Technical tip number 5234 and a half ......
Foreign Breakdowns
There have been quite a few stories on here recently about breaking down while outside the UK - to most people this is their idea of a nightmare, but it doesn't have to be. The only time it should be horrible is if you are in a hurry to get somewhere and will suffer terribly if you are late - like picking up the mother in law from a Ryanair flight at 3 in the morning. If you absolutely must not be delayed, then take out cover that provides a hire car and hotel, dump the van and carry on.
But for most people a breakdown just means a change to the planned itinerary, and if you approach it in the right way it can be a bearable, if not rewarding experience.
The most important thing is breakdown cover - between 100 and 150 quid a year for European cover - so basically it's daft not to. Mind you, if you are the confident type, and have faith in your van .... with the average recovery costing about £300 or so, statistically you might be better off just paying when things break - you would come out ahead if you break down less than once every two years - the only cost is the cost of recovery - you would have to pay for the repairs anyway. Ask any actuary - if you know one!
But by far the biggest problem is communication - it's bad enough breaking down in the UK, but in a foreign land it adds an extra layer of stress that freaks out most people - unless they speak the lingo of course!
But it needn't be so bad if you just include some preparation in your plans.
There are plenty of websites, usually motoring organisations, who publish translation lists of technical terms - so find one and print it out before you go! Even far flung languages that use non roman alphabets are useful - you can always just point. Arabic for brake cylinder is الفرامل - got that?
How did I know that? Google translate! It really is very good! If you have a laptop, the best thing you can do is to use it .... mobile internet is good, but even without, garages will have wifi you can connect to. Google translate will even read out loud for you in a foreign language - so have a little practice before you go. And mechanics can type into your laptop in their language, and you will see the English.
So with a little prep, communication need not be a nightmare.
The next thing you need to remember is that you should insist on being recovered to a garage that deals with your make - it just makes things easier if you take your Fiat to a Fiat garage, and your Merc to a Merc garage. Recovery drivers are only human - they will have their own network of contacts and kickbacks, so let them know who is in charge! I understand that main dealers charge more, but at least they will have the diagnostic knowledge, and access to the fastest delivery of parts. It might cost a bit more than a generic garage, but in a foreign country, good general purpose cheap garages are hard to find, and as time is usually of the essence, main dealers are probably your best bet. I have used really posh Mercedes dealers - all glass and chrome palaces that scream expensive! ..... in France, Portugal and Germany, and have been pleasantly surprised with the final bill. Generally speaking, prices in most of Europe are cheaper than the UK.
Another problem is where do you sleep if the repair is going to take more than a day. I have always insisted in sleeping in the van, not taking no for an answer, and always I have succeeded. Of course health and safety can be an issue, so you might have to spend some time in the waiting room when your van is up on the ramp, but there is no reason why they can't push your van out onto their car park at night. But every situation is different - so there is no guarantee - just use common sense. Most repairs can be done in a day, so ask to sleep in the van in their yard until all the parts are in and they are ready to go at 8am - then jump in a taxi and go shopping.
Most good policies include hotel cover, so use this if you feel comfortable, but then you might end up stranded with only the phone to communicate - so factor this in. If you have bikes or a scooter, so much the better, insist on a hotel as close as possible, even if you have to refuse the insurance suggested 3 star that is 20 miles away, and slum it in a local B n B round the corner.
Occasionally things can be a real nightmare - you just don't believe what they are telling you and you have no faith in the garage. Go with your gut feeling - enlist the online help of as many people as you can. It's not impossible to get re-recovered to a different garage. Just be assertive. But don't automatically dismiss all garages as criminals - sometimes the truth is horrible, or sometimes it's just bad communication. Again, the internet is your friend - an hour on Facebook can usually find a friend of a friend who is fluent in the language and willing to come on the phone and fight your corner. Or the other way round - just ask around and you will soon find a local who speaks English - 99% of people everywhere are good samaritans and love to help a stranger.
Above all......DON'T PANIC!
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