During this time, they admitted they had never repaired an Elise before, and were discovering what parts were required as they dismantled the front clam. The damage was fairly minor and only cosmetic so it didn't disturb me too much.
Almost each day after the 2nd week passed I calle dthem and was assured the next day I would have it back, so long as they got the parts from Lotus. This went on for another 2 weeks. They came back to me to say that there was a worldwide shortage of front grille's and they would need to keep the car indefinitely till it came in. I declined, and asked to have the car anyway. They argued for another 2 weeks that it might come in, lying that Lotus had been in touch with them. They hadn't. I called Lotus's parts guy and he hadn't spoken to them for weeks. The experience so far then has been full of sh*t and unrealistic commit dates pulled from a hat.
After 6 weeks I drive to the bodyshop and demand my car back. I offer to fit the grilles when they eventually arrive if they are easy. The boss makes me an offer that if it's too hard to come in and they will do it. The rear arch protectors aren't in yet so they will need to be done later too, along with the headlamp cover.
I drive off. I get home and the exhaust is still making the same rattle as it did when I handed the car in. The next morning the screen is misted and I switch on the aircon - nothing happens. It's f**ked. I drive it down a couple of days later to have the exhaust looked at, and the aircon fixed.
It's in for a whole day, and they have now managed to get the relay to click and the pump to switch on, but didn't have time to look at the exhaust. I agree to leave that until the rest of the parts are in and have it all done at the same time. I soon discover that although the pump comes on, it doesn't change the temperature of the air it blows, so it's still f**ked.
I get a call last week to tell me all my parts are finally in and that if I bring it in on Wed this week I can have a courtesy car and all the work will be done. I drive down today, the guy who called me is off, has left no info for the boss who is in the office and am sent away again until Monday when he's back.
While I'm there I show him all the issues, he argues that the exhaust is not his problem, then I mention that I reported it when I handed the car in, and that before I understeered down a ditch it wasn't making that noise. He says he will have to speak to the guy who's been dealing with the car who's back on monday.
He questions why we ordered the rear arch protectors and I tell him because they were damaged in the off. He seems unconvinced and confrontational.
He says that I said I would fit the grilles, and I said I don't have all the parts. Again he wants to speak to the other guy on Monday about it.
So it basically seems that now they have it out of the workshop, the boss is reluctant to take it back in and finish the work they were asked to do and fix the aircon issue which they have induced. I am getting pissed off here...
) team but you'd probably have more success complaining to your insurer as it was them wot recomeneded you go to AC. I've heard If you can get the personal mobile number of your assessor and phone him every day until he gives in you might get a result *
Were a bit more pleasant right enough..