Extra unauthorised work done on car. Where do I stand?

Killick

I have recently taken my car into the garage for repairs after losing coolant . I've had three visits, The first visit was to have the system checked. This didn't resolve the problem so a second visit was done and the water pump was replaced. This partly resolved the problem but I ended up having a major loss of coolant and so it was back to the garage where I was told that the head gasket had gone, which I suspected.
I was told it would cost £500 to £600 to fix. As the car is quite old, I had a discussion with the mechanic as to wether it was worth repairing. We discussed the pros and cons a decided that it was. I called the garage the other day for a progress report and was told the cost was going to be £1050 has they had to fit a new cylinder head. I did not agree to this, I only agreed to the fixing of the head gasket. Can someone please advise me as to what my rights are in this matter as I feel that work of a high cost was done without my consent. The least the garage could have done was phone me to get approval for what I consider to be extra work.
I am really saddened by this as I have been to this same guy for all my servicing, etc and never had a problem before but £500 over and above what I was told to expect to pay seems out of order to me.

Any advice s welcome. Thanks

Sooler

Pay for the cylinder head that was needed or return the car to the garage so that they can remove the good cylinder head and put back your defective cylinder head.

Hoof_Hearted

They should ask if the work is over and above what you have agreed. Bad business practice.

bikingbarney

Sooler wrote: »

Pay for the cylinder head that was needed or return the car to the garage so that they can remove the good cylinder head and put back your defective cylinder head.

Thats the whole point its an old car and the OP did not want to spend that much repairing it.

Why should he pay for work he didnt authorise?

Would you pay for it ? I know I wouldnt!!

Westmead_Fan

they should off got it approved first.

if they did carry out the work that was agreed & paid for you would still have a faulty car with the cylinder head needed doing.

what was wrong with the cylinder head???

mcfisco

It doesn't sound like he has the car back yet

I'd call them and tell them that it isn't financially viable to exceed the original quote and you won't authorise it.
I suspect though, you'll end up with the car back in the same state and £600 lighter.

diesel_dog

Not the smartest of moves by the garage. Maybe they thought as you have a good current business relationship with them, that they knew you would want the car fixed and you would trust there decision to get the job done.

The way I see it you have a couple of options. Inform them that you won't authorise the work, hence it won't get done and your left with a non runner. No doubt they'll remove the parts and leave it how it was and maybe without putting the head back on - no point putting a faulty part back on with new gaskets, etc. Then you'll need to find someone else to finish the work that needed doing anyway.

OR, let them know you didn't budget for the extra work and expense and see if you can clear the bill within a couple of months - providing you can't clear the bill straight away of course.

If you trust them and have used them before then only you will know if there trying it on but the fact remains the work will need doing anyway.

Out of curiosity, is it a BMW? The only reason I ask is that when the water pump/thermostat/radiators fail then it usually warps the head .....