£548 repair bill and STILL not driving
I am fully aware of the supposed expert knowledge and following that this garage has with all Italian cars.
My experience is my experience.
I own a 1970 Fiat 500 and it had starting problems.
My local garage had tried and failed to cure it.
Since the car was not driving and Middle Barton is a 2 hour drive away, I decided to have the car moved by a transport company, £190.
Considering the expected repair abilities of Middle Barton, I was willing to accept the transport costs since my Fiat 500 would surely be in the best hands.
The car received a prompt diagnosis and repair. It took about 3 days from the time she was delivered.
The bill from Middle Barton Garage was £548.66 and this was paid over the phone.
The car had been tested and road tested, so they said.
So, £548.66 + £190 = £738.66
Around 10 days later, the first available weekend for us to travel the 2 hours to collect her, we drove to Middle Barton Garage.
As it was the weekend, it was effectively closed aside from Tony (The Owner) working inside.
We said our hellos, collected the keys and began to drive the Fiat 500 away.
She made it 50 metres before stopping.
She didn't even make it to the gate.
She wouldn't start again.
I walked back, explained to Tony and we pushed the car back.
Tony worked on the car and established at least 2 problems that it wouldn't be unreasonable for anybody to think should have been seen and rectified during the £548 repair.
The car eventually ran again and we drove home.
The car was garaged.
7 days later, Sunday 10th July, we went to drive her out and she would not start.
Turning over and turning over - but would not start.
Sending her to Middle Barton, at a total cost of £738 + the travel time and costs to retrieve her, was a complete waste of money.
Additionally, it does not explain how the car would leave the repair after having extensive work and road tests, to not even make it 50 metres and to still have clear issues.
Calling Middle Barton Garage today (11th July 2022) and explaining to Tony his response was that he never charged me for the work he did after she failed to make it to the gate which I found completely insulting since the repair SHOULD have fixed the car.
If his team leaves customer cars supposedly repaired and ready to drive away, and yet there are remaining issues that should have been remedied, then a customer should simply not be expected to pay.
His answer to everything was to call the RAC.
He didn't even talk about getting the car back to him to further inspect - his after sales was simply to call the RAC.
Under no circumstances will our Fiat 500 be going near Middle Barton Garage again.
Like I said at the beginning of this review, I am under no illusion of the following that Tony has in the Fiat World, so this review is my exact experience.