RAC call out & misdiagnosis of fault - can I claim the cost of uneccessary repairs back?

letom

It's a tricky one, it ultimately comes down to reasonable care and skill. I can see the argument that the garage should have done their own diagnostic and found the issue, this would usually be the case if the customer had come and said "I think X is wrong", a reasonable professional would confirm that because the customer is not presumed to have the knowledge to properly diagnose the issue. However when presented with a report by another professional, I don't think you can simply conclude that the garage failed to take reasonable care and skill, unless there is something clearly evident which again a reasonable mechanic would take into account. My view is you would have trouble in a small claims court convincing a judge of this, less than 50% in my opinion. Though it depends what is within the report and whether reading that report would cause a reasonable mechanic to take a different course of action.

Your claim with RAC is if you can clearly show that any reasonably skilled mechanic would have diagnosed the issue differently e.g. engine blows up but report says you need a headlight change. Here you need another report from a mechanic stating their report was clearly wrong.

Maybe sue both and see what sticks, both owe you a duty of care.

MEM62

letom said:

Maybe sue both and see what sticks, both owe you a duty of care.

Risk litigation against two companies over the cost of supplying and fitting an alternator?  The OP would be far better off just drawing a line and chalking it up to experience.  The effort, risk and cost involved just to satisfy the emotional need to hold the RAC responsible just isn't worth it.     

nero33

MEM62 said:

letom said:

Maybe sue both and see what sticks, both owe you a duty of care.

Risk litigation against two companies over the cost of supplying and fitting an alternator?  The OP would be far better off just drawing a line and chalking it up to experience.  The effort, risk and cost involved just to satisfy the emotional need to hold the RAC responsible just isn't worth it.     

I have no intention of suing anyone.  I asked for advice in an area where I have no technical knowledge i.e car repairs.  A few lessons learned, namely the motor industry is still full of shysters whether it's a local garage or a billion dollar company.

facade

nero33 said:

 A few lessons learned, namely the motor industry is still full of shysters whether it's a local garage or a billion dollar company.

The same could be said about most industries & trades.

Unless you are very lucky with who you pick, everything is driven by profit not customer service.

mills705

Normally you will receive a written report from the mechanic - sometimes on email. What does this say? 

Last time I had one the print said that the diagnosis of the vehicle at the roadside should have been confirmed by the repairing garage prior to any works being completed.