Garage won't release car

missile

marksls said:

 I am just concerned chiefly with deterioration on tyres , fuel , brakes and battery etc . with car being static .Strangely enough , many of their other premises are open except those in my area

Why do you think having it static at home would negate your concerns?

headpin

Why has the garage closed and not completed the work on your car? Car repair and MOT facilities are not included in the Regulation (Part 2 Schedule 3 of S.I. 2020/350) that requires businesses to close. If they cannot obtain the part that would be an issue, but they should not really close with customers vehicles still locked in their premises. If they wanted to close, which is their prerogative, then they should really have completed all outstanding work first. 

Suggest you contact them again if possible and ask why they closed when they were not legally required to do so and that if they do not release your repaired car within a reasonable period (let them say they cannot obtain the parts if that is the case) then you will be hiring a car at their expense.

It just seems as if they are using the current problems as an excuse, possibly to take advantage of the various government support packages.

AdrianC

headpin said:

...but they should not really close with customers vehicles still locked in their premises. If they wanted to close, which is their prerogative, then they should really have completed all outstanding work first.

Nope, they aren't forced to close - unless they can't stay open and obey the social distancing requirements.

If they can't get the parts, of course, because their supply chain's closed...

Dr_Crypto

Maybe they felt it was safer to close? Maybe their staff didn't want to work out of fear of the virus? Who knows. You can't force them to stay open even if they are allowed to. I mean BA could continue to operate a full schedule flying empty jets around but they aren't.  

Ditzy_Mitzy

headpin said:

Why has the garage closed and not completed the work on your car? Car repair and MOT facilities are not included in the Regulation (Part 2 Schedule 3 of S.I. 2020/350) that requires businesses to close. If they cannot obtain the part that would be an issue, but they should not really close with customers vehicles still locked in their premises. If they wanted to close, which is their prerogative, then they should really have completed all outstanding work first. 

Suggest you contact them again if possible and ask why they closed when they were not legally required to do so and that if they do not release your repaired car within a reasonable period (let them say they cannot obtain the parts if that is the case) then you will be hiring a car at their expense.

It just seems as if they are using the current problems as an excuse, possibly to take advantage of the various government support packages.

I really, really, really wouldn't hire a car, if that's even possible if one isn't a key worker, and attempt to claim the money back from the garage. They won't pay you anything.

kmb500

Dr_Crypto said:

Maybe they felt it was safer to close? Maybe their staff didn't want to work out of fear of the virus? Who knows. You can't force them to stay open even if they are allowed to. I mean BA could continue to operate a full schedule flying empty jets around but they aren't.  

And that's fine if they want to close, but they can't just take your car and lock it away! They must give it back to you. It belongs to you, it's your property - property that you are paying to keep on the road (or, 'at the garage'), and that you need to use...

Dr_Crypto

Why "must" they? They may say they are closed as they are unable to comply with social distancing and/or are in isolation. If that is the case what can they do? 
There have been a few posts about this since the lockdown and the advice has always been the same - ask nicely and work with them to come up with a safe solution for handover. 
If the OP needs a car as a "key worker" Hertz are hiring them for £1/day. https://www.hertz.co.uk/rentacar/special-offers

jaimel134

To jump in on this thread. I am in exactly the same boat. Took delivery of a new evoque on the 16th march, had a problem the next day after delivery, when back into Range Rover and I have not seen it since. I appreciate the current situation is not anyone’s fault but I have paid insurance for this vehicle coming up to7 weeks ago, I ordered to have a 20 plate as soon as possible when they came out and I have no idea when I will be getting car back.