Guess Who's Back ?

So late late afternoon we had a call from Ken Brown Stevenage (KBS) stating the car could be collected and was ready. (15 minutes before their closing time).

Upon arrival I was informed the car had been "checked" after Kia UK had it and that 2 software updates have been applied (will check and update versions on next post).

Also they said there was an ultrasonic recall that a part was on order an would be around August and then the car will have to go back.

Time will tell if I ever let them have the car back or arrange to get it fixed somewhere else.

There was again no apology or acceptance of responsibility from KBS, When I remarked what a nightmare this process has been and that hopefully I would not have to see nor speak to them for a very long time (fingers crossed) , they joked I was lucky and the car could have been sent to the Hyundai branch of Ken Brown (Letchworth) by mistake instead of Harlow! - Ironically this would have been better as its nearer. Still a bit raw there when it comes to KBS but we are very pleased to have our car back. I wouldn't out of choice take my car to or buy anything via KBS again which is telling, some people have contacted me stating Maples in Royston are very good, plus there is a dealer in Harpenden. A bit of a trek but hopefully a better customer experience. The car had been washed, but not charged.

Instantly getting back behind the wheel the EV6 feels a big step up from the Niro. So much more space and it feels more sophisticated and smoother to drive. I haven't had the keys back from Mrs. H since it came back last night. But its nice to see it on the drive.

So in total the car was gone 12 weeks and I had 2 phone calls from KBS, one after chasing where they didn't do anything and another last night. Nothing from Kia UK. No sense of an apology or even acknowledgement that this whole experience has been a bit of a nightmare show.

Thanks to that one person at Kia Fleet who understood our frustration and found us an EV loan as replacement (sorry cant find your name), one of the only positives in this sorry tale. Plus thank you to the guy at Humming Birth Motors Enfield that delivered the Niro , keeping us updated. Kia Fleet - Ken Brown Stevenage insisted we leave the car with them. Who knows how/when it will get back to you.

So goodbye Robert eNiro - I would heartily recommend this car to those looking for compact value EV, its very competent and does what it says on the tin with no funny issues or gremlins. Feels like a stable product, with no app gremlins, recalls or sad tales.

So hopefully my next blogs take on a more positive/less sarcastic viewpoint on life. But so far Kia have had the car longer than we have , which believe me isn't a good thing. With at least a month of that the car being ready and just a lack of desire/effort to get it back to us.

On another positive note Lex Auto the lease company have granted us a compensation payment for "lack of Joy" due to the car being away so long and us having the Niro (a cheaper car). I have asked them to review our mileage as Kia covered over 250 miles in the car whilst repairing it , dropping it off to the wrong location.

Hopefully this is the end of the saga and we can start to enjoy the car now.