Avoid this car dealership-garage as they will rip you off

[Samdy Gray]

If used every day its fine, but if left for a day standing it won't start. Nothing whatsoever. There is a drain somewhere. On both bits of paper work from the assist guys it says the battery is fine, the dealer has seen this paperwork.

I'd be checking to see if any lights are staying on after you've locked the car (interior & exterior). Might have to fold the back seat down to check the boot light.

[Sippo]

I haven't bought it yet. I want to do it myself, but that's the predicament I'm in. If I change it myself then it isn't the battery then I'm stuffed. Is it easy to change a battery?

[Samdy Gray]

Is it easy to change a battery?

Piece of piss. The radio might need coding after you change it though, so make sure you have the radio code.

[Sippo]

Can't see if I have the radio code as the book is in the car! Grr. Guess I could ask them while there.

What a fucking hassle. The weather is crap this week, and without a garage I may just get them to do it.

[chalkies_shorts]

Used to have a problem with the battery draining in one of my cars and found it was the rear heated windscreen permanently on. Took the fuse out and it was fine after that...as long as I didn;t want a rear heated windscreen. Got it fixed when i needed some other work doing.
I've been using Auto Engine Tune in St Phillips Road for years, first Eddie, then Kev and they've always been fair to me.

[Samdy Gray]

What a fucking hassle. The weather is crap this week, and without a garage I may just get them to do it.

You mean you've never had to fix something in the dark when it's pissing down with rain; spanner in one hand, brolly in the other and a torch in your mouth?

[otanswell]

My Fiat Punto has a problem with the electric power steering being intermittent. I start the car again and it works fine then a few miles cuts out again.
Took it to Fiat and they said its ok to drive without the power steering

Gonna have bigger muscles than fucking Hulk Hogan at this rate driving to work

[ronnie21]

Used to have a problem with the battery draining in one of my cars and found it was the rear heated windscreen permanently on. Took the fuse out and it was fine after that...as long as I didn;t want a rear heated windscreen. Got it fixed when i needed some other work doing.
I've been using Auto Engine Tune in St Phillips Road for years, first Eddie, then Kev and they've always been fair to me.

Auto Engine Tune are ok, although I now use Kall Fit on Kembrey Park - have found  them very helpful and do not rip you off.  Had a nasty burning smell coming from underneath this week, took it down there, they took the front wheels off, no sign of a problem, put it on the ramp and all became clear - a piece of plastic had wrapped itself around the cat converter.  Boss just said let it call down and I will put some cleaner on it and get it off.  Thirty minutes later he took it out on test drive and came back and announced the smell had gone.  Asked him "how much do I owe you", "nothing" he said!  If that had gone to Fish Bros Renault I'll bet my house they would have told me it needed a new cat converter!!

[yeo]

Kall Fit sound like a dodgy version of Kwik Fit..

Having been in the Motor Trade for 20 years in Swindon id probably only recommend Mike Allen and Bob Wiseman .Doubt either are cheap though.

Found an amazing online review of the place I work for the other day,well of one of our staff anyway

We were two ladies that broke down this evening Tues.July 24th on Thamesdown drive Swindon. Greenmeadow Recovery came to our aid after ringing the AA.A gentleman called Terry came to help us and the service he provided was outstanding, nothing was to much trouble he was helpful understanding polite and friendly. I have never broken down before but he was on hand to sort everything out and made us both feel calm and safe as he took control of the situation. In this day and age this kind of service is very hard to find and it regains your faith in the human race when you come across the Terry's of this world. Greenmeadow Recovery has an exemplary employee in this man and i would like to say a big thank you to him from to very grateful ladies.

Name: Sue Chalklin

[LucienSanchez]

I always use Bob Wiseman, and he does seem to be very reasonably priced

[genf_stfc]

This is some years ago and not in swindon but a friend of mine bought a renault 19 from auction. didnt have any problem with it but thought it would be sensible to take it to a dealer to give it a check after a few days.

It came back the alternator was knackered and that and the battery needed replacing. Mate was a bit sceptical and rather than taking them up on their offer of about a grand to fix it he got them to jump start it and drove it home. Called the AA, who found that the boot internal light had been wired to stay on permanently, hence flattening the battery. Couldnt prove it was the renault dealer, but pretty strange that a car that was ok suddenly rewired itself. Could be a common scam.

Id never go to a main dealer. always find a local back street garage that has been there a good few years. if the workshop is really clean and tidy run a mile!

[Batch]

Id never go to a main dealer. always find a local back street garage that has been there a good few years. if the workshop is really clean and tidy run a mile!

Looks can be deceptive.

I'd never have gone within a mile of the guy I last used in Hill Corner Road in Chippenham had work colleagues not recommended him. Runs a garage out his old house garage.

Bloke was totally spot on, got a timing belt/tensioners/other belts done on the Mrs car for £177, didn't charge anything for diagnostics to find the cause of the clunking from the engine.

Also hadn't made up the bill so told me to "pay him tomorrow" - despite barely knowing me.

[leefer]

DGS Autos in Dores Road is who i use....new battery,new tyre and full MOT for less than £150 including  VAT.

[Baggins]

My Fiat Punto has a problem with the electric power steering being intermittent. I start the car again and it works fine then a few miles cuts out again.
Took it to Fiat and they said its ok to drive without the power steering

Gonna have bigger muscles than fucking Hulk Hogan at this rate driving to work

You might want to look at this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2012/04/fiat_power_steering.html

[Baggins]

If Fiat actually said that to you then that's pretty shocking.  If it cuts out at speed or in a corner it could be really bad news.

Luckily, my 59 plate Punto seems to be made after the fault highlighted in your post and in the clip.  I would go straight back to Fiat and shout at them.