Broken down in Germany! Repatriation experiences please

[NCAtt24]

Hi,

Our motorhome has broken down in Germany. Luckily we are on a stellplatz and can stay here for 1 more night so its given us a bit of time to consider our options. Has anyone had any experience of AA repatriating your vehicle? If so, what to expect?

We've had 3 recovery men out who have come ill equipped to deal with anything other than towing us away. Essentially the gear box is in neutral, the gear stick is in park, and the vehicles computer system thinks it's in reverse. We have had someone do diagnostics on it and got the error code but it cannot be cleared. Its a 2020 9 speed auto fiat ducato.

The 3rd ADAC recovery vehicle tried towing us away to a garage nearby - but failed due to the length of the vehicle. They were supposed to be sending another recovery truck, however that never arrived. Instead we had a phone call saying that no local garages could fix the motorhome until September which I find difficult to believe. But here we are.... our only option now is for them to repatriate our motorhome and us separately.

We have an electric bike on the back which they are saying is not covered for loss or damage. What have people done with their bikes?

Has anyone suffered any loss or damage on repatriation? Is there any additional insurance we can take out to cover our contents?

 

[Charente16]

A Fiat is a Fiat in which ever country it is in, so one Fiat Commercial is as good as any other.

Will it be repaired any quicker in the UK in August?

When I was in your position in Germany, I opted to leave the vehicle there to be repaired rather than return it to France. My insurance company (Allianze) were happy to oblige rather than transport a 7m van 1200kms, they paid hotel/fares as well as for the 'return' trip; a lot cheaper for them than the cost of the transporter. I was able to visit and appraise the garage, talk to the owner and was happy to leave my vehicle/contents in his care.

It is more than likely that multiple 'contractors' will be used in the Repatriation process and therefore more chance of accidental damage to the vehicle and chance for things to go missing.

Just my experience, feel for you and your family having to go through the same whilst on your summer holidays.

Robert

 

[Flairy]

We’re are you in Germany there’s many very good Fiat commercial dealers in Germany I’ve used them for nearly 30 years.This is MW Fahrzeugtechnik 0049 64456120500 The chief is Mario Wendt he speaks perfect English,he might be able to advise you

 

[NCAtt24]

Thank you, we are in Bad Aibling at the minute unfortunately quite far from the one you suggested. Our return ferry was booked for Sunday.

We've only had the motorhome since March so it's still under warranty and the dealer has asked it be returned to them for repair when the options were given for repatriation rather than local repair. We'd have it repaired here and drive it back ourselves but I don't think our breakdown will cover it, I will speak to them again this morning.

 

[Flairy]

There is a Fiat professional dealer Autohous Strasser at Rosenheim just down the road 0049 831 20450

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[Jimbohorlicks]

You could stow the bikes inside your van suitably wrapped etc and fasted to something. Take the front wheels off.maybe.

 

[Gellyneck]

Thank you, we are in Bad Aibling at the minute unfortunately quite far from the one you suggested. Our return ferry was booked for Sunday.

We've only had the motorhome since March so it's still under warranty and the dealer has asked it be returned to them for repair when the options were given for repatriation rather than local repair. We'd have it repaired here and drive it back ourselves but I don't think our breakdown will cover it, I will speak to them again this morning.

If it's new and from a dealer they may very well outsource the repair to FIAT Professional as they will claim under the original base vehicle warranty. If so, I would assume FIAT would accept repair at any of their European depots.

 

[Flairy]

The dealer won’t want to touch the Fiat part.

 

[clanjones]

When we broke down in Germany last year it took 3 breakdown vehicles before we could be moved to an IVECO dealer. Nothing as dramatic as you though. Our breakdown cover was via Nationwide and AA. I did have to keep on the case to keep things moving.

Good luck!

 

[MichaelT]

The dealer won’t want to touch the Fiat part.

Unless they are Fiat professionals of course.

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[brynric]

We had a clutch fail in Germany some years ago. Like you we were on an aire so there was no immediate risk. Green flag indurance were excellent. We were rescued to a commercial garage in Trier where we were given the option of staying in the van on the premises or a few nights in a hotel. The garage said the repair could be done within the week so we went for the hotel option.
We had several days cycling around Trier and got the van back by the end of the week, along with a substantial bill for a new clutch. But we could still meet up with friends as planned and make our arranged train home.

 

[LostInSpace]

Check the earth straps on the Engine, Battery and Gearbox. They are prone to having bad connections.

Our 2022 9-speed was off the road for eight weeks with a bad earth.

Fiat professional sorted it quickly, when they, eventually, had time to book it in.!

 

[The Coops]

Get the price of an air fare back home for the two of you plus ongoing travel and hotels and a goodwill payment for ancillary costs plus return airfare to pick up, if the van is under two years old its covered by Fiat regardless of what they say and present the costs to Fiat with a proviso that you are happy for them to repair in Germany as long as they are prepared to cover your additional expenses. I had something similar with a Honda ( yes they do breakdown)in France, they paid for everything as long as we had kept the receipts and the return air tickets, ferry and fuel costs It was about £3500 in total ( it was 10 years ago)

 

[jerryz]

is it a comformatic???

