Advice please

username09

Hi,

I am not sure if I am posting in the correct thread. I am basically looking for a bit of advice. I have taken my car for service yesterday to my nearest halfords autocentre. The car was in very good condition when I handed it in. But when i went to collect it there were deep scratches on the nearside bumper as if it was scraped against a wall or something similar and a dent and deep scratches on the nearside wheel arch above back tyre. The manager denied any knowledge and claimed that the scratches are already there when they completed the visual inspection after loading the car on their ramp. I have spoken to technician who handled the car he denied it but the look on his face says it all. They just assumed I wouldn't notice the damage and simple drive off. The manager in the end kind of agreed that there might be an issue and referred me to the complaints team but advised he will speak to his regional manager and provide me with some sort of goodwill. I dont want any goodwill but halfords to foot the bill to get the bodywork repaired. I have written an official complaint and sent photos of the damage to halfords customer services. They also charged me for repair they said that needs urgent attention and now I am not sure whether the work is actually needed. I am just wondering what would be by next course of action would be if they deny causing damage to the car or dont want to foot the bill for the repairs.

I was taking out my stuff out of the car before handing it and any damage of that sort i would have noticed. I drive my car carefully and its always parked on a drive without any obstacles so I know I have not damaged my car and it happened whilst it was in halfords possession.

Your advise would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

AJXX

Get an independent report from a body shop including full estimate for repair. Send this to Halfords along with a letter before action stating they're to pay full costs within 21 days or face court action for negligence/failure to appropriately care for your vehicle whilst in their possession.

The letter should be sent recorded delivery to halfords head office.

The problem with this sort of thing is it's difficult to prove.

Silver-Surfer_2

AJXX wrote: »

Get an independent report from a body shop including full estimate for repair. Send this to Halfords along with a letter before action stating they're to pay full costs within 21 days or face court action for negligence/failure to appropriately care for your vehicle whilst in their possession.

The letter should be sent recorded delivery to halfords head office.

The problem with this sort of thing is it's difficult to prove.

So why have you advised him to go in all guns blazing from the off?

Halfords may just say "prove it".

wealdroam

My suggestion would be to wander discretely around Halfords looking for any damage to fences, posts, walls, equipment, etc. that could've possibly caused the damage to your car.

If you can find some of your bumper paint, for example, affixed to a wall, then you'll have a stronger case.

AJXX

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

So why have you advised him to go in all guns blazing from the off?

Halfords may just say "prove it".

In cases like this, it's probably for the best.

Halfords are already denying it locally and with the regional manager - therefore LBA threat to head office is probably the only way forward to the OP.

wealdroam's advice is ok, but I suspect OP won't get very far walking into a garage and casually walking around glaring at walls etc... I'd give her a few mins at most before someone questions her or calls the men in white coats.

ThumbRemote

Do they have CCTV? It may be worth a request for a copy of the CCTV covering your car.

Legally you are entitled to the CCTV showing you (rather than your possessions) - so you may be able to get a copy of you driving into the garage. https://www.gov.uk/request-cctv-footage-of-yourself

If they refuse to provide other CCTV footage of your car whilst in the garage, it's not proof of the damage, but it raises a lot of questions as to why they won't let you have it - which can only be helpful if it goes to court.

TadleyBaggie

Duplicate thread: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5417498