Cousins wallet being taken for a ride - advice needed

[markie76]

Hi,

This is my first time in these forums and would be grateful for any advice on the following matter.

My cousins car (Renault) stopped working and the RAC towed him to an indepedant garage near his home. The garage connected their computer diagnostics to his car and stated a component on the fuel pump/injection (diesel) had gone and it would cost £300 + VAT to repair the car, as well as a fee for the computer diagnostics. He was comfortable with this.

However, the next day he got a phonecall from the garage stating they had fitted the new component but the car still isn't working, and then suggested another problem and stated they will need to dismantle the engine to check valves, cams and pistons as they suspect something wrong with the timing belt. They stated this is likely to cost £1500. I suspect they are trying it on as the car was running for 6 months, after its last timing belt change without a problem.

There is no way he can afford this and the car was worth just £3k anyway.

What are his rights and options?

In my opinion he should argue that as the initial £300 worth of work carried out hasn't fixed the problem, they should remove the component and return the car and he is only liable for the computer diagnostics fee.

Your advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark.

[raydetinu]

I agree, they acknowledge they got it wrong, so should not charge for parts fitted if that was not the fault. Why should you pay if if not repaired.
Who picked the garage to take it to? and why, have you used them before. It sounds as though they have not got a clue whats wrong with it.
You will end up paying for them to learn what to do!
Get it taken to a Renault Garage

[Conniff]

There is not need to dismantle the engine because they 'think' there may be something wrong with the timing.

If your timing belt slipped a tooth or two then it will probably continue but with no power and very rough.

They should check to see if the timing belt has slipped and if so then put it where it should be and then by turning the engine over by hand they will be able to feel if there is a valve broken or bent. They can also do this by using a compression tester, all the pressures in each cyclinder should be very close to each other.

As suggested earlier, as the part they replaced did not cure the fault, 'tell' them to take it out and put the original part back on.

Do you know what it was they changed?