I've never been charged for a courtesy car. I'd say the very definition of "courtesy car" is one that's loaned to you out of courtesy. It's not very courteous to expect you to pay.

As the car's clearly still under warranty and the recall is Renault's own doing, I'd refuse to pay. If the dealer insists, then I would complain very loudly to RCS.

Though there can be quite a long waiting list for courtesy cars (a fortnight or more is not uncommon) so I suppose it's possible that they've arranged a hire car for you instead. If this is the case, then I'd still argue the point, and unless it's a safety critical recall, agree to wait until such time as they have a free courtesy car available. If it is a safety critical recall, then stamp your feet and demand the free loan of one of the staff's cars for the day. :d

 

Horatio thanks for that.
The thing is, I complained to renault customer services, I had the standard " we are sorry to hear about your disatisfaction....... " letter, promising to investigate.
Have now received a reply from them saying that " it was practice to charge for cars when owners cars are in for servicing, the recalls are out of the dealerships control "
This is not very good imo, I have pointed out that given it was a recall by renault then surely they should be a bit more sympathetic, apparently no.
The old argument isnt it? they have your money then promptly put up the two finger salute when you expect a bit of " courtesy "
I might take it up with my local consumer protection department.
Thanks anyway
Arnold clark warrington if anyones interested.

 

To be honest, I doubt consumer protection will get you anywhere. I'd be very surprised if you had any form of binding contract to say that they have to give you a free car when yours is in the workshop. It's purely a courtesy.

If I were you, I'd just start taking my business to another Renault dealer, even if you have to go out of your way to do it. Just make sure they haven't jumped on this 'charging for courtesy cars' bandwagon too.

Go on, hit this bunch where it hurts - in the wallet

Edit: I don't know how practical either of these would be for you, but last time we needed them, Lewis Reed in Prenton and Lookers in Chester were both still doing free courtesy cars.

 

Horatio is right. The dealer does NOT have to provide you with a loan /courtesy car. They only do it as a "courtesy" to customers to keep them on the road. Others provide a free collect/deliver service others will take you on to work/home and then pick you up again at the end of the day.
How much did they charge you? Our dealer provides free cars, typically a 2 week wait but you have the option to pay a £5 XS waiver as the insurance xs is £1000! They also ask you to pay for any fuel you use - if you return car with low fuel light on they may withdraw the courtesy car service to you if you do it again.

Also some dealers ( our Citroen dealer in particular) will not let you have a courtesy car for jobs that take less than an hour!

 

I still think they're not being very " courteous " whether or not they are supposed.
There is around about a 16 mile round journey, plus they want the car all day, its not as if it is a hour job, I could sit in the dealership and wait if that was the case.
They have not charged me anything yet, I am arguing the toss between them and rcs, I have let rcs know that they can expect the two fingered salute back when its pay back time.

 

I agree, as the car is subject to a recall they should be more co-operative.
However, from your post I get the impression you may have got a bit carried away and got too cross too soon.
We don't know the full story or how awkward your dealer is being, I am just going by the tone of your posts, sorry if I am wrong.

 

I agree, as the car is subject to a recall they should be more co-operative.
However, from your post I get the impression you may have got a bit carried away and got too cross too soon.
We don't know the full story or how awkward your dealer is being, I am just going by the tone of your posts, sorry if I am wrong.

SportTourer as you say, you dont know the full story, so here goes
I receive a recall letter, I politely call the dealership, I politely ask about the possibility of a courtesy car given that our car is to be at the dealership for a full day, I explain politely that this recall will cause inconvenience.
At no stage of the conversation do I get stroppy, no bad language, I merely reply when they mention the charge for a courtesy car that I will contact renault customer services, what is wrong in that?
I email renault customer services, again it is done in a polite calm manner.
The tone of my posts can be down to the fact that this dealership has had its money and is now giving the two fingered salute regard courtesy.
But thats ok, as I say there comes a pay back time.
If the recall is so important, safety wise, imo they should provide free courtesy cars or sort something that does not disadvantage the customer monetery wise, if someone cannot afford to pay for the courtesy car and something happens to do with the recall problem I think renault could be partially held responsible, or atleast the dealer from where the car was bought.
In all my dealings with them I have been polite, hope that helps.

 

I understand your frustration.
As they have not yet charged you for the loan car your complaints may have got you somewhere. Fingers crossed they don't charge you.

 

In all my dealings with them I have been polite, hope that helps.

