2025 Omlet tractor Go Up with 5m run and new boxed auto door and covers. £950 for bundle

[Hens@HalfMoonLane]

My steering went on the motorway last Monday morning - very scary, couldn't move the wheel not even an inch.. I was towed away to nearest Alfa garage. I was told the powere steering pipe had split due to the cold weather and they replaced it under warranty as it's still fairly new. I picked it up and 35 miles later it happened again this time on my way home. Happened at 5.30 and got home 9.45pm messing about with AA subcontractor in -2degrees weather conditions, not happy at all and now feel like I never want to drive the car again.

 

The Alfa garage was apologetic and phoned me at work the next day to say the steering column needs replacing. I gave it the "how could you put me in a dangerous situation by not fixing the fault correctly in the first place.

 

I now find out that a Mito has electronic power steering which is controlled through sensors in the steering column and doesn't even have power steering pipes for hydraulic fluid. I phoned the garage to ask them exactly what had been replaced previously to be told again it was the power steering pipe. I said it doesn't have one and what was the part number. The service desk assistant looked it up and reliably informed me it was a "tube".

 

I've demanded to be told exactly what they replaced and have been told the workshop manager will call me on Monday. I'm sure they did nothing and just let me drive off in a car with a very serious steering fault. What do you think I should do. They did a service for £400 at the same time - I'm wondering whether they did this right too.

[chuckmum6]

It all sound pretty shocking, I would take your car to another Alfa dealer or the AA if possible and get them to look at what has/needs to be done. Maybe a chat over the phone regarding the steering on a Mito with a different dealer? Then depending on what the dealer have to say, I would mention a Trading Standards and your lose of confidence in the quality of the work done. Just check out the facts first regarding the parts and work carried out, it does sound like they left you with a car that was unsafe and put you at risk. I would have expected them to have checked all of the steering during a service and the repair work. Is there a recall on the car if so they certainly should have known about it. Good luck.

[chick wiggle]

OMG Hens, that sounds so scary! Cant really help with advice but that garage, if they let you drive away with an unsafe care, needs naming and shaming ... and reporting too, but i dont know who you report these things to.

Good Luck hun x

[Adelochick]

Sorry you have had such a traumatic experience with your Alfa Mito. I've no clue about these cars, so asked my OH to read your post. You don't say how old your car is or how long the warranty is for, but from reading the details posted my OH says that this car is electric-powered steering and he can't understand why it would have a fluid pipe for the steering that would freeze. If it was hydraulic-powered steering instead, then it would have to be darned cold for the oil to freeze in the pipes! From looking on the internet he says that hydraulic fluid is still usable from around -40degC so very coooollldddd!

 

He suggests you get in touch with Alfa Romeo company direct by telephoning them on 0800 25320000 monday to friday 9-6pm. Then as chuckmum6 has said, get in touch with Trading Standards to see if they have any complaints about the garage you were towed to (for help) who left you in control of an unsafe car despite you paying for the costly service/repair job!

 

Hope all goes well for you, and you get a good result and confidence in your car again. Best wishes, Jx.

[Duncan08]

That would be my suggestion too. Alfa direct, these garages trade under their name so would be good to get their opinion and support.