We bought a Dacia duster brand new in 2018. Generally been happy with the purchase until our MOT was due in August 2023. We knew we had a problem with the airbag as a light came up intermittently the week or 2 before so told our dealer. Not on warranty as was only 3 years. This car is our only car, I am married with 2 very young children and 2 old dogs. We also have a roof box for when we travel as we need lots of things with a young family.
We apparently needed a new part which took nearly 6 months to arrive and fix. At no point did they give us a timescale nor update us. In that time we were provided a hire car to use. However it was much smaller than a duster and we weren't allowed dogs in there either. Some big problems we had. For instance we went on holiday a couple of times and had to get someone else to bring 1 of our suitcases. Couldn't take dogs to the better favourite park as couldn't drive them there. Couldn't take whole family to see very unwell auntie over Christmas.
Renault customer services were generally not very helpful and only spoke to me if I rang them. Didn't seem to recall earlier phone calls and never followed through with what they suggested they would do. They usually blamed the dealer (a franchise of Renault). The franchise dealer were at least forthcoming to me but not brilliant at keeping me in the loop. It didn't really seem that the franchise and customer care at Renault spoke to eachother and relied on me doing all the donkey work.
Obviously I wasted loads of time trying to deal with this. I made it crystal clear how bad the experience and how much of an issue it's been for us. Renault have now told me they have done a good job and went above and beyond giving us a hire car at all as we were outside of the warranty. To go that little bit further they have suggested they would pay 10% of the final bill of about £700.
Maybe I'm expecting too much as our car was outside of its warranty, but the whole experience was appalling and I can't believe they want to just give me £70 for my troubles...
Is there any other avenue of attack, or have Renault actually done more than they needed to?
Obviously goes without saying I would never recommend anyone buy a Renault or Dacia.
Thanks in advance for any comments
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