It always pays to be polite, but you can be firm without being rude. Tell the dealer that you will be using another franchise in future - one that's prepared to show some respect for the investment that you've made, your continued contributions to their service department, and your possible purchase of another vehicle in the future. If they still won't budge, then keep your promise.

The Renault dealer network may have a monopoly on servicing Renault vehicles (technically, they don't, but they might as well have) but each individual dealer is still in competition with other dealers in the network. A free courtesy car could be considered as a loyalty incentive, a bit like getting Nectar Points with your fuel. If your dealer is not prepared to give you any incentives for staying loyal to their branch, then take your loyalty elsewhere.

 

In MY opinion, you get nowhere by CONTINUEING to be polite. I would play merry hell if they took this attitude and I really needed the courtesy car having told them that I was prepared to wait until one is available.

If it is a recall, you are entled to a replacement while they do whatever they have determined is necessary to rectify their FAULTY parts/labour. I would make a point of insisting on their fulfilling this obligation, even if I didn't need a car, if this is their attitude.

The work has to be carried out when it suits you or you can hold them responsible for any safety issue.

Regarding the response from RCS, I suspect that what I suggested in other posts, i.e. that the first contact response is always a "Sorry, but NO", is becoming more and more perceptible with every new complaint. Look for contacts at a higher level (elsewhere on these pages) and complain via email or phone.

I disagree that trading standards cannot or will not help you. If this is a safety issue, I would even email VOSA.

Please do let us know how this turns out.

Vass20

 

I have never been charged for a courtesy car and one of my cars is over 20 years old, whats more when I've picked my car up it's always been washed. True I sometimes have had to book in 2 weeks in advance as the dealership only has so many courtesy cars, but I have been given Kangoo, Modus, Megane and latterly the new Clio.

 

Edit: I don't know how practical either of these would be for you, but last time we needed them, Lewis Reed in Prenton and Lookers in Chester were both still doing free courtesy cars.

I agree with H - Lewis Reed offer great service and the courtesy cars are still free. I find it bad form for the dealership to charge you for the courtesy car, how much is it? I had my car in today for a sensor to be replaced but waited for it to be done. I did notice that they ask for £20/day for the insurance on the courtesy cars they provide (which I also thought was downright cheeky)

 

I have never been charged for a courtesy car and one of my cars is over 20 years old, whats more when I've picked my car up it's always been washed. True I sometimes have had to book in 2 weeks in advance as the dealership only has so many courtesy cars, but I have been given Kangoo, Modus, Megane and latterly the new Clio.

There you go Grand Scenery.... Staight from the horse's mouth, ey Mr Ed?!!!

Regarding what courtesy car they provide, I think the philosophy is that they try to tempt you to buy a new car by giving you something newer/nicer than yours, IF they think you are due for a replacement. Clever these dealers aren't they? Just look at the incentives some offer you to get you to take a trial run in one of their newer models.

I don't think they do any of this just to be nice and courteous but because (1) they are liable if the car is going in because of a recall and (2) they hope to get more of your dosh sooner rather than later. In any case, why do you think they charge £100 an hour for labour? Is it not because they have to take into account all their overheads and recurring expenses?

Unfortunately, having established the tariff globally, they then try to squirm from their obligations. They can (if they care to, through their I.T.) work out to the penny what everything costs.

I suppose that having said that, it should follow that if your dealer is only charging £30 per hour for labour, then you should maybe not insist on the added cost of a courtesy car. (Just so nobody decides I'm just a litigious bazturd who doesn't have any inclination towards being fair.)

Mega-modern showrooms and half a dozen suited sales executives (mostly sitting around doing nothing) costa mucho, si?

Enjoy the weather all you nice people.

Vass20

 

My dealership did not provide a courtesy car,
but it did run myself to and from the dealership in times
of repairs. This I find IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE.

Slaters ABERGELE.

 

Just raising an old thread from the dead.

I've never been charged for a courtesy car either in the past, although Renault seem to have moved the goal posts now.

During booking in for my cars first service I asked if a courtesy car would be available?

The Renault dealers response was "No sir, I'm sorry we no longer offer a courtesy car, but we will be more than will to give you a lift to the nearest bus stop of your choice.

Renault UK I believe this is both :crazy: & cheap skate.

 

courtesy cars are a bit of a sore subject to me. i was 18 and asked for a curtosey car, and got one. at the time i was perfectly happy till a few months later i put my car in for a service asked for a courtesy car and they told me no, on account that IM TOO YOUNG AND WOULD BE UNINSURED!!!!! so on the previous 3 occasions id been driving uninsured. i was fuming i can tell you.