Last night on the way back from a restaurant in Collonges la Rouge the engine management light came on, in our son's car. This morning at around 11.00 he phoned his breakdown service - the AA. We were given an arrival time, and a good few minutes earlier than expected a British Yellow AA van arrived!
The AA now have a team of twelve British mechanics - two in Nantes, two in Bordeaux, two in Beziers, two in Nice, and four in Lyon. Our van came out from Bordeaux, via another job somewhere else.
He diagnosed the problem - with the spark plugs or the coils, and initially replaced the spark plugs, took the car out for a test drive, and then reported it running OK. He suggested our son took the car out, being more familiar with how it normally runs, and he was quite happy that the problem had been solved.
The mechanic also brought a set of coils out with him, just in case, but thought that they weren't needed. However, if there are any subsequent problems during the course of their holiday he will come back and fit them!
Fantastic service - everything sorted within a couple of hours, English spoken, everything familiar. It will be very reassuring to those who have worries about breakdowns in France, during the summer, that if you call out the AA anywhere except on the peage, that it's likely a British Yellow Van will turn up.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The Dutch ANWB and German ADAC have been operating this service for some years.Sending some of their Patrols to popular tourist areas where the Dutch and Germans holiday in high season.
Aswell as France the ANWB and ADAC also operate in parts of Italy and Spain.
Many of the Patrols are based on Campsites, staying in 'Statics' as their summer home.
The Dutch ANWB has quite a Youtube following where you can see them in action dealing with problems, many of which are on Campsites.
The ANWB and ADAC share the same Emergency Centre with the AA in Lyon
Nice to see a company being pro-active to the customer's needs and wants, well done the AA. and glad to hear of the resolution to your problem was swift and pleasant Val.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
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: AA Breakdown using British mechanics
