Sorry to dig up an old post, but I was reminded about it last month and thought I had better update Mr Conniff. On the 28th of last month, there was the patter of tiny feet (in fact a total of four feet as it was girl twins). Mother, father and offspring all doing well. Uncle (me) wondering how the hell to finance two lots of birthday and christmas presents!!! p.s. brother in law now a Ford Master Technician at a privately owned Ford dealership is still 'looking after' my cars - currently a new Mondeo.

Hi, Apologies for the delay in finally updating this thread, I was only reminded about it yesterday. The ****** garage owner eventually appeared in court last year. There were a large number of charges brought by the Police, Vosa, Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Customs. It transpired my sister was not the only one who had been ripped off by this alleged garage. Amongst the various other charges were also handling stolen vehicles and 'ringing' vehicles and laundering money. The defendent was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment with some other people involved receiving lesser sentences. I understand although he had declared bankruptcy, the criminal asset recovery team have recovered quite a large amount of money and other assets.Hopefully when he is released he will never set up business as a garage proprietor again! Anyway the reason I was reminded of this thread was my sister finally married her 'beloved Ford technician' yesterday. They flew out to Antigua on honeymoon this morning (they will still me in mid-air as I type this). So, it is great to report that it was definitely an ill wind and some good did come out of this situation as they have never been happier together. Also my Focus and her new Focus are nowadays looked after rather well (and very cheaply). rep

Hi all, After a gap of many months, a bit of an update. The garage owner did declare himself bankrupt and the Official Receiver is dealing. My sisters claim is lodged with the Official Receiver on the off chance there is some payment to creditors. She will be very lucky to even get pennies in the pound we have been told as there are priority creditors such as HM Revenue & Customs re non payment of tax and VAT and the local council re non payment of business rates ahead of her in the queue for payment. Also there are a number of 'non priority' creditors such as Snap on Tools, a couple of motor factors, a fuel card company, electricity company and about 10 other customers. In reality we have written off the money now. The garage owner was due at the Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with a number of offences following investigation by Trading Standards, Vosa and the Police. I went to the court hoping to watch justice being dispensed. However the garage owner didn't turn up, so the magistrate has issued a bench warrant for his arrest. From what I gleaned there are about 27 offences in total among which are deception, fraudulent MOT's, theft and handling stolen goods and some others. So it doesn't sound good for him (good!). The solicitor did say that when the defendent does eventually appear, it is expected the magistrates will send the case upto the Crown Court due to the severity of the offences. If he pleads not guilty then my sister will be called as a witness. If he pleads guilty them my sister will not have to attend. So now we wait again....................................... On another (much better) note my sister and boyfriend have decided to buy a new flat and move in together. They are getting engaged this coming summer when they go on holiday together. He has done a couple of jobs on my car (the alternator packed in and I needed a tow bar fitted) so he has already saved me quite a bit of money!! So at least something good has come out of this saga. I will update again when I have further news.

Hi, My apologies for the delay, but just an update on this saga. The garage in question closed down a few weeks ago (co-incidentally after a visit from Trading Standards and I believe Vosa - hence I believe it may actually have been closed down by them). The premises are apparantly being reposessed (although this is not confirmed) and are going to be put up for sale. The garage which carried out the initial MOT also lost its MOT Testing Station status and also closed down pretty quickly afterwards as well (we now know both were owned by the same person). We understand from the solicitors that the owner of the garages has filed for bankruptcy. He is also allegedly being investigated by Vosa and the Police, allegedly something to do with ringed vehicles (although this is rumoured, not confirmed). So, it looks like ultimately we will have no chance of ever getting any money back if the owner is bankrupt (we will be just another creditor). On a more positive note, I got my own Focus serviced at the Ford dealers (on the books as it was its third service and hence my last chance to get any warranty work done). Although pretty expensive, I know who did the actual service and 1st MOT on my car and am very satisifed. In future both my sister's Focus and my own will be personally looked after 'out of the dealership' though, so its not all bad!!

