Broken down in Spain - any fluent Spanish speakers ?

[h1ghway1]

I arrived in Santander on Thursday afternoon, broke down about 30 minutes later, towed back to the breakdown garage at 9pm in Tanos.
Taken to a Fiat Professional garage in Torrelavega on Friday who could not accept vehicle as they are rammed full.
Now weekending in an industrial park
I'm now waiting to see if I can get into a Fiat Pro in Santander.
Is there anyone prepared to help with translation as I don't have a word of Spanish.

 

[denisejoe]

your breakdown company mine were very helpful when speaking to breakdown driver and the garage as most operators are multi lingual

 

[tonka]

do you have an Android phone or tablet.. Google translate can be better than nothing..
I once used mine on speaker and placed it on the desk as i was trying to book into a motel in France.. Seemed to work ok as we did end up with a bed to sleep in.

 

[h1ghway1]

Well they do their best but it's a very slow process, I'm with Caravanguard and they don't seem to have a lot of staff.

 

[Tombola]

As above, if you o u have a phone open Google then translate, y9u choose the language and speak into it, it then repeats back in Spanish.

Don't worry about being a pratt using it, loads of em use it, it's excellent

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[h1ghway1]

I'm using Google translate ... thanks

 

[jumar]

Good luck..have faith...Spanish mechanics are top notch in my experience..

 

[h1ghway1]

My previous experience with Spanish mechanics is good

 

[steve69]

I'm using Google translate ... thanks

One of THE best things that a smartphone can do. It came in very handy for me in Thailand.

 

[MichaelT]

On the latest AI android phones it has call assist which translates everything as you and they talk. Samsung S24.

Used Google translate when we had a puncture last year in espania when I went to tyre place, just typed it all out then showed it to the man on reception, 30 minutes later all mended and on my way.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[EuroTrotters]

I speak basic Spanish.

Last time I went to a garage in Bilbao with a puncture, they replied in Basque.

Builders merchants in valencian regions switch to valenciano when you need to return something or have a disagreement. Even my Spanish friends don’t speak valenciano !.

 

[jumartoo]

We have a Spanish member on here. I'll leave him to see your post and respond if he wants to get involved.

Good luck.

 

[h1ghway1]

Jumartoo.. greatly appreciated.. thanks

 

[Brains]

May be of some help.
But it's Mercedes

We had our dashboard light up like a Xmas tree.
We ended up at Adarsa Norte in Torrelavega
(10 miles east of Santander and possibly walking distance from where you are now).

The main guy, called Ivan, spoke perfect English as he lived in the UK for 10 years.
Incredibly helpful, diagnosed the problem inside 10 mins, ordered the parts for next day delivery, opened early to fit us in for 7am and we were on our way by lunchtime.

Whilst they may not actually be able to help, a call to Ivan may point you in the right direction and find another English speaking garage in the area.

 

[Brains]

FYI:

Nearest decent campsite, which we have used a couple of times as it very convenient for the Santander Ferries,
is Camping Oyambre which is about a 20-30 min drive from your current location (once you can move!)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[h1ghway1]

Ignore, can't work out deleting duplicate reply

 

[Lenny HB]

Peavy can you help.

 

[Brains]

FYI
This place is 'just up the road', Auto-Gomas also in Torrelavega.

They claim they are:
Number one For repairs, vehicle maintenance or mechanical service, make an appointment at our official Citroën, DS Automobiles, Kia, Nissan, Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, MG, Opel, Peugeot, Maxus, Aixam, Omoda and BYD mechanic workshops.

Looks like a new set up, no English language reviews.

 

[h1ghway1]

Brains, they turned me away on Friday...too busy..

 

[TerryL]

You haven't mentioned what your problem is, maybe someone on here can help in at least getting you going.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Brains]

Brains, they turned me away on Friday...too busy..

A google search seem to show the next nearest Fiat garage is the same company, Auto-Gomas, but the main branch in the middle of Santander.
(which actually seem to be Fiat specialists)

El Campón, s/n, 39011 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
+34942352150
It looks like a chap called David speaks English

Only other Fiat options seem to be around Bilbao.

 

[h1ghway1]

Brains, that's who I'm aiming for tomorrow

 

[h1ghway1]

Terry..the recovery guy thinks it a broken cambelt and said best take to Fiat Pro for proper diagnosis.. praying my engine isn't knackered
I was cruising along about 55mph when engine lost power, no warning lights and a horrible clunky as I coasted to hard shoulder. Starter turns but engine not starting.

 

[Norrimac]

I arrived in Santander on Thursday afternoon, broke down about 30 minutes later, towed back to the breakdown garage at 9pm in Tanos.
Taken to a Fiat Professional garage in Torrelavega on Friday who could not accept vehicle as they are rammed full.
Now weekending in an industrial park
I'm now waiting to see if I can get into a Fiat Pro in Santander.
Is there anyone prepared to help with translation as I don't have a word of Spanish.

Me. I'm in Valencia. (Not that that matters.)

You got WhatsApp on your phone?

Norm.

 

[h1ghway1]

Pm sent

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Peavy]

Peavy can you help.

Just saw this. PM sent to h1ghway1

 

[TerryL]

Terry..the recovery guy thinks it a broken cambelt and said best take to Fiat Pro for proper diagnosis.. praying my engine isn't knackered
I was cruising along about 55mph when engine lost power, no warning lights and a horrible clunky as I coasted to hard shoulder. Starter turns but engine not starting.

Hmm, not an easy fix and "clunky" sounds like it might get expensive. Do you have any repatriation options in your breakdown cover?
Anyway, hope you get some better news tomorrow.

 

[Davecrawf]

Good luck..have faith...Spanish mechanics are top notch in my experience..

Agreed. My experience also.