So called repair

pink_boots

I put the car into my local garage because suddenly the driver's door would not close over properly. I had to give it a good push before it would close. I didn't open the door again and booked it in to have it looked at. Anyway I spoke to the mechanic and he said that the hinges might have dropped and he would check it out when he could and it was 2 weeks later before I got a call yesterday to pick the car up. I was charged £290. They took the door off and traced it to be internal locking fault. They cleaned, grease and free mechanism and refitted door. Anyway went to take it home but could not unolock the flipping door. The mechanic came out and said it had been fine when he tested it. Well he couldn't open it. So just left it again. Now I got a call telling me it needed a new lock and another £175. I don't know where I stand with this extra charge. As they hadn't fixed the problem should I be charged? Also I am worried that a new lock will still not fix it. Forgot to mention the central locking was workin fine before I put it into the garage but not when I tried to open the door.

tacpot12

I think you will have to pay the extra cost of the lock, as you don't really know whether the door lock was broken by the good push you gave it, or by the locking fault - the fault may have been caused by the fault that the garage fixed. You also didn't agree a fixed price (or fixed timescale) for the problem to be fixed, so unfortuatnely I think you will have to pay what is being asked.

For the price of £175, you should be getting a genuine part from your car's manufacturer, not a pattern part. I would confirm this with the garage before approving the new lock.

In future, I would set an upper limit for costs; say to the garage "If the cost of the repair is less than x go ahead and repair it, if it will be more than x call me for authorisiation".

EdGasketTheSecond

There's no need to take the door off to grease the mechanism; why didn't they try that first? Seems a complete rip off as should be no more than 1 hours work to take the door trim off and put back.

pink_boots

Thank you EdgasketThe second. I am more or less in the same situation as I was at the beginning. The only difference is now I can't open the door. They did phone me and said that I needed a new lock in the first place and it would cost £250 and be three hours labour but they would have to send away for i and it would take a couple of days to get it. I gave them permission. Then a few hours later got a call saying that work all done and can pick up the car. I queried it and told him that I was getting a new lock and would have to wait a few days. Seemingly I did not need one because the mechanic had managed to fix it hence the info on the invoice. Then as I said the door wouldn't open so now they say I do need a new lock. I am hoping that this is a dream and I will wake up and find it was. There again because I am getting on they think I am a dotty old woman.

arcon5

They said it would be 250 for new lock then charged 290 for greasing it up???
Now want more for a lock???

They are taking the !!!!.

You can change a locking actuator in under an hour easy on most Cars!!!!

What car is it?

markudman

Wow wish I could change 290 for a little grease, I have only ever taken a door off to change it or if the car is going to scrap, OK so door lock, door card off, 15 mins depending on make, model, normally three screws to remove lock, and a few cables, (sometimes you have to move the window run out of the way)
so another 15 mIns, Cup of tea, 10 mins, put it all back together 30 mins, test call customer, so total 1.5hrs will be plenty