If your car breaks down whilst you are on holiday and you need to take it to a garage for repair, you should bear in mind the following:

1.- If less than 3 months have passed since the last repair or you have done less than 2,000 kilometres and the breakdown of your car can be imputed to the same cause which motivated the said repair, the guarantee remains in force. Therefore, you should contact the garage which carried out the repair so that it proceeds to meet the said guarantee, either directly or through third parties.

2.- Said guarantee is total and includes labour charges, materials, towing service, mechanics travel and taxes.

3.- The garage which undertakes the repair of your vehicle should give you the parts that have been replaced, and should have at your disposal documentary proof of their origin and of the price of the spare parts used.

4.- Hidden defects or breakdowns which appear during the repair should be brought to your attention in the space of 48 hours, indicating the amount of the repair. Only when you have given your express permission may the garage proceed with the repair.

5.- As a general rule, whenever you go to a garage for repairs you should bear in mind the following :

• Check in your own interest that the garage has on show the price of its service, the labour charges and the working hours

• Be aware that you have the right to request a written estimate for the repair. If you reject the estimate, this should be expressly noted on the receipt of deposit.

• Demand invoices where all the operations carried out are detailed, labour time involved, replaced parts and VAT applicable.

6.- If you leave your vehicle in the garage, ask for a receipt of deposit.

7.- Service and repair garages which officially represent a make of car or official manufacturer are obliged to facilitate the spares of the make they represent.

• If you disagree with the repair carried out ask for a complaints sheet in the garage itself and try to attach as many supporting documents you may have.