Garage ruined engine when car took in for MOT

n217970

This car is fast heading for the scrapyard. Cylinder heads will have melted, hence the vibrations timing is probably out as well. Engine is a write off she was right not to drive it, I would be amazed if it got half a mile down the road. Sadly no one will buy it in its current state, not even as a part ex. Given the age and value of the car I am not sure I would even bother putting a new engine in. Maybe sell it as a none runner?

Where the liabillity in this case lies is arguable but this poor little car has been abused by its owner long before the garage got hold of it.

AdrianC

n217970 wrote: »

This car is fast heading for the scrapyard. Cylinder heads will have melted, hence the vibrations timing is probably out as well. Engine is a write off she was right not to drive it, I would be amazed if it got half a mile down the road. Sadly no one will buy it in its current state, not even as a part ex. Given the age and value of the car I am not sure I would even bother putting a new engine in. Maybe sell it as a none runner?

There are 24 2009 500 diesels on Autotrader, from £3,300 to £4,300.
The engine was also fitted to the Panda, Punto and Doblo, and isn't hard to source - £500 or so from a working vehicle shouldn't be impossible. I doubt you'd pay much more for a complete, scruffy or bent but driveable Doblo.

Where the liabillity in this case lies is arguable but this poor little car has been abused by its owner long before the garage got hold of it.

Agree entirely there.

sartois

Just a further update on this. She has spoken to the owner and he has admitted the car is not in a good condition. He has said they will strip the engine and are subcontracting the work on this to sort it out. She also said she shouldn't have to pay for this and he has agreed.

I know there are opinions on here about owner negligence... just a quick note in her defence that I did note somewhere back in the comments that when she took the car in for a MOT last year and asked about a service the mechanic told her it was not necessary to service the car as it had only done 1000 miles (different garage though). Not sure there are many out there who would argue against a mechanic who was suggesting she spend less money.

JP08

To be honest I'd name and shame the garage.

They've failed to do the prescribed checks on the car before the MoT.

They've then bodged the repair.

They've then tried to bullshine the client to get them off the premises.

They are cowboys.

mark5

sartois wrote: »

Just a further update on this. She has spoken to the owner and he has admitted the car is not in a good condition. He has said they will strip the engine and are subcontracting the work on this to sort it out. She also said she shouldn't have to pay for this and he has agreed.

I know there are opinions on here about owner negligence... just a quick note in her defence that I did note somewhere back in the comments that when she took the car in for a MOT last year and asked about a service the mechanic told her it was not necessary to service the car as it had only done 1000 miles (different garage though). Not sure there are many out there who would argue against a mechanic who was suggesting she spend less money.

Was that mechanic assuming your friend had serviced her car at 1000 miles earlier at the previous MOT though?

Chrysalis

I am surprised people are still defending the garage.

At least the owner has now finally done the right thing.

Whilst I accept the point how people treat their own cars is their responsibility, what I dont agree with is that it gives a professional immunity from liability, the engine was not vibrating or blown when handed to the garage.

Nodding_Donkey

sartois wrote: »

Just a further update on this. She has spoken to the owner and he has admitted the car is not in a good condition. He has said they will strip the engine and are subcontracting the work on this to sort it out. She also said she shouldn't have to pay for this and he has agreed.

I know there are opinions on here about owner negligence... just a quick note in her defence that I did note somewhere back in the comments that when she took the car in for a MOT last year and asked about a service the mechanic told her it was not necessary to service the car as it had only done 1000 miles (different garage though). Not sure there are many out there who would argue against a mechanic who was suggesting she spend less money.

I think she already has paid

arcon5

sartois wrote: »

Just a further update on this. She has spoken to the owner and he has admitted the car is not in a good condition. He has said they will strip the engine and are subcontracting the work on this to sort it out. She also said she shouldn't have to pay for this and he has agreed.

I know there are opinions on here about owner negligence... just a quick note in her defence that I did note somewhere back in the comments that when she took the car in for a MOT last year and asked about a service the mechanic told her it was not necessary to service the car as it had only done 1000 miles (different garage though). Not sure there are many out there who would argue against a mechanic who was suggesting she spend less money.

Presumably though the garage didn't say to run it dangerously low on oil for weeks

Retrogamer

arcon5 wrote: »

Presumably though the garage didn't say to run it dangerously low on oil for weeks

It wasn't ran dangerously low on oil for weeks.

rich13348

Retrogamer wrote: »

It wasn't ran dangerously low on oil for weeks.

YEAH! It was run on oil contaminated with diesel making it dangerously low on pressure. Get it rigbt arcon