Unnecessary work to car done by garage

Hazel2705

My mother's car failed it's MOT on emmissions. The garage rang and she authorised the work for a new cat, it still failed so they said they needed to get a new computer thingamy bob for it but never mentioned price. They fitted the new computer and it still failed.

They've had it for over 4 weeks now so I went in there on Monday to find out what the hold up is. They said they don't know how long as they can't find out what is wrong with it as the emmisions are still coming back with exactly the same reading (not even a slight drop) so I asked if they were sure their machine was working properly. They'd also changed the sensor which has made know difference.

I asked them the cost so far and it's up to £650! Obviously this is a fair bit of money for work done that has been unnecessary as it hasn't solved the problem and it didn't need a new cat, computer or sensor.

My mother now wants the car back and to take it to the main dealer for them to repair.

Anyone know where she stands on this as she feels she might as well have just thrown this money down the loo. We've been using this garage we've been using for years so don't think they are trying to con her but I do think they should have said that it is beyond their capabilities and suggested she take it to the dealer.

Thanks in advance.

hewhoisnotintheknow

they have done nothing wrong

Premier_2

Hazel2705 wrote: »

... They said they don't know how long as they can't find out what is wrong with it ...

...My mother now wants the car back and to take it to the main dealer for them to repair...

If she informs the garage that is what she now wishes to do, they should release the car back to her ... on payment of their applicable charges.

photome

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

they have done nothing wrong

They may have done nothing wrong, but they should be better at diagnostics.

Hazel2705

She's going to ring them today to arrange collection of the car and pay them and take it elsewhere.

Basically my question is should she have to pay for the parts they've changed even though it hasn't fixed the problem? I agree the labour should be paid for as they have spent time on it but as the parts were never faulty in the first place they didn't need to be replaced.

hewhoisnotintheknow

Hazel2705 wrote: »

She's going to ring them today to arrange collection of the car and pay them and take it elsewhere.

Basically my question is should she have to pay for the parts they've changed even though it hasn't fixed the problem? I agree the labour should be paid for as they have spent time on it but as the parts were never faulty in the first place they didn't need to be replaced.

Yes, they started with the most likely bits first

Hazel2705

Thanks for the replies. I'll let her know, wasn't sure what happens in this situation. Hopefully the main dealer will know what the problem is with it.

EdGasket

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

Yes, they started with the most likely bits first

That's no way for a professional garage to carry on; you don't just swap bits until it works. As the garage accepted the job, the customer has a reasonable expectation that the garage has the skill to correct the fault and should not have to pay for their incompetence.
You could try suggesting that you pay half as the problem wasn't fixed. If that fails you'll have to pay up to get the car back. Then you could threaten them with a small claim to get your money back; I think you'd have a good chance !

olly300

EdGasket wrote: »

That's no way for a professional garage to carry on;

What do you mean by "professional" garage?

I didn't realise there was a legal body like the GMC that garages had to belong to otherwise they couldn't practise.

EdGasket wrote: »

you don't just swap bits until it works. As the garage accepted the job, the customer has a reasonable expectation that the garage has the skill to correct the fault and should not have to pay for their incompetence.

If you read the OP first post they stated that the garage rang and their mother authorised them to change parts.

If a garage thinks an item is a fault and they have tested it, they should ring up the customer to get their permission to do the work. Otherwise they shouldn't do it.

EdGasket wrote: »

You could try suggesting that you pay half as the problem wasn't fixed. If that fails you'll have to pay up to get the car back. Then you could threaten them with a small claim to get your money back; I think you'd have a good chance !

Nope.

If the garage is in the practise of getting customer authorisation before doing any work then you are likely to get nothing.

Oh and if the customer didn't ask the price of things before authorising the work then it's the customer's fault.

hartcjhart

Did they renew brake discs and pads,and put new tyres on the back??

EdGasket

olly300, are you a mechanic by any chance?

Re. 'and their mother authorised them to change parts.' - that was what the garage said was needed so how was 'mum' on the end of the phone supposed to know any better? A level of trust was placed in the garage to carry out correct diagnostics and repairs. That hasn't happened and I see no reason why anything should be paid as the problem has not been resolved. If you went into a shop and they didn't have what you wanted, you wouldn't say "well thanks for looking, I'll pay for what you don't have anyway" would you ? So why pay for a fix that hasn't happened? I rate the chances of success in the small claims court at better than 75% in this case !