 

[MichaelT]

is it a comformatic???

He says in the post it's a 2020 9 speed auto so no. Probably one of the under filled oil ones maybe?

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[Landy Andy]

Assume you have tried disconnecting the battery?
Possibly going through the gears without power and see if it resets itself, on reconnecting power

 

[NCAtt24]

Hi all thanks you for all your suggestions and advice!

My Dad has been trying all sorts to try and sort it and he's managed it! It was a bad connection on the gearbox ECU. Had a test drive and all looks OK for now so hopefully we can make it back home!

A special thanks to Roby2008 who came out to see us, offered a lot of help and assistance. His wife translated with the local Fiat dealer to get us sorted out if we hadn't fixed it including offering us bike storage and help with retrieving our motorhome. Thank you so much for your kindness! Hopefully we can pass on the same act of kindness one day!

 

[mikebeaches]

Very pleased you have been able to resolve the issue. Breakdowns on the continent can be a nightmare if it is something that can't be easily fixed.

Hope you have a smooth and uneventful return to Blighty.

 

[1967bowesj]

NCAtt24
Get your yearly subscription paid as you will enjoy the full benefits of the best warmest most helpful forum you will join.
Ps you only have two free posts left

 

[lorger]

Glad to hear you’re sorted, another example of the power of FUN. As said above I’d recommend you join as you’ve probably saved a few years subscription costs already.

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[gus-lopez]

Great to hear it is sorted & wonderful that Roby2008 & his wife were able to offer assistance & storage if needed. Best 20 quid you will ever spend

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Deleted dupicated

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Hi all thanks you for all your suggestions and advice!

My Dad has been trying all sorts to try and sort it and he's managed it! It was a bad connection on the gearbox ECU. Had a test drive and all looks OK for now so hopefully we can make it back home!

A special thanks to Roby2008 who came out to see us, offered a lot of help and assistance. His wife translated with the local Fiat dealer to get us sorted out if we hadn't fixed it including offering us bike storage and help with retrieving our motorhome. Thank you so much for your kindness! Hopefully we can pass on the same act of kindness one day!

It's good that it's sorted and such a simple fix. A bad earth connection on 2020 van?
Well done Roby2008. for helping out

 

[Flairy]

Well done sorting your problem you can now enjoy you holiday

 

[Roby2008]

Hi,

Our motorhome has broken down in Germany. Luckily we are on a stellplatz and can stay here for 1 more night so its given us a bit of time to consider our options. Has anyone had any experience of AA repatriating your vehicle? If so, what to expect?

We've had 3 recovery men out who have come ill equipped to deal with anything other than towing us away. Essentially the gear box is in neutral, the gear stick is in park, and the vehicles computer system thinks it's in reverse. We have had someone do diagnostics on it and got the error code but it cannot be cleared. Its a 2020 9 speed auto fiat ducato.

The 3rd ADAC recovery vehicle tried towing us away to a garage nearby - but failed due to the length of the vehicle. They were supposed to be sending another recovery truck, however that never arrived. Instead we had a phone call saying that no local garages could fix the motorhome until September which I find difficult to believe. But here we are.... our only option now is for them to repatriate our motorhome and us separately.

We have an electric bike on the back which they are saying is not covered for loss or damage. What have people done with their bikes?

Has anyone suffered any loss or damage on repatriation? Is there any additional insurance we can take out to cover our contents?

Thanks for the compliments, we are pleased that it is sorted and you can be on your way...
As promised, here are the Stellplatz we use in Luxembourg.

Stellplatz Koerich, Chemin de la source 8388, Koerich, Luxembourg. - only 6 places but free and has a dump station....

Port de plaisance, Schwebsingen, r.du port, schwebsange, schengen, Luxembourg.... not free but nice location on the moselle......that being said, there are 4 stellplatz places in front of the restaurant, these are free I believe....

The piece de resistance is the baguette automat at the gate!

Safe travels

Rob

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[NCAtt24]

NCAtt24
Get your yearly subscription paid as you will enjoy the full benefits of the best warmest most helpful forum you will join.
Ps you only have two free posts left

We paid in Feb when we joined. I have just checked my bank to make sure. I'm not sure what's happened if its not showing that I've paid a membership fee?

 

[Phill D]

We paid in Feb when we joined. I have just checked my bank to make sure. I'm not sure what's happened if its not showing that I've paid a membership fee?

dont worry your name is in Blue that indicates you are a paid up member.

 

[1967bowesj]

dont worry your name is in Blue that indicates you are a paid up member.

Think I need to refresh my iPad, that name didn’t show in blue.
Blinking i.t.

 

[DerryW]

I’ve said it before and no doubt say it again
“The power of MF Forume”