Hi Conniff, Fortunately my sister is a member of a union where she works, and as part of her membership they offer a free legal help scheme whose solicitors have now taken up the case on her behalf and lodged a claim with the small claims court on her behalf. She only remembered about her union membership benefits a week or so ago - good job she did or it may have cost her if she had approached a solicitor privately (I mentioned before that she was a bit dizzy but for once she remembered something helpful!). I am not sure whether Trading Standards took the cheque (i will have to ask her) or whether she has given it to the solicitors . Thanks anyway rep

Sorry for the delayed update - I've been working away. Well, the cheque went bouncey bouncey - Refer to drawer. The matter is now in the hands of the local Trading Standards and my sister has lodged a claim at the small claims court. Trading Standards visited her yesterday and took a very detailed statement off her and seized the bill and the receipt, MOT certificate and the copies of the photographs I had taken at the Ford dealer (they gave her a receipt for everything, particularly for the MOT certificate). Trading Standards have said they will liase with VOSA as well (I think there is something fishy with the MOT). They also took some further photographs of her car. Her new boyfriend is going to take her car into his garage and get it MOT'd there as she now has no confidence that the MOT had been done correctly. He is also going to service her car in his own time (and mine hopefully!). As this is now going to the small claims court and Trading Standards and VOSA are dealing, I am not sure if I can give further comment (sub justice and all that) but I will try to update as and when I can. Thanks for the help from members here.

Hi all, Another bit of an update: Firstly I belive under the 2-4-6 cheque clearing cycle, it takes 6 working days before we can be sure the cheque hasn't bounced, so we will have to wait a bit longer to make sure the cheque isn't going to bounce. Now, her new friend at the Ford garage has had a look at the MOT cetificate and it was issued by a differant garage to the one she took the car to. He went along to the ****** garage last night and confirmed it does have an MOT sign (the three triangles thing) on display. He is going back this morning in daylight to take some pictures, covertly I hope and try to see if their testing station number is displayed and what it is - if it has one! We have had a look on those 'find an MOT testing station' sites and the gargae does not appear to be listed. I think a call to VOSA is iminent. I will let you know what happens with the cheque once it has been in the bank 6 days and hopefully cleared (or not). Thanks

Thanks all. She will bank the cheque in the morning. It is interesting it is a personal cheque in the name of the proprietor as opposed to a business cheque in the name of the garage. I smell some sort of tax dodge here as well but as long as it clears.....................!!

Hi, Thanks for all the help so far. Well an update of sorts. My sister yesterday received a cheque for the sum of £600 from the garage, which according to the accompanying letter is 'in full and final settlement of the genuine mistake with the initial bill'. (Genuine mistake my ar5e is my thought). If she banks the cheque does that imply she has accepted it as 'full and final settlement' because neither of us are happy about it and think a full refund is in order? On the other hand is that the most we are likely to ever get (assuming of course the cheque isn't made of rubber)? Or do we bank it and carry on, just worried that by banking the cheque we may be locked into his 'full and final' offer with no further recourse. As ever, any help is very much appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I can assure you this is no marketing ploy. Whilst i may praise one person at Dagenham Motors, my view of their sister company 'up North' ie Polar Ford is definately not printable on a forum and is only beaten by the garage that this thread refers to. Anyway, back on track, still nothing heard from the garage proprietor. He has had the letter for a few days now, so I don't know if he is making us wait on purpose or is just going to completely ignore it. Just in case we end up there, would this come under the small claims court juristiction? Many thanks

Hi all, Just an update - well no update really as nothing has been heard from the garage proprietor. I have sent a letter of praise to the CEO of Ford Retail (who own Dagenham Ford) copied to the Principle of the Branch concerned. My sister getting on well with him apart, it was very good of the technician in question to do what he did. I know big dealer chains do get some stick at times but they have been excellent. Anyway I will update further when I have more to report.

