the car would have rolled straightaway.

[arch]

Stephen do they have family legal protection on their home insurance policy? If so that would cover the cost of a legal claim. Vauxhall like most manufacturers are difficult to deal with and work on the assumption that if they say no often enough the average punter will give up. Thats why you want legal advice and someone to do it for you.

[st3ph3n]

Will check Arch. Sounds like a good plan!

[corsa]

The same thing happened on my 56 Vectra, garage replaced the alleged faulty ratchet, no problems after that.

Best of luck.