Car damaged by MOT centre

LittleMoo

My car went in for it's MOT and they tried to start it using someone else's car key. This activated the anti-theft device and has immobilised it.

They've had the car since Saturday morning and say that the lock specialist is still awaiting the part to repair it.

Am I entitled to any compensation for the damage and inconvenience they've caused?

Hintza

Oh oh the C word...............

arcon5

You are entitled to it being repaired at no cost to yourself. Of course you could submit a claim for consequential losses and inconvenience but whether you are entitled to anything is another matter.

Have you incurred any losses?

It's likely you have not as the cost of bus fairs etc may well be off set against the savings in fuel and wear and tear. Or if you have then it would be minimal.

As far as compensation for the inconvenience is concerned, unless there are some special circumstances I doubt it. Cars break down, need maintenance, repairs etc, it's the cost and risk of owning a car and this is really no different imo

wealdroam

And if they're going to do the MOT for free, your other thread says they will, isn't that compensation enough?

LittleMoo

I haven't suffered any financial loss but the inconvenience has been major as I use my car on a daily basis.

As for public transport, I'm paying tax and insurance on a CAR because I don't want the hassle of using public transport. I am paying those costs and yet I can't use my car because of someone else's negligence! The car hasn't broken down. It's not like I've taken my car to a garage to be fixed and they're taking longer than I hoped. My car was working fine until they damaged it. Now it is un-driveable until they can fix it.

Put it this way - if someone ran into you in their car and made your car un-driveable, you would be seeking a hire car from their insurance company. I see this as the same principle. Don't companies have public liability insurance for this reason?

wealdroam

LittleMoo wrote: »

I haven't suffered any financial loss but the inconvenience has been major as I use my car on a daily basis.

As for public transport, I'm paying tax and insurance on a CAR because I don't want the hassle of using public transport. I am paying those costs and yet I can't use my car because of someone else's negligence! The car hasn't broken down. It's not like I've taken my car to a garage to be fixed and they're taking longer than I hoped. My car was working fine until they damaged it. Now it is un-driveable until they can fix it.

Put it this way - if someone ran into you in their car and made your car un-driveable, you would be seeking a hire car from their insurance company. I see this as the same principle. Don't companies have public liability insurance for this reason?

You asked a question in your original post...

LittleMoo wrote: »

Am I entitled to any compensation for the damage and inconvenience they've caused?

You have received answers.

It is now clear that you have already decided what the answer to that question should be.

What you get on forums are people's opinions.
Clearly some of these are not what you wanted to hear.

I'll now leave this thread to someone else.

apesxx

I think they should have at least provided you with a courtesy car/ hire car at their expense until the problem is resolved with yours.

LittleMoo

wealdroam wrote: »

You asked a question in your original post...

You have received answers.

It is now clear that you have already decided what the answer to that question should be.

What you get on forums are people's opinions.
Clearly some of these are not what you wanted to hear.

I'll now leave this thread to someone else.

I asked a question and I received someone's opinion. That is not the same as an answer. I have as much right to challenge that opinion as that person has to voice it surely?

With regard to the issue of the free MOT, no it is not enough by any stretch of the imagination. The MOT was only costing £25 as it was an offer. How about I give you £25 and take your car off you for 3 days against your will? Would you feel compensated??

LittleMoo

I should point out that my use of "the c word" does not mean I'm looking for loads of money. It means I want to be fairly compensated for the inconvenience caused, whether this is in the form of a hire car, or the cost of a hire car. I am not looking for anything above that value. Please don't assume everyone is out to get something.

Looksguywalker

I'd be looking for some goodwill on the garage's part with regards to the cost of any repairs for MOT. If it passes without needing anything done maybe a cheap/free service.

LittleMoo

Looksguywalker wrote: »

I'd be looking for some goodwill on the garage's part with regards to the cost of any repairs for MOT. If it passes without needing anything done maybe a cheap/free service.

Not a bad idea. It *shouldn't* fail, but if it does it should only be on a calliper.