#DealershipJoyride #CarService #CertifiedDealership #CarLocation #CarSecurity
š” So you dropped your car off at a certified dealership for some servicing, only to find out that it had been taken for a joyride 70 miles away! š” That’s definitely not what you expected when you entrusted your car to professionals for maintenance. It’s understandable that you’re feeling angry and unsure about what to do next. Let’s break down your options and what you can expect in this situation.
What to Do Next:
1. Contact the Dealership: The first step is to reach out to the dealership as soon as they open. Make sure to have all the details of the incident documented, including the time you noticed the unauthorized use of your car, the location it was taken to, and any other information that might be relevant.
2. Ask for an Explanation: When you speak to the dealership, ask for a clear explanation of why your car was taken 70 miles away without your consent. Express your concerns about the situation and ask for a resolution.
3. Consider Legal Action: Depending on the response from the dealership, you may want to consider legal action. Taking your car for a joyride without permission is not only unethical, but it could also be considered a breach of trust and potentially illegal. Contacting the authorities might be necessary if the dealership does not address the issue satisfactorily.
What to Expect:
1. Apology and Compensation: The dealership should apologize for the unauthorized use of your car and offer some form of compensation for the inconvenience caused. This could come in the form of a refund for the service, free additional services, or other forms of restitution.
2. Explanation and Accountability: The dealership should also provide a detailed explanation of why your car was taken 70 miles away and take accountability for the situation. It’s important for them to acknowledge their mistake and take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future.
3. Legal Ramifications: If the dealership refuses to take responsibility for the joyride and provide a satisfactory resolution, you may have to consider legal recourse. This could involve filing a complaint with the relevant regulatory authorities or seeking legal advice to explore your options for compensation.
Preventative Measures:
1. Car Security Measures: After this incident, it’s crucial to take additional steps to ensure the security of your car when it’s in the dealership’s possession. This might include installing a GPS tracker or requesting documentation of the car’s location and usage during the service period.
2. Trusted Recommendations: In the future, consider seeking recommendations from trusted sources for car servicing. Reading reviews and testimonials can also help you make an informed decision about where to take your car for maintenance.
3. Consumer Rights: Familiarize yourself with your consumer rights in California regarding car servicing and the responsibilities of certified dealerships. Knowing your rights can empower you to take appropriate action in situations like this.
In conclusion, the unauthorized joyride of your car by a certified dealership is undoubtedly frustrating and concerning. By proactively reaching out to the dealership, understanding your options, and taking preventative measures for the future, you can navigate this situation with confidence. Remember that you have the right to hold the dealership accountable for their actions and seek a resolution that aligns with your expectations. Good luck in resolving this unfortunate incident! šš¼
First step is to talk to them. Depends on what needed to be done itās not unheard of to try to replicate normal driving conditions with a mechanic taking it home and back to work.
Do you care about taking your car a random 40 minute round trip? No of course because it does nothing to your car. Youāre free to sue for the roughly $45 in irs suggested mileage. Customer service will likely go faster.
What kind of service was it dropped off for? If it was kept overnight could they be troubleshooting an intermittent issue?
In most cases you have to drive roughly over 50 miles to see if a check engine light will come back or not from my understanding. The only way to do so is to drive it.
What was the car in the shop for?
Iām a master tech & we drive cars home all the time (though we always ask the customer first). Warranty only pays literally 6 minutes for a test drive. So if is an intermittent issue itās much easier for me to try & duplicate on my 40 mile commute then wasting an hour driving the car around near the shop.
NAL – first Iād be pretty pissed if I was in your situation so I hear that.
However, after thinking about this for a moment (and not knowing the cars issue) is it possible that a tech took it home and is driving it back in the morning to see if they can replicate the issue? Again, I wouldnāt be cool with this, and if they were going to do this Iād suspect a little communication upfront would go a long way.
My first stop would be with the GM and Shop Manager of the dealership with the evidence of the joyride. Barring a good reason, which there may be, Iād let my frustration be known and see how they make it right. If they refuse to make it right thatās when I would escalate.
What did u take it in for?
Sometimes they put cameras underneath and drive 50 or so miles to get a good look at a whatās going on
I used to be a mechanic and took cars home for troubleshooting purposes regularly. However I was ‘intermittent electrical fault guy’ and sometimes a fault took days to show up. However the customer was always informed that I was going to be driving the car until the fault showed up.
If the car wasn’t in for a hard to find intermittent fault then I would ask to see the shop manager and start asking questions.
I would call the police, report the car as stolen, tell them where it is, go there and turn on my camera.
If Iād a spare key, Iād go pick it up without telling them and then see what they do
First, NAL but a car guy, so I’ll play devil’s advocate. What kind of service did you take it to the dealer for? I’ve had cars with driveability complaints that necessitated a service tech basically commuting with the car over night to try and reproduce the issue. Is it possible the tech that is diagnosing your car just lives 70 miles away?