Well they collected it this afternoon instead of tomorrow, I put it into neutral and let it roll back to make sure the noise was still there and it was. Now the anxious wait.
Smart Fortwo DCT Mechanical Problem
- Thread starter nlel1975
- Start date
You were spot on, a piece of the plastic under tray has broken off and is causing the rubbing. They are delivering the car back to me and ordering a replacement part. They’ve temporarily removed it so it doesn’t make the noise.
No way I could have figured this out by myself and no way I would know what part to order or how to fit it. Seems it was an easy one for them to diagnose after all. They will let me know how much it’s going to cost in due course.
I blame that damn puddle and the fact that I didn't see it until I'd gone through it like a river.Yep easiest £86 they've ever earnt I should think
Just had another email, the inspection was free but the repair work will be £371.70. At least it wasn't the £600 or more I feared.
The official diagnosis "Investigated noise under vehicle , found front and rear undertrays damaged with parts hanging off, new required including fixings 1hrs"
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They have valeted my car as well, and they pick it up and deliver it back as part of the service. I don’t mind paying a little extra maybe for quality service. They didn’t charge for the inspection anyway meaning I could go somewhere else if I wanted and I didn’t have to approve their repair quote.
I know they’ll use genuine parts too.
I know they’ll use genuine parts too.
Just wanted to make sure in case some water or something got onto it whilst they’re not protected.
I'd rather have new parts, I'm not a cheapskate.
It’s only £371.70 in total they’ve not charged me the £86 for the inspection. I can easily afford it and that’s all that matters. Don’t care if a back street garage could do it for £150 less, and the independent around my way are starting to get greedy.
Fixing the under tray is regarded as urgent according to the Vehicle Health Check...
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I don’t want parts missing from my car, or a bodge job. I don’t care if the part is made of plastic or sterling silver, I just want it replaced. I’m not a hands on type when it comes to cars so there is nothing I could have done to save myself money, bar going to a cheaper garage.
Well it’s not mended yet but the parts are on order.
It could be worse, an old lady I know who rents her property had her shower breakdown and the landlord wants her to pay the £600 to fix it. Then there’s my brother whose iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB won’t charge properly meaning he can’t sell it for £300 when he upgrades to an iPhone 14.
Then there’s my mate in Australia with OCD he’s got less than $1000 in his bank account but pays for private health care because he deems it better, he’s not really wealthy enough to have it and I certainly don’t.
Then there’s my mate in Australia with OCD he’s got less than $1000 in his bank account but pays for private health care because he deems it better, he’s not really wealthy enough to have it and I certainly don’t.
I akin having my car seen to by the main dealer to having private health care, it’s deemed to be better.
Went for a drive this morning, didn’t go yesterday because it was raining. Anyway as expected no noise when in neutral and rolling backwards, never in doubt. Was a bit worried about going through puddles with the under trays missing despite what the technician said about it being safe to drive. So I’ll be pleased when the new ones are fitted.
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I was on my way to get petrol when I went through that puddle. That mistake is going to cost me £371.70. So I’m not going to that station again, there’s another one which adds about 15 minutes to my journey but the petrol is a bit cheaper there anyway.
Don’t want to make the same mistake twice. I’ve never had such a problem in 9 years of motoring.
Don’t want to make the same mistake twice. I’ve never had such a problem in 9 years of motoring.
Cars a 2019 with 4400 miles and is still worth several grand. It’s not some old banger that’s not worth repairing. I really don’t mind spending £371.70 on it. It won’t keep me awake at night and I would be happier with the parts replaced then having £371.70 in my bank account doing nothing.
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Yeah I’m not afraid to spend a few bob on detailing products.
This one’s similar to mine…
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/Smart
They want £12,750 for it. It’s not some old banger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/Smart
They want £12,750 for it. It’s not some old banger.
Well at £371.70 it’s certainly not uneconomical to repair when the cars still worth as much as it is. Being as it’s cosmetic damage from going through a puddle I could probably claim on insurance but I won’t as I have an excess of £150 and would prefer to pay for it all myself.
Just had another look at my schedule my excess is only £100 it used to be £150 up until 2019. Can’t really be bothered getting insurance involved would have to go through all the hassle that entails and would lose my NCB.
If it was like £1000 then I would, plus it’ll get done quicker if I sort it out myself. A claim like this probably wouldn’t do to much damage to my premiums which were £166 last year.
Besides the main dealer have got the parts on order anyway, my insurance company would use their own repairers and probably not the main dealer.
If it was like £1000 then I would, plus it’ll get done quicker if I sort it out myself. A claim like this probably wouldn’t do to much damage to my premiums which were £166 last year.
Besides the main dealer have got the parts on order anyway, my insurance company would use their own repairers and probably not the main dealer.