Garage negligence - do I have to pay the service?

Rossy.

The_Cardinal wrote: »

The wipers were working when the garage picked up the car. All they told me was that the wiper mechanism was faulty and that it had to be replaced. They did not tell me that they had removed it. The car is still under warranty so it hasn't cost anything to have it done.

I do not live in a city. There is no bus or train and the school is much too far away to walk. Especially in the snow.

Thank you for your post, although I am still of the mind that I am within my rights not to pay.

Thats ok mate,

I'd be definately questioning them why it stopped working. They should of asked whether you wanted it inspecting/replacing before removing it.

They HAVE caused you an inconvinience but like i say you could go to any court in the land but i doubt you'd get away with not paying for the service.

Just get it fixed on warranty and then take the car somewhere else in future and use this as a lesson to avoid this garage. I know your frustrated and i would be but it happens all the time. Garages think they're doing good when infact they cause more issues

Good luck

JQ.

How much is the cost of the service less the cost of parts? I can't imagine it being that much more than £155, which is what they've already offered you. Involving your credit card company in this sounds like a lot of hassle for the sake of a couple of quid.

Incidentally, I don't think you have the right to withold the payment for the service and I think what they've offered is more than reasonable.

The_Cardinal

JQ. wrote: »

How much is the cost of the service less the cost of parts? I can't imagine it being that much more than £155, which is what they've already offered you. Involving your credit card company in this sounds like a lot of hassle for the sake of a couple of quid.

Incidentally, I don't think you have the right to withold the payment for the service and I think what they've offered is more than reasonable.

I'm not sure that I completely understand what you're asking. The parts didn't cost anything as the wiper mechanism was replaced finally under warranty.

The service cost over £400 and they had my car for three days, although they did return it for one night without the wiper mechanism on it.

They haven't offered me £155. They have offered me a credit of £100 against my next service, which will not be due for another year and a free valet at the same time (they initially offered me a free MOT but seem to have changed their mind about that between talking on the telephone and emailing me). I might not even have this car in a year and I am almost certain that i wouldn't want them to service it again.

Thanks for your reply though.

Gene_Hunt_2

The_Cardinal wrote: »

Let me state the problem again with steps:

1. I booked a service
2. The garage collected the car
3. The garage phoned me to tell me that there was a problem with the wiper mechanism. They told me that they did not have the part.
4. I told them that I needed the car the next day.
5. They drove the car from the garage to my house with no wiper mechanism after performing the service.
6. Nobody from the garage at any time told me that the wiper mechanism had been removed from the vehicle.
7. My wife got in the car the next morning and engaged the wipers.
8. There was no wiper on the car so she could not drive it.
9. She missed a day at work as she could not take the kids to school.

You missed out one very important point though.

The garage acutally Serviced your car to the approved standard.

What was wrong with the service?

The wiper motor as you said is covered under warranty.

So how are you disadvantaged by all this?

tamarto

When you booked the service did they tell you that all parts would be available straight away should there be a problem? - If not why would you expect them to be?

Did you check the wipers just before handing the car over?

Did you actually expect them to put a faulty/broken part back onto your car?

vaio

Seems to me you owe them for the work they have done properly and they owe you a days wages because they gave you the car back sans wipers without telling you.

tamarto

vaio wrote: »

Seems to me you owe them for the work they have done properly and they owe you a days wages because they gave you the car back sans wipers without telling you.

I find it odd that after being told a part needs replacing and that they don't have a replacement someone would expect it to be there, if OP had checked the car wipers when the car was returned they'd still be in the same position. They'd also be in the same position had the garage told them the part was no longer on the car.

The_Cardinal

Gene_Hunt wrote: »

You missed out one very important point though.

The garage acutally Serviced your car to the approved standard.

What was wrong with the service?

The wiper motor as you said is covered under warranty.

So how are you disadvantaged by all this?

Gene Hunt with a capital C, I can't keep telling you how I was disadvantaged. Try opening your eyes.

The_Cardinal

tamarto wrote: »

I find it odd that after being told a part needs replacing and that they don't have a replacement someone would expect it to be there, if OP had checked the car wipers when the car was returned they'd still be in the same position. They'd also be in the same position had the garage told them the part was no longer on the car.

I would have expected the garage to say something along the lines of 'We have checked your wipers during the service and the nearside mechanism needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, when we were checking it it broke and there is no wiper on the car. We don't have one in stock, therefore, we will provide you with a courtesy car until it is fixed rather than returning an unroadworthy car to you in the snow.'

Gene_Hunt_2

The_Cardinal wrote: »

Try opening your eyes.

Shame you don't practice what you preach.

You'd have seen that white van you hit before you cut him up.;)