How long can the garage have my car for?

TheCurryMonster

My car broke down on the 22nd of march and the RAC told us we could only be dropped off where the car was dropped off so we had to use a local garage (it was snowing)...

Anyway it's been over two weeks and they still haven't done anything with it, I've been phoning them for updates and the mechanic told me that he looked inside and couldn't find the problem but took the spark plugs out or something, each day I went past the garage the car was outside and hadn't moved at all by this stage...

I told him on the phone that the RAC pick up driver said that it was probably the timing chain in the engine and he said that he would look at that.

Anyway I got some hope a couple of days ago because when I drove past the garage my car had actually been moved! So I phoned up again yesterday to see if it had been completed and I was told that the mechanic has gone away for a week so I would have to wait until he got back to talk to him about it.

After the first week of being without my car they gave me a courtesy car but it's very old and doesn't start every time. The windscreen also has a chip on it (do I report this to them?)...

I had my car serviced by this garage shortly before it broke down (I only drove the car three times since they serviced it).

Anyway I just started a new job last week where I need to use my car (and must have business insurance) so what do I do in the mean time? Do I still buy business insurance for my car that I'm not driving? I don't think that this courtesy car is going to last out much longer either.

How long are they allowed to keep my car for without doing any work on it?

Buzby

If they are time wasting you have the right to take it elsewhere. As they have lent you a courtesy car they'll be satisfied that you are on the road. You should note YOUR insurance will probably be covering the loaner, did you/they tell them? This will address the issue of Class 1 business use.

Until the problem is diagnosed, you are in limbo - you could write or call (take a witness) saying time is of the essence, and you must be on the road 14 days hence.

BlueC

Your garage sounds absolutely crap. Take it somewhere else.

arcon5

Buzby wrote: »

If they are time wasting you have the right to take it elsewhere. As they have lent you a courtesy car they'll be satisfied that you are on the road. You should note YOUR insurance will probably be covering the loaner, did you/they tell them? This will address the issue of Class 1 business use.

Until the problem is diagnosed, you are in limbo - you could write or call (take a witness) saying time is of the essence, and you must be on the road 14 days hence.

Unlikely, courtesy car often have their own insurance policy to cover the driver! The only issue being if it's being used outside of the terms of the policy (ie business use), which we don't know

TheCurryMonster

When I asked them about their insurance they said that if I had an accident that I should use my own insurance to claim for it but I don't have to and can use their insurance instead.

I'll give my insurance company a call to see what they say...

In practical terms how would I move my car to another garage as it doesn't start? Should I call the RAC or something?

TheCurryMonster

Also I realised today that the tax disc on the car that they are providing me is out of date...who is responsible for this? Is it me for driving it or them as they own it?

Jamie1981

The correct answer to this is however long you let them.........

I understand that it is difficult to remove a vehicle from the garage it it is a non-runner but you must in the first instance get a diagnosis from them then an estimate/quote for repair and a reasonable timescale.

If a garage took over 2 days to diagnose my car it would have been removed by any means necessaryto ensure it was back on the road within a timely manner.

Also, if you are pulled by the police for driving with expired tax/failing to display a valid tax disc then it is your responsiblity as is any defect found with the car.

You have a certain responsiblity to ensure any car you are driving is fit to be on the road.

steve-L

TheCurryMonster wrote: »

Also I realised today that the tax disc on the car that they are providing me is out of date...who is responsible for this? Is it me for driving it or them as they own it?

Its them ... they will have been sent the reminder/renewal....

This isn't by chance in Hillingdon is it?
I only ask as it sounds very much like what happened to me,

TheCurryMonster

I spoke to them today, they can't tell me what's wrong with the car because the mechanic is on holiday but they are waiting for a part for it!

It should be ready by thursday :rotfl:

I reminded them about the tax disc for their car and they said that they are sorting it.

colino

If they said they are sorting it (car tax) that means it isn't taxed so you will get done for driving it. Get them to send out a car that is legal and they can pick that one up. (Though doubt they have finished playing with yours yet).