Need help knowing my rights RE: Car repair

audioblackout

Hi guys,

I'm in a bit of a problem and I wonder if anyone can help me with figuring out what I can and cant do in this situation.

I'm good friends with my local Car Mechanics/Garage, I've used them for the last 10 years. Last year in Jan my Gearbox went. They took it apart and fixed it, replacing the cogs etc COST £1000. Four months later it went again. They told me it was a slightly different problem - but still they took it apart and replaced some parts. I wasnt too happy that it had gone so soon after getting it fixed the first time but reluctantly paid another £1000. I asked the guy if he would guarantee me that if it went wrong again they would sort it out.

6 months later, it's now gone again. It seems to be the same problem. I phoned the Garage up, explained the issue...

The problem is, the guy who guaranteed the work is now in hospital with cancer and I didnt get anything in writing. They told me they didnt know why he'd have promised me that and that it's probably not worth fixing again as the same thing is likely to happen again. I have a nasty feeling that they're going to try to get out of fixing it and maybe even charge me for a brand new gear box!!!!!

I really need to know my rights before taking this car in to them. Wouldn't you expect this work to be guaranteed for 12 months at the least? Surely it's their shoddy workmanship that is meaning the gearbox is not staying fixed? Surely if I take something to them and ask for it to be fixed, they should fix it - not 1/2 fix it and then expect me to get it re-fixed again within 6 months!!!!

Where do I stand legally? Any help would be hugely appreciated....

Gene_Hunt_2

Do you have any paperwork/receipts for the previous work?

How did you pay?

forgotmyname

£1000 repair? How much would a recon gearbox have cost?

Gordon_Hose

I suspect you could have bought a recon gearbox for less than £2k!

Hammyman

Echo the above. For £1000, I would want a reconditioned gearbox with a 12 month warranty. For £2k, I'd want a brand new one.

Strider590

And if they did fit a recon box (which most places do rather than spend out on the special tools), then your old box would have been sent back their supplier for a refund.... Which should then have been passed on to you.

audioblackout

Well, the first time the cog that came off the 5th gear shattered one half of the actual box, so they kept the internal mechanism, got hold of an outer box and fixed it that way. Cost approx £1000

The second time (four months later), there was another issue with one of the cogs teeth, so they replaced the cog and put the unit back together. Cost approx £1000.

I'm saying approx, cause it was something between 700 and 1000...

Anyway, the issue is although they've done this work, surely it shouldn't go wrong again within 6 months?!!?! Am I covered for anything?

I mean in an ideal world I SHOULD have got some sort of a written warranty. But I didnt. Is there anything I can say/do???

esmerobbo

What car is this? does not matter as to the fault but it may explain the cost!

audioblackout

it's vw golf... TDi 1.9 54 plate..

audioblackout

any help anyone?

esmerobbo

http://www.transmission-rebuild-kits.co.uk/-c-95_217.html

Give an idea of the cost of a recon gearbox with a twelve month warranty!