My small claim against Garage being disputed!

sp.73

History

Car taken to Garage A. Repair cost over £800. Handed over debit card as payment then issued a receipt with the name of Garage B! Questioned the validity of this and told two companies run from same premises, told "don't worry receipt is guarantee".

Drove away from garage, car broke down! I recovered car back to garage. Driveshaft had snapped. Garage had problems getting new driveshaft so arranged to have driveshaft fixed elsewhere. Car recovered to a dealership (service garage) who had driveshaft. They reported further damage at a cost of over £750! Had DEKRA report on car, confirmed driveshaft snapped as result of poor workmanship by Garage A/B! Had repair on damage, confirmed in report, done at dealership (service garage).

Contacted Garage A/B asking for cost of repair but they are hiding behind "work done by Garage B" (now dissolved and being dissolved when receipt issued). Garage owner told me in his own words garage called Garage A when initially agreeing for him to do repair.

He is also claiming I damaged a courtesy car which is a lie. I had possession of courtesy car for less than 24 hours. It was a beaten up old Ford Ka van and upon returning the car no comment was made about damage. Considering this was nearly four months ago this must be a tactic in the hope I withdraw my claim?

I also had a conversation, which deeply concerned me, with the owner of Garage A/B where he spoke about why he had two company names and VAT.

Claim

I am claiming for the amount of the damage caused as a result of poor workmanship from Garage A (I have tried previously to get the money without going to court). Until receipt issued under the name of Garage B I had no idea Garage B existed. When I contacted Garage A to undertake the work I had no landline or internet access and their name was in Yellow Pages, where as the name of Garage B was not in the Yellow Pages.


I realise this is a complicated claim but any nuggets of info or tips re my claim/situation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

4743hudsonj

Just keep a level head, copy all bits of information possible inc yellow pages add and any notes you make, keep them away from each other incase of damage(it happens!) and just come up with a file of notes and evidence that is logical and clear.

also contact any associations they are involved in and maybe ask about previous complaints? Also if they do MOT testing, id be inclined to attempt a complaint to VOSA? to highlight their practices.

Nothing else to say that will help you tbh. You seem to have a good grip on what to do. Just remember to remain polite and calm through the whole process no matter how low they stoop as this could only reflect badly on them.

Freddie_Snowbits

Just add, if you have legal on the insurance, check with them