Just before our caravaning holiday in August we decided to get the MOT done on our Nissan Navara because it would be due on our return in September, best to get it done in advance we thought. To our shock the vehicle was confiscated by Nissan, it was un-roadworthy - because the chassis had split, and it was most certainly not fit to tow. There were six other vehicles in Nissan's compound with the same problem. Our investigations (and a simple search on google) into the problem revealed that Navaras produced between 2004 - 2010 have, in Australia been called back for this problem but have not been called back in UK or Ireland event hough there have been several thousand vehicles identified with the chassis problem. If you know you own a Navara 2004 - 2010 model please have it checked by Nissan. Other garages don't seem to be aware of the problem. We don't usually go to Nissan for MOT but glad we did on this occasion. There is a 12 year guarantee on the chassis so the problem is with the part manufacturer not with Nissan. Nissan, Burnley, have been great and sorted us out with a replacement vehicle in 3 days notice so we could continue with our holiday plans. Better to be safe than sorry!
Someone should have been punched in the face. Several times. Your vehicle - no garage has the right to "confiscate" the vehicle, even if the chassis is snapped in half and you can put your feet through the floor.
If a car is found to be unroadworthy & dangerous to drive during an mot test then garage does have some powers to prevent owner driving it away from garage. It is a grey area though & it is up to the garage. Obviously in the end they would have to release customer's property to them but if garage simply refused to release a dangerous vehicle to a customer who was intent on driving that vehicle away then ultimately garage would have the law on it's side.
If Nissan is repairing car at no cost to customer then obviously it is to customer's advantage to cooperate with garage.
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 31/8/2016
If a car is found to be unroadworthy & dangerous to drive during an mot test then garage does have some powers to prevent owner driving it away from garage. It is a grey area though & it is up to the garage. Obviously in the end they would have to release customer's property to them but if garage simply refused to release a dangerous vehicle to a customer who was intent on driving that vehicle away then ultimately garage would have the law on it's side.
If Nissan is repairing car at no cost to customer then obviously it is to customer's advantage to cooperate with garage.
I would be very happy for Nissan to confiscate the vehicle ,the alternative whilst towing a caravan does not bare thinking about.
Especially as they have provided an alternative.
As Opensauce says I believe garages have the right to keep a vehicle ,the other alternative is they notify the police you are driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
The main thing you can still enjoy your holiday safely.
Regards,
Greg
Plenty of info if you google. It's even got it's own facebook page 'Nissan Navara snapped chassis group'. This is a commercial vehicle though & could be subject to all sorts of abuse like overweight towing & overloading so probably not quite as clear cut as a manufacturing fault that needs a recall.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Nissan Navara chassis problem