Hi all again, Sorry for the delay in responding. I was away with work all today and could only confirm tonight that the letter and photos which had been sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery had been signed for which they had been at 1120hrs today. Anyway, my sister had a call this afternoon from the garage proprietor. Anyway, to cut a long story short, my sister mentioned aboiut the Ford garage not being able to get one of the back wheels off, to which the response was apparantly (allegedly) that they couldn't get it off either that was why the rear brake pads were not changed and it was a mistake to charge her for them (funny how previously it was a mixed up bill with another Focus in the garage on the same day that had caused the problem!). Anyway, he offered to refund my sister £500.00. She for once not being blonde said not likely.The offer was raised to £600.00 and again my sister declined and said she wanted a full refund. She then (allegedly) got a sob story about hard times in the garage trade and he was doing her a favour by offering to refund so much despite all the work his garage did on her car (excuse me whilst I vomit!!). Anyway, she told the garage proprietor that as per the letter I had sent to him, she wanted a full refund wiithin 10 working days or else Trading Standards would be asked to deal. The call then terminated. So, its waiting game now to see if a cheque or whatever arrives. Conniff, re the chap at the Ford garage, he refused point blank a 'gratuity' on the day however I think he will be personally looking after my sisters car in the future as he and my sister seemed to hit things off together really well and he is a really nice bloke - I know they have texted each other a few times and I think they are having drinkies later this week. Whats that saying about an ill wind etc etc!! Anyway, I'll keep you posted (on the car front)!! Many thanks

Hi all, A further update. I know the letter I sent to the garage by Special Delivery was signed for yesterday according to the Royal Mail website. However the garage owner has still not rang either me or my sister to make any ''offer.' Anyway, her car was taken to the Ford main dealer this morning (I went there with my sister) to get the brakes looked at. The Ford dealer has stated that although there are new pads fitted to the front, the discs are in no way new ones only fitted a week ago (and done less than 65 miles). So despite being charged for front discs and pads, only the pads were changed. He also commented that the pads fitted were not Ford (Motorcraft) ones and looked very cheap. The dealer kindly let me take some photos of the discs and pads with my digital camera. Also the rear brakes had not been touched by the original garage at all. In fact one back alloy wheel was stuck to the hub and only came off with some fairly heavy hits with a mallet,which the dealer said could not have happened if the wheel had only been taken off a week ago. The rear pads were very worn and the dealer has now fitted new rear Ford pads. He also commented that as part of the service schedule, Ford would have changed the Brake Fluid at this service which appeared not to have been done. He also looked at the CV joint boots and said in his opinion neither was new due to the build up of dirt on them (again photographed). He did agree that the oil and oil filter looked new, however it was an unbranded filter not a Ford one nor any make I have heard of (Fram, QHPartco etc). . However on the dipstick, the oil level just read on the minimum, not the maximum which I (and he) would have expected. He did say though he hoped the garage had used 5W-30 oil (it didn't state which oil had been used on the bill), so we are taking it back to Ford Rapid fit tomorrow for new 5W-30 Ford specification oil and a Ford filter to be fitted just to be on the safe side. The Ford chap also said that the wrong air filter has been fitted and it had been squashed into its holder (again photographed). He also confirmed to both me and my sister that the car indeed had a chain driven engine and no cambelts were fitted. He was very helpful but did say if we wanted him to investigate things further he would have to charge us, particularly if we wanted the computer hooking up, but we thanked him for his help in doing what he had which was over and above what we has asked him to do anyway, also for letting me photgraph the various things (well done to Dagenham Ford!). So, thinking about it I suppose the original garage proprietor will say that not only was it the cambelt bit muddled on the bill but probably it was the whole bill that had been mixed up with the other Focus (yeah I so believe him - not). I intend to write to him again tomorrow, and enclose prints of the photgraphs and also a copy of the bill from Dagenham Ford. I think only a complete refund would be aceptable together with an apology. Is this suitable recompense? Also, would Trading Standards be interested in this rather sad saga? Many thanks.

