What if the garage cant fix the car -after working on it and new part?

Scrimps

As above, what do I do if a garage has been working on the electrics of my car but they cant seem to fix it, do I still have to pay?

We had intermitant issues with the electrics (Renault clio) and were told it was the ECU, I was going to get it fixed in the summer at the same time as the service and MOT. Then, my husband drove through some flood water on a slip road and then the headlights wouldnt turn off and the ABS light came on. I booked it into the independant garage who origianlly said it was the ECU and updated them on the new issues. He called back and said he would replace the main ECU but its possible the ABS light came on due to the ABS ECU also which he wouldnt know until he replaced the main one. It was a gamble and we went for it. Replaced the main ECU, he advised there was no fault with the ABS one but another electric fault he was trying to trace. Then he thought it was the ABS ECU so that was replaced. (I suspected he couldnt trace the fault so thought he would try the ABS ECU) The fault still exists.

I feel for the guy, he is trying to fix it, he feels like he has come too far to just stop but that was last week and this has been going on for over a month. I need to know what happens if he simply cant fix it. Im going to call him tomorrow to say we need to make a call on this. Ive been patient, he hasnt given me any courtesy calls, its just me who calls up 1-2 times a week for an update/ latest ETA. Im trying to delay it as much as possible ( it was supposed to be done last wednesday for sure) but Im going to call him tommorow, the outcome of which will be either the car is fixed or I need to go car shopping.

For reference, we were thinking of replacing the car anyway but thought if we could get this to last another 2-3 years (this is the only repair we've had to do outside of the usual wear and tear) we would stick with it and then get ourselves something bigger and decent with the extra time to save. I wish I had just replaced it as our original intention.

So, if he cant fix it. I cant pay for a repair that hasnt been done but it doesnt seem right that these parts and labour have been done and we dont pay for it. What usually happens?

foxy-stoat

With this type of damage its impossible to know or quote to repair as when water gets into electric circuit boards and small components and creates shorts then the damage starts and may get worse over time as the electrical connections start to rust - on a smaller scale, look at a water damaged iphone - they are normally dead if water gets into them and the rust process starts.

Thats why when cars get flood damaged they are normally written off as they can rarely get 100% fixed.

Pay him for the work that he has actually done.

Scrimps

I guess I'll have to dig to find out what he has actually done. I've just called and been told another part has been ordered and to call back tomorrow lunch time. I'm starting to feel like I'm getting the runaround now.

If, when I said we had gone through flood water its unlikely to be reparable we would have just sold it for spares/repair which he knew was an option we were looking at.

droopsnoot

Scrimps wrote: »

but it doesnt seem right that these parts and labour have been done and we dont pay for it. What usually happens?

What usually happens is entirely the opposite of your post - people pay, find out it hasn't been fixed, then come on here and complain about still having to pay.


Top marks for understanding that there's an amount of time been spent in trying to trace the fault, even if it doesn't (perhaps) result in a repair, and that it should be paid for. You may possibly be the most reasonable person posting on here. Apart from me, that is.


I'd expect you'd have a conversation with the repairer and come to an agreement, which will probably be somewhere in between the time they've actually spent on it, and the time you're happy to cover. It'll be interesting to hear how you settle things.

Herzlos

It's certainly worth seeing how much you owe him at this point - definitely the parts and some share of the labour, and see if it's worth continuing.

Scrimps

Thank you for the advice, it did feel that should be the case. I do try to be reasonable but do sometimes feel I end up getting taken for a ride. I don't think that's the case here but I'd rather not just do my usual, begrudgingly but politely pay the full amount, feel ripped off and find another trades person in future.
I think it's frustration that leads people to being unreasonable most of the time which is usually down to a communication issue, either that or they're jerks;)

I have called up and spoke to the receptionist, he is going to call me back by 4.30 today as he has fit the part but it's still not working right. The frustration level is increasing now, I don't seem to have unclenched my jaw since:mad: I'm already getting annoyed at the prospect of not getting a call back.

Id imagine he is pretty frustrated with my car too, I just really wish I hadn't bothered with it:mad::(

maxmycardagain

a lot of French cars suffer with electrical issues, 1 local garage had 5 year old Citroen in the yard which needed £3000 worth of work and looked destined for the crusher

Tokk

For my part...

I'd expect to pay for work I'd okayed - that's parts I'd approved and the labour on those.
Anything beyond (garage taking it on themselves to spend my money for me on additional parts and labour I hadn't approved) I'd be more difficult with them.

Scrimps

Thank you for the replies. He is terrible at calling back but I did speak to him recently and we agreed a maximum I would pay for the repairs. I had already said this before and he is happy, despite probably more labour and parts already being spent on it. He was supposed to call late Friday so I'll call on Monday.

I have heard french cars have issues with electrics but they're so darn cheap second hand.

In other news it occured to me that I can't recall when the mot was on our second car, I checked online and it had expired:eek:, I also got the tax reminder and the insurance reminder this morning.:shocked: I did not arrange that timing well at all.

I do not think it will pass and the tax is £200 as its a very old petrol. These are starting to feel like omens( as well as sign of poor organisation), I am tempted to get a hire car next week and go and buy another car and I keep planning and putting off