Garage Problems and your rights.

[Tony 156]

Dont know if this is the right place for the thread but seems to have been alot of this recently i have read through other threads so i have done some research mainly for my own benifit.

In real terms as a customer we are all pretty, well politly, hard up.

We have very little rights as most repairs are verbal contract and its our word against theirs.

This is from the trading standards web page.


Vehicle servicing and repair are obvious areas where disputes can occur between the vehicle owner and the garage. When you take your vehicle to a garage for servicing or repair, you are entitled, under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, to expect the garage to carry out the work:


With reasonable care and skill (the standard of skill of an average garage)

In a reasonable time (unless a specific time was agreed)

At a reasonable cost (unless a price was agreed)


If your in a situation similar its worth a look and there are helplines.

The garage have the right to keep your car if you dont pay, but you can "pay under protest" and then go the legal system way.

Most people dont because its time consuming and anoying.

Hope this helps people out there.

 

[Ibiza Cupra]

Sounds like your having a nightmare. Always good to go into a garage with someone else so you have a witness. Also ask for a copy of the job card, ie whats being done and how long it's gonna take. Helps if you know people in the trade.

 

[Tony 156]

Good advice, iv had all the old parts put in a bag in the car aswell.

Any previous experince guys and girls please add to this.

 

[Ibiza Cupra]

Yep get all the old stuff to ensure they have changed it. Or another way is too make a mark on something that needs changing and check after, if the mark is still there then it aint been changed!!!!

Some garages will give a quote.

For example, they say it will take 4 hours, if it takes 5 hours they still only charge for 4 hours, in the same way if it takes 2 hours they still charge 4 hours.

I know this sounds bad but don't turn up with your car in a suit, as they'll take the piss and won't think you have a clue wot you are talking about!!!! My bro is a mechanic!!!! I know wot they're like.

 

[Havok316]

when asking for old parts, if you know which parts are at fault mark them with a security marker because my dad done this at fords garage and they just gave him back some bits n bobs they was going to bin anyways and because he security marked it he proved to them the bits given back wernt his! and they left some of the parts on the car, just cleaned up and greased!! and they refunded his money and carried out the repairs while he watched for FREE!

 

[Ibiza Cupra]

Had any luck with your car mate???