Halfords dispute

SparkyMark123

Hi.

I'm hoping some of the more knowledgeable out there would be willing to help.

Basically car failed its mot on the 20/12. Needed £1700 worth of repairs panicking as I need these car for work I verbally authorised this over the phone. This was booked in for the 27/12.

having thought about this and upon receiving a confirmation text I decided to cancel and as per text message instructions did so via this method and received a message back informing me this was done.

I’ve been away for Christmas and went to collect the car today. I was informed the work had been carried out as the cancellation never got through ( despite receiving confirmation it did)

Halfords now won’t release the car claiming I owe for the money I’m not in a position too pay having bit the bullet and brought a new car and I was genuinely of the understanding the work would not be carried out.

so who is the right here and what would the next steps be?

( For clarity work was verbally authorised on the 20/12 around 11am and cancelled via text ( with confirmation received on the 20/12 around 12:30 well before any work was carried out a week later)

MeteredOut

What is the car worth in its failed MOT state?

What are the T&Cs around cancellation (though I'm sure you complied since you cancelled after 90 minutes)?

Can you post the exact cancellation confirmation text you received.

SparkyMark123

Hi , Halfords again. Your MOT and Tyre appointment appointment has been rescheduled to 2025-12-27 at for reg at the AutoCentre (NG31 6HS). Please CONFIRM here or let us know if you need to CHANGE the date again. Thank you

CANCEL

Ok, no trouble, since you booked online please also cancel online, it's quicker and easier. We'd appreciate you telling us why you cancelled. Thank you.

Please visit www.halfords.com any time for a new appointment. To chat to us, please click below https://prodeu45.my.salesforce-sites.com/liveagent

And in its failed not state only scrap. Now it’s had the repairs done they could probably recoup the repairs ( I was going to scrap it anyway)

Woodstok2000

Definitely sounds like you're in the right here. Formal written complaint to Halford and then  escalate the complaint with Halfords as far as you can, followed by whatever independent adjudication they may have in place. Try Citizens Advice for specific advice. 

You may also want to think about what a reasonable outcome is for you here. You had a broken car with no MOT which presumably you were going to sell (now you have a new car). How much would you have expected to get for the car if the work wasn't done, and how much could you get now it is fixed and has an MOT?  That uplift may not be £1700, but may give you wiggle room to negotiate a partial settlement with halfords if it comes down to it....

SparkyMark123

Being honest I’d be happy too walk away it would have been scrap value only on a c1 you are probably talking about£200-£300 tops so if it came to it I would gladly sacrifice the car in deference of payment.

i just don’t feel it’s fair for me to pay out for what I wanted to and felt I had cancelled but I don’t want to benefit either. 

Problem is Halfords won’t release the car unless payment received and I won’t pay so it’s looking like stalemate at the moment 

sheslookinhot

Did you cancel online on the Halfords website as requested ? 

powerful_Rogue

SparkyMark123 said:

Hi , Halfords again. Your MOT and Tyre appointment appointment has been rescheduled to 2025-12-27 at for reg at the AutoCentre (NG31 6HS). Please CONFIRM here or let us know if you need to CHANGE the date again. Thank you

CANCEL

Ok, no trouble, since you booked online please also cancel online, it's quicker and easier. We'd appreciate you telling us why you cancelled. Thank you.

Please visit www.halfords.com any time for a new appointment. To chat to us, please click below https://prodeu45.my.salesforce-sites.com/liveagent

And in its failed not state only scrap. Now it’s had the repairs done they could probably recoup the repairs ( I was going to scrap it anyway)

Did you also go online to cancel as per the text message?

SparkyMark123

Yes but I didn’t screen shot this ( who would) ?

leosayer

Did you get any evidence from Halfords that the work was cancelled eg. text message or email?

SparkyMark123

leosayer said:

Did you get any evidence from Halfords that the work was cancelled eg. text message or email?

The messages are above 

it looks to me like a automated service broke down.

leosayer

I'm sorry to say that I see nothing in those messages where Halfords confirms the work has been cancelled.

If you don't have a record of it and neither does Halfords then you are in a difficult situation.

Personally I've always found Halfords to be helpful when it comes to faults and complaints but I'm not sure what you can do here.