Engine Replacing Garage overcharging

[phoenix2b]

I have fallen foul of a garage that I have since discovered, does not replace your engine, despite their website, but just gives you an excessive quote- so that you either loose your car to them or you pay an excessive amount for them to take the engine out-any advise-the local Trading Standards does not think they are doing anything wrong

[Hammy1962]

Ok, the above post does not make any sense at all.

Give us some more information and we will try and help.

Hammy

[Conniff]

Can you explain this a bit more please phoenix.

[phoenix2b]

Ok- Garage advertises replacement engine for £995.
You agree to this.
They then say- oh this is wrong and this and that needs replacing- total bill £2500+.
As an example-They charge £20 for anti freeze and other prices also greatly inflated.
11pages of complaints/Watchdog investigated & company declared Rogue-do not use.
It seems that they purposely do this, so you either pay for stuff not required or you say forget it, whereby they can then say ok- no problem- come & get your car-
£400+ charge because we removed your engine or you pay the £2500 but engine is yours & not a replacement-faulty parts used, car breaks down etc The scam being they get large amounts of money for minimal effort or get to keep your car.
AS Trading standards do not seem bothered, my query is how do I get my car back without paying £400 for what may amount to 5 hours labour??

[Conniff]

Is this a quote in writing or in an advert phoenix?

Can you post a link to the website please?

[raydetinu]

Did you not get a qoute for the job before you put it in for the repair?
we need to see add, it may be fraudulent in its wording.
You can take them to court of course for the return of your car, pay up get your car back then take them to court!

[phoenix2b]

Sorry I did respond on 20June08-giving links but must have hit the wrong button-so try again-

oops seems I have not made enough posts

[phoenix2b]

I have to do4 posts before I can include links

[phoenix2b]

or was it 5??

[Conniff]

What's your weather like phoenix - that will be six now.

[phoenix2b]

here goes:
www.reconditioned-engines.co.uk

and for reference- I only discovered this lot when it was too late

forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=10283 &view=findpost&p=10797 3
forums.invisionpower.com/lofiversion/index.php/t207194.html
forum.rac.co.uk/showthread.php?p=4041
www.motortrader.com/6449/THREE-directors-of-Heathrow-En.ehtml

[Conniff]

...

[Conniff]

Sorry phoenix.

The parent company Hallmead Services Ltd have not filed any accounts.

A company called Heathrow Engine Center Ltd went into liquidation in 1990.
Not sure if this is one of those companies that wind up and then start up again under a different name, in this case Heathrow Engine Center.

The parent company has had many changes of address and as they have not filed any accounts, the credit ref has no status for them.

I'm not too struck on one of their terms:

If we don't complete the work you requested for any reason we dump your engine and gearbox in the boot and charge you £100-£500 + VAT, but I can find no VAT number for them.

A dodgy company phoenix that I remember from a long time ago getting into trouble.

I wouldn't know how to start advising you on this one.

The only thing I can advise is that you get a fully qualified technician to look at it and give a report and then sue if the report does not match up with Heathrows.

Just for info - A brand new 2ltr engine for a Vauxhall Cavalier 4 wheel drive Turbo cost £1,000 from Vauxhall.

[phoenix2b]

Coniff, they are one and the same- I have got my car back-and apparently trying to take them to court is like chasing my tail-as it seems they dont pay even if ordered to do so by a court- so I will have to put this down to experience, it seems I got out lightly-thanks for your advise and support

[Conniff]

I'm glad you have your car back, but don't let that stop you going further if you think you have been seen off.

A small claims summons will cost about £30, which you get back if you win. Then there are the enforcement tools available to you if they wont pay up like bailiffs and the threat of a bankruptcy order and not forgetting the naughty mark on their credit reference file which could make things a bit difficult for them.

Have a think, this company has been doing this for decades so don't just throw it to one side if you are out of pocket.

[HSBCrusher]

I agree... a court claim will only cost £30, and with our help you could give them a bit of an headache!