Car repaired when I asked for a quote

MR_M_P

Took car for mot, it failed on a few small things, I asked for a quote for the necessary repairs, never received the quote, today I have a text saying it's ready for collection, and the invoice amount, it's about 3 times as much as I was expecting going on what they said it failed on
Where do I stand ? 
Thanks

Grumpy_chap

Is it plausibly possible that the garage mis-understood the request for a quote as meaning you wished to proceed?

Was your old MOT still valid?  Were any of the fail items "dangerous"?  If so, you may have been restricted in the option to simply drive away:
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/after-the-test

What work was done and what were the costs of the work?  Would you have got a garage to repair in any case (even if not that garage)?
If so, and if the charges were in the market-range, it may be pragmatic to accept the bill.

MR_M_P

Grumpy_chap said:

Is it plausibly possible that the garage mis-understood the request for a quote as meaning you wished to proceed?

Was your old MOT still valid?  Were any of the fail items "dangerous"?  If so, you may have been restricted in the option to simply drive away:
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/after-the-test

What work was done and what were the costs of the work?  Would you have got a garage to repair in any case (even if not that garage)?
If so, and if the charges were in the market-range, it may be pragmatic to accept the bill.

Side lamp not working
One tyre required
Steering rack gator required
Excessive handbrake travel
£751 
I'd have expected half that cost

I'd have gone somewhere else if I had been quoted the £751 

AdrianC

Have you had a breakdown of the bill?

"Steering rack gaiter" could turn out to be substantial labour in dropping the rack or subframe. Seized trackrods could turn out to require cutting off and replacing. The rack could turn out to need replacing.
"Excessive handbrake travel" could turn out to require new calipers, cables, pads, discs.

Yes, it's poor customer service for the garage to say they'll send a quote, then just go ahead with the work. But it's entirely possible that what appears to be a straightforward job can escalate substantially once it starts.

Grumpy_chap

MR_M_P said:

One tyre required

That alone could be a massive variable from £50 to £1k depending on the wheels and tyre spec.  

MR_M_P said:

Steering rack gator required
Excessive handbrake travel

As Adrian said, could be a lot depending on the car really and extent of "fixing" required.  Listing what the MOT "fail" items were does not say what the rectification work required.

You do need to understand the work that was done and the value of that work. 
You may have expected £400 bill, but if £750 is what it would have cost at any garage, then this is one to chalk up to experience (and use a different garage in future).
Different, of course, if you would have done the repair yourself but it does not sound like that is the case.

BOWFER

Grumpy_chap said:

MR_M_P said:

One tyre required

That alone could be a massive variable from £50 to £1k depending on the wheels and tyre spec.  

I take your point about tyre prices varying, but a grand for one tyre....?
Even a RR Phantom is only £600 a corner!
  

MR_M_P

Grumpy_chap said:

MR_M_P said:

One tyre required

That alone could be a massive variable from £50 to £1k depending on the wheels and tyre spec.  

MR_M_P said:

Steering rack gator required
Excessive handbrake travel

As Adrian said, could be a lot depending on the car really and extent of "fixing" required.  Listing what the MOT "fail" items were does not say what the rectification work required.

You do need to understand the work that was done and the value of that work. 
You may have expected £400 bill, but if £750 is what it would have cost at any garage, then this is one to chalk up to experience (and use a different garage in future).
Different, of course, if you would have done the repair yourself but it does not sound like that is the case.

My point is they said they would send me a quote, I would not have had the work done at that price

AdrianC

MR_M_P said:

My point is they said they would send me a quote, I would not have had the work done at that price

As I said...

AdrianC said:

Yes, it's poor customer service for the garage to say they'll send a quote, then just go ahead with the work. But it's entirely possible that what appears to be a straightforward job can escalate substantially once it starts.

It's simply impossible to give any kind of firm quote on something like that.

An estimate, sure, but estimates can escalate once work starts. One recalcitrant bolt can waste a couple of hours, or an expensive part that looked OK can turn out to be shagged.

But, yes, it's poor customer service to say an estimate will be given, then to start work without sending it.

On the bright side, you have a new MOT.

BOWFER

When this potentially dubious practice goes on, is it any wonder people shy away from calls these days and prefer email.
No ambiguity.

TELLIT01

AdrianC said:

MR_M_P said:

My point is they said they would send me a quote, I would not have had the work done at that price

As I said...

AdrianC said:

Yes, it's poor customer service for the garage to say they'll send a quote, then just go ahead with the work. But it's entirely possible that what appears to be a straightforward job can escalate substantially once it starts.

It's simply impossible to give any kind of firm quote on something like that.

An estimate, sure, but estimates can escalate once work starts. One recalcitrant bolt can waste a couple of hours, or an expensive part that looked OK can turn out to be shagged.

But, yes, it's poor customer service to say an estimate will be given, then to start work without sending it.

On the bright side, you have a new MOT.

Estimate or quote, the OP asked to know the cost before they did any work, and they didn't do that.  I'm not sure what the OP can do other than request a breakdown of cost and use a different garage in future.

AdrianC

TELLIT01 said:

AdrianC said:

MR_M_P said:

My point is they said they would send me a quote, I would not have had the work done at that price

As I said...

AdrianC said:

Yes, it's poor customer service for the garage to say they'll send a quote, then just go ahead with the work. But it's entirely possible that what appears to be a straightforward job can escalate substantially once it starts.

It's simply impossible to give any kind of firm quote on something like that.

An estimate, sure, but estimates can escalate once work starts. One recalcitrant bolt can waste a couple of hours, or an expensive part that looked OK can turn out to be shagged.

But, yes, it's poor customer service to say an estimate will be given, then to start work without sending it.

On the bright side, you have a new MOT.

Estimate or quote, the OP asked to know the cost before they did any work, and they didn't do that.

Would you care to re-read the post you replied to? I've highlighted the relevant bits for you.

I'm not sure what the OP can do other than request a breakdown of cost and use a different garage in future.

The one thing he definitely is going to have to do is pay the bill, if he wants the car back.