Hi all, Many thanks for the replies. I have typed up a letter re me acting for my sister which she has now signed (it meant a 100 mile round trip for me to get her to sign it) and which I will post off by Royal Mail Special Delivery today (I thought doing it by Special Delivery will mean they cannot say they haven't received it). I have also told my sister to book her car into the local Ford main dealer as she says the brakes don't feel as good as they did before the service (should also help prove whether or not they actually did change the pads/discs etc which they billed her for - when I met her yesterday it was dark so I couldn't tell). I also asked her to ask the main dealer if they could say whether the cv boot, air filter, oil etc was new as well. So far the garage proprietor in question has not rung my sister and refuses to speak with me. Now, in my view, if they had made an honest mistake I feel sure they would have rang my sister to offer a refund etc but so far she has not received any calls (I know they have her mobile number as it is on the garage bill). Anyway, I will keep you posted and many thanks for all the help so far.

Well, at 8.30pm last night the garage proprietor did ring me. At first he said they had done all the work on the bill. When he realised I knew what I was talking about re the 2.0 Duratec engine being chain driven and the car having rear discs his story changed saying they must have got my sisters bill muddled up with another customers bill as apparantly they had two Ford Focuses (Foci?) in for service and MOT that day (albeit my sisters name and car registration number is on the bill). I asked him if he could give my sister the other parts that had been taken off the car during the service for us to examine but he said they had been disposed of already. He then went on to say due to Data Proitection he couldn't speak further to me but wanted to speak directly with my sister (alllegedly to sort it out) but although he has my sisters mobile number he hasn't contacted her. What I would like to know is, is this alleged mistake with the billing likely? Could they have given the wrong bills to two customers? Also is he hiding behind Data Protection by not speaking to me further?. Also wWhat would be suitable recompense for my sister? To be honest, I don't believe a word of what he said re mixing the two customers bills up but I cannot prove it and he knows that. To me it smells that they tired to rip off my sister. Many thanks

Thanks all. I have just spoken to the garage on the phone. Apparantly 'the boss' who deals with things is not there at the moment (I don't believe that for one minute to be honest). He will apparantly ring me back later. Just to clarify, it is a 2005 Mk2 Focus, 2.0 Zetec trim level with a Duratec petrol engine. It came brand new from a main dealer in London. I have a similar 2006 model myself (Focus 2.0 Titanium trim) petrol so having in the past compared both cars together side by side , I know they have the exactly the same engine and both have rear discs. I will await the bosses call with interest. Thanks again,. i will keep you updated.

I'll be the first to say it, my younger sister is very 'blonde' when it comes to cars. The circumstances are, she owns a new shaped 2005 Ford Focus 2.0 petrol (her pride and joy). Previously she had always taken it to the local Ford dealer near where she lives in North London for servicing etc. However the car now being four years old with just upon 70k miles on Friday she took it to a garage that advertises in her local free paper and which someone had 'reccomended' to her for a service and MOT. She being she told the garage 'to do what was needed'. Anyhow the upshot is when she collected the car, she was met with a bill for over £800 which she paid (cheque). The bill states the garage has done various things on top of the service and MOT and she has been charged for the following parts, front discs and pads, rear brake shoes, front cv joint boot, front n/s wiper, cambelt kit and tensioner, water pump, auxillary belt. Now, I am pretty sure (as she now is) that she has been ripped off by the garage. For starters the car has rear disc brakes (they charged her for rear brake shoes). But more worryingly is the 'Cambel kit and tensioner' - the engine being a petrol Duratec 2.0 is actually chain driven and doesn't have a cambelt (she didn't know this until she spoke to me - hence my going through the bill with a toothcomb). I cannot say the car didn't need the other parts allegedly fitted, but I am now very suspicious. I think they have blatently ripped her off thinking she is a dizzy blonde (which, sad to say, she is). Now, what would be the best course of action for her?. Should she stop the cheque?. Also should she (or me) challenge the garage first or speak straight to Trading Standards on Monday? I am worried not just that she has been taken for a ride by these crooks, but who else might they have tried this on. Any assistance is very much appreciated.