Garage dispute - new fault and courtesy car un-roadworthy

ghostmadlittlemiss

Hi, I hope someone on here can help.

I went to get my car from the garage yesterday after it went in with various problems related to starting. They told me the car was fixed and gave me a huge bill. I got to the end of the road and the car cut out and wouldn't start. I walked back to the garage, got one of the mechanics out to the car, they changed a part and got it going again. I did a few laps of nearby streets, it did it again and backfired as well. This time it started so I drove it back and and they changed a few more parts. I did a few more laps, all fine. I set off home and it stalled at some busy traffic lights and wouldn't start. I got a push off the road, called the garage again and they came out with a courtesy car and sent me home in that.

Now, I was meant to have an evening shift delivering pizzas for Domino's last night but the courtesy car was in no fit state to be driven for a full evening. The heater was stuck on heat so the windows were steaming up constantly, the seatbelts were original fixed belts and wouldn't stay over my shoulder (I own a classic car, the garage was a specialist and the courtesy car was the same make as mine) and worst of all, the indicators were faulty. Am I right in thinking that there's some kind of legal requirement for courtesy cars to be roadworthy before they're given out? Not to mention that they declared my car fixed when it wasn't even capable of making the 10 mile trip to my house! So I've lost a night's wages because of this. First of all, do you think I have grounds to complain? Secondly, if I do, how do I do it?
Kayleigh
PS Sorry about the vagueness about what was fixed. If you need details, I can get them but I'm not sure it matters what they fixed as it didn't work and my complaint is that they caused a problem that wasn't there before and the courtesy car was un-roadworthy.

maninthestreet

So they gave you a classic car as a courtesy car? What make, model and age is the car you own?

Gordon_Hose

To complain you write a letter to the owner of the garage, complaining.

Jackinbox99

In my experience personally there isnt much you can do. It all depends upon how nice the garage owner is. I had problems with garages in the past and they tend to just come back and say "tough". So the choice is then do you take them to court or just walk away. If its a smaller garage I would hope they would be more understanding and keen to help out, but with big chains they dont seem to care.

I had a new clutch fitted in a car a few years back, and the car actually caught fire as i drove it away from the garage. Luckily I smelt burning so pulled over and managed to put the fire out before it burnt the car to the ground. The company is a major national chain specialising in clutches. So, I went back and their very rude manager basically told me it was my word against his so tough. I wrote to their head office and they just took the managers word and tried to tell me that the car was already damaged and would have caught fire anyway?! After months of persuing and chasing them I just gave up as the stress and hassle was getting on my nerves. I was just shocked such a large chain would have such bad customer service.

ghostmadlittlemiss

maninthestreet wrote: »

So they gave you a classic car as a courtesy car? What make, model and age is the car you own?

It's a 1967 Morris Minor. The courtesy car is also a Morris Minor and a few years newer than my own, about 1969 I'd say.
Kayleigh

maninthestreet

ghostmadlittlemiss wrote: »

It's a 1967 Morris Minor. The courtesy car is also a Morris Minor and a few years newer than my own, about 1969 I'd say.
Kayleigh

Moggies are simple to fix when they go wrong. Are you a member of the Owners Club at all? A starting problem / cutting out can only be either fuel / ignition, and neither of these are complex systems on a Moggie. What work did the garage do attempt to fix the problem??

lyndasharp

Hi, I also have a Morris Minor. Re your courtesy car, faulty indicators aren't great but no idea on the legal position of that. As far as I know, as long as there are seatbelts in a car of that age it's OK. My first one had fixed belts and there were fine, but it did depend on what height you were as to how well they fitted the passengers! There are options for switching heaters off in a car of that age - there should be a tap in the engine bay or pull/push switch under dash. Are you near Bristol by any chance? My hubby has had one or two problems with a Moggy specialist in that area... if you need to look for a different garage we might be able to suggest options.

Do also visit the MMOC forums for advice on your car, we're all very friendly, and happy to try and help!

esmerobbo

maninthestreet wrote: »

Moggies are simple to fix when they go wrong. Are you a member of the Owners Club at all? A starting problem / cutting out can only be either fuel / ignition, and neither of these are complex systems on a Moggie. What work did the garage do attempt to fix the problem??

Must be a god awful specialist if they cant get a Moggy 1000 to run properly.

Would be interested in what the fault is/was?

Strider590

ghostmadlittlemiss wrote: »

Garage dispute - new fault and courtesy car un-roadworthy

ghostmadlittlemiss wrote: »

It's a 1967 Morris Minor

Enuff said...

forgotmyname

Legal position is your are liable if you are stopped. The driver is responsible for making sure the vehicle
is safe and fit for use.

I think watchdog or a similar program did a report on a car rental where all the cars were dangerous. They hired
a car and contacted the police to be told the same. Its the drivers fault.

Dont hire the car from them was the only answer. Loopholes eh.

hartcjhart

Ive got a 58 convertible;););)