I have had a major dispute with Vauxhall Peter Vardy in Perth. I have found their staff extremely rude and sarcastic and the customer care disgusting - I was actually lost for words.

My car went in for a Service at a local garage on Monday. The brakes had felt strange for a while. The garage found that the Caliper Seal had popped out which caused the RHS break to seize on so the pads & discs required replacing. The garage (whom I've used for a long time and trust totally) had popped the seal back into place (which went back in with no problems/damage) and said everything was fine except the break pads/discs and gave a price to fix.

As the seal should not have come out I contacted Vauxhall who booked the car in saying "I would not incurr a charge whilst it was under warranty" my understanding of this statement was that this meant the car.

Vauxhall phoned to say the seal was 'ripped off and missing' and as it was damage caused by a 'person' working on the car (I was initially told it could have been caused by a stone coming up under the car) and the car had been looked at elsewhere that they could not cover this under warranty.

I went back and fourth between the original garage & Vauxhall numerous times and what Vauxhall were telling me didn't make sense. They were argumentative and rude in every dealing I had.

I was then told that I had to pay for them looking at the car. When I said I was reluctant, I was told that my car 'would not be released until payment had been made' and in a very unfriendly manner.

I requested full details of what was wrong and price for fixing. They advised that the caliper was corroded as water had been getting in due to the disintegration of the seal (which now they said was not torn off and lost!!!) The said I needed a new caliper at a cost of over £200 and break pads/discs at over £180.

I collected the car paying by cheque which I've promptly cancelled until I take this further. I put the car back into 1st trustworthy garage and they have sent pictures and advised that it is only the very edge of the seal which is damaged and there is no water etc getting in. The caliper is working fully (although there is a slight bit of corrosion) and does not require replaced. They have replaced the discs and pads but have advised to keep an eye on the seal as still unsure why it was out in the 1st place.

I will take this further, however, do not hold out any hope. I did contact Vauxhall Customer Services, but was advised that she would have to take "the Vauxhall garage's techincal report" so I am at a loss as to what 'service' they provide customers if they are simply reiterating the garages story which customers are unhappy with?

One thing I do know - I will never go to Vauxhall Peter Vardy in Perth ever again and I think this will be my last Vauxhall car. Honda sorted my Air Con in my previous car, without a 2nd thought, when the warranty had expired.