Garage taken the p.ss, what can i do

rich1000

Hi, i sent me car to be repaired at the end of july to my local garage, I had it booked in as the head gasket may need replaced, he checked it over and said he needed to replace the drive shaft and change the housing and thermostat and replace the handbrake cable. He said it'll cost £220.

I told him to go ahead with it.

Five minutes after driving out i tested the drive shaft by doing a full lock to the right, it was still clicking it was as though he never replaced it at all.

I told him, he said he'll got another one. I presumed it was a new part he was putting in? now he saying it was a second hand part and he'll order another second hand part. I've been waiting almost 3 months now, with me ringing him up and visiting him. but no replacement part has come, he keeps saying he's ordered and it'll come next week...

What can i do? what are my options? can i get the police involved?

LandyAndy

rich1000 wrote: »

What can i do? what are my options? can i get the police involved?

Get it fixed by someone who knows what they are doing.

Why would the police be interested?

What sort of car is it?

rich1000

hi landyandy, i've already paid to get the drive shaft replaced by this garage.

Thats why i posted this message to see what my options are, i thought the police may help resolve this.

my car is a vauxhall corsa

Crabman

The police won't get involved unless you suspect criminal activity, e.g. the second hand parts were stolen.

What does the quote say and also what's on the receipt? Those are your most important documents. You have to allow the garage an opportunity to put things right but I'd advise you correspond in writing so there's evidence if you file a court claim.

What you may end up doing is getting a different garage to put it right (only after this garage has had a reasonable opportunity) and suing the original garage for the costs.

If you have home insurance with the legal expenses add-on, give them a call as they should cover this sort of thing.

rich1000

hi i've been asking for a receipt/invoice and he just says he'll send one out.

LandyAndy

This guy is wasting your time. Go somewhere else and get it fixed. It is impossible to conceive that he cannot obtain a Corsa driveshaft in 3 months if he actually wants to.

Without a receipt you have precious little hope of proving anything by way of suing him. You could try going in and saying 'I'm going to stand here until you write me out an invoice'.

Did he really fit a second hand part without your knowledge or prior agreement?

Mark it down to experience and pass the word around

JimmyTheWig

Agree with LandyAndy. All you can do is take him to court, and with no evidence I doubt you'd win.

Tell him you want your money back. Threaten to spread the word / go to the local paper / name and shame on internet forums, etc.
Take the best offer you can get and go elsewhere. If the best offer isn't good enough then feel free to name and shame - at least it will get it off your chest.

At least you now know not to go back to that garage again!