Can a garage hold my car even though I don't owe any money?

Wig

Safest thing is to go there and drive it out with the spare key assuming the gate is open. If the car is in an uroadworthy condition then calling the police could be counterproductive. Not seeing the car we can't comment on how likely it is actually unroadworthy. With a serious side impact the chassis could be bent, on the other hand if the only damage is the door, then I doubt that would be a problem for the police.

mikey72

Even an mot station can't hold the car, no matter how unroadworthy it is, or what it fails on.

vax2002

Just go and tell them you have come to collect it, when they say no ask them to repeat it in front of your witness then just caution them that you are placing them under arrest for theft and they must remain with you until a constable of the the law can be summonsed to take charge of the offender.
Then if they dont buckle, call the police and tell them you have arrested someone for taking your vehicle without consent and that person is under your arrest.

pendulum

I'd wrestle the keys out of his thieving hands!
Ok, maybe not, but they have no right to keep your car whatsoever, go in there firm and demand it back, make some noise.

mikey72

Obviously you were put on the spot, and bullied into leaving the car, but the best route would have been to refuse to leave.
If you sat in the garage, they couldn't have manhandled you out, they couldn't have left, and they would had to either phoned the police, or given you the key.
I'd do that tomorrow, and demand compensation for the stress, bus fair, clothes laundering, before I left.
Locking yourself in a showroom car would be a nice touch.

Happychappy

Piggles1982 wrote: »

I was wondering if you can help me.

Someone has crashed into the side of my 5 door car which now doesn’t open, the other doors still open including the driver’s door. I have taken the car to Ford Sandicliffe for a quote in which they’ve produced, although now they’ve informed me they won’t let me take the car back due to the rear door not opening.

Are they allowed to do this as it’s my property and no chargeable work has been done on the car therefore I don’t owe them any money? I have had to get the bus home from Leicester and I’m now stuck without a car at present until I receive my courtesy car.


Kind regards

Dave

What do you mean about a courtesy car? have you agreed for them to do the work and they are providing you with a courtesy car? have you reached an agreement concerning repairs ? if not then yes you can legally go and fetch it, they have no right to keep it even if it is unroadworthy

They have no requirement in law and have no ownership which would make them liable should the vehicle be used on the road, the only thing is your comment concerning a courtesy car and whether they have taken on the work and already spent time on the job ?

Wig

The courtesy car will be from his insurer.

Flyboy152

mikey72 wrote: »

Obviously you were put on the spot, and bullied into leaving the car, but the best route would have been to refuse to leave.
If you sat in the garage, they couldn't have manhandled you out, they couldn't have left, and they would had to either phoned the police, or given you the key.
I'd do that tomorrow, and demand compensation for the stress, bus fair, clothes laundering, before I left.
Locking yourself in a showroom car would be a nice touch.

I'd take some sandwiches, a drink and an empty bottle as well.

maninthestreet

OP - what conditions (if any) have the garage stated they will release the car to you?

scheming_gypsy

If they won't let you take it because you can't open the door, nip down and tell them you need to take something out of the car...... Then take the back seats out, no seats - no need for a door