Ripped off by garage and considering taking them to small claims court?

xHannahx

So they've repaired one part and now another part is faulty. On what grounds shouldn't you have to pay for the repair of ALL faulty parts?

If my car needs a new sensor then a few days later needs a new exhaust i would expect to pay for both.

w00519772

My engine warning light came on my golf earlier this year and they said it may be the lambda sensor and if it was the lambda sensor then it could be fixed cheaply and quickly.

It was the turbo and costed £1,100 to fix. Maybe they were only speculating? Do you have a written quote for the amount you expected?

Recently I had a new diverter valve fitted to my boiler. The plumber originally quoted £175 for the part. I did my research before he did the job and negotiated £30 off. You have to negotiate before they do the work, so they can refuse to do the work if they so choose - then you find someone else.

I would just put it down to experience and move on.

mcchris

@trinidadone, I think you are right as CAB said the burden of proof was on me. The letter can be used as evidence if this makes it's way to county court.

@forgotmyname, last time it took a long trip after the car was "fixed" and the code cleared for it to resurface. I haven't driven the car much since the second visit to the garage where he cleared the codes again before things got heated. When it did resurface it was showing the exact code as before it was fixed.

@xHannahx, I was initially overcharged for something that did not work which means first diagnosis could've been incorrect. Even you would be iffy if you paid £210 for a repair that did nothing... unless you were in true Christmas spirit and had cash to give away. Also being told to get out of the garage is really what infuriated me. Since you ask however, I've done a lot of homework and the rights I have under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 include the short term right to reject the part fitted and claim full refund and to claim a partial refund for the labour charge.

@woo519772, you're right, to be honest i considered taking an "L" and walkng away to save myself the hassle but my pride wouldn't let me since they were so disrespectful. So I'm more or less teaching them not to treat future customers like shi*

PS: I have since obtained further quotes from other garages. The most expensive quote for the part was £106 for the sensor, £27 for labour + VAT came to about £160. So I was definitely overcharged by these guys

trinidadone

mcchris wrote: »

@trinidadone, I think you are right as CAB said the burden of proof was on me. The letter can be used as evidence if this makes it's way to county court.

Cool, so has the letter been sent off as yet?

w00519772

mcchris wrote: »

@trinidadone, I think you are right as CAB said the burden of proof was on me. The letter can be used as evidence if this makes it's way to county court.

@forgotmyname, last time it took a long trip after the car was "fixed" and the code cleared for it to resurface. I haven't driven the car much since the second visit to the garage where he cleared the codes again before things got heated. When it did resurface it was showing the exact code as before it was fixed.

@xHannahx, I was initially overcharged for something that did not work which means first diagnosis could've been incorrect. Even you would be iffy if you paid £210 for a repair that did nothing... unless you were in true Christmas spirit and had cash to give away. Also being told to get out of the garage is really what infuriated me. Since you ask however, I've done a lot of homework and the rights I have under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 include the short term right to reject the part fitted and claim full refund and to claim a partial refund for the labour charge.

@woo519772, you're right, to be honest i considered taking an "L" and walkng away to save myself the hassle but my pride wouldn't let me since they were so disrespectful. So I'm more or less teaching them not to treat future customers like shi*

PS: I have since obtained further quotes from other garages. The most expensive quote for the part was £106 for the sensor, £27 for labour + VAT came to about £160. So I was definitely overcharged by these guys

There have been a few times in the past when I think I have overpaid for plumbing work and car repairs. I just learned from it.

Did you pay for a diagnosis before having the repair work done? Dealers like voltswagon, Honda etc charge a diagnosis of about £100 even before they start doing the work and even then they can only sometimes speculate what the problem is.

It sounds to me like you are being a bit unreasonable. Sorry if this sounds harsh.

mcchris

@trinidadone, yes letter has been posted for delivery on Tuesday.

@woo519772, I can see how I come across that way but they could've resolved this better than asking me to "get out" of the garage. That fuelled me to take the "unreasonable" stance as you see it.

lynz68

I am no car expert but your mistake was not asking for the cost before the work was carried out and if the problem does not affect the driving of the car their was nothing stopping you taking it away and getting quotes elsewhere.

One thing I have learnt over the years is not to panic when a warning light comes on.

From what you have said it does appear you have been overcharged. As for replacing the original part that may simply be impossible part could be damaged or disposed of among other things.

As for telling you to get out of there premises without and independent witness that will go nowhere your word against there's.