That's great thanks. I tried to tip your scales but it won't let me, says I have to spread reputation around before giving it to you again. oh well.

Thanks Steve, that makes sense but sounds difficult to actually work out! I'll give it a go as I'm determined to get every possible penny back!!

I did have one small problem to straighten out before they accepted me. One of my old creditors had me down as 'gone away' on my credit file but once that was corrected they opened my account. I would reccomend them to anyone who needs a parachute account and has a poor credit history.

I am typing my prelim letter (well more like a cut and paste job!) I'm not sure about the 'plus £XXX which you have charged me in overdraft interest for the sum which you have taken.' I'm sure someone has explained this somewhere but I can't find any info. Thanks.

Thanks everyone. I already have a cashminder account and trust me when I say if they let me have one, they'll let anyone have one! Thanks again.

Thanks for the quick reply!! I've tipped your scaled.

Hi, I've got my statements from HSBC. Most of the charges are described simply as 'total charges'. I have read Maverick's thread and understand that I can claim these back but what description do I put on the spreadsheet? Thanks.

Hi Freebird, I tried to read your thread but it keeps saying 'page cannot be displayed'.

Ok thanks.

Just a quick question. My Mum has a Lloyds account and is about to start a claim, she needs to know whether or not she is likely to need a parachute account. Has anyone actually needed one or not? Thanks.

I got all my statements from HSBC yesterday. The charges total £445. Will be sending prelim letter very soon!

Great, I didn't think of that. Thanks mnrbig. Teethgrinder, I think you may be right! I will let you all know how I get on with the AA.

My thoughts exactly!!

Hi again, The company is Nationwide Autocentres. Sorry if I'm not supposed to mention them! Anyway, they collected the car yesterday so we'll see how it runs when it comes back. I also found out on Friday that they road tested my car the day they did the MOT - why the heck did they do thet???!!!

Am I OK to name the garage on here? It's difficult to explain everything without using names!

Hi guys, thanks for all your help. Miniconverter, when I asked this guy to look at my car and do the report I have to say he was skeptical because Rovers are prone to head gasket failure. He didn't think it was their fault, just one of those things. However, once he had looked at the car he said there was no doubt as to what was wrong with it. As for the original garage finding someone suitably qualified, I'm afraid I don't trust them. All their staff are qualified, yet when I took my car to them it was running fine and has always been a fantastic car since I bought it. Since they touched it I have only been able to drive it once, it's been off the road since! Need I say more?? Since my last post, the area manager has spoken to the guy who did the report for me. He then called me back saying he had spoken to their legal department and they do NOT admit liability, they do NOT think it is their fault. But as a gesture of good will (because I put a bad review about them on the internet and the area manager came across it) they are prepared to have the head gasket skimmed and pressure tested. He would then like me to change my review or add to it. To be honest I don't trust them to come near my beloved car again but don't really have much choice, if I turn down their offer it will cost me £350 on top of the £150 I already have to pay to replace the radiator and re-cut the valves. Anyway, thanks again for everyone's help.

Also, where do I stand as far as asking them to supply me with a courtesy car in the mean time and possible compensation. The total bill for repairing the car will be around £500. Add that to the amount I paid the garage when the MOT was done and it's a total of almost £1100 (more than my poor car is worth). Thanks again.

Update time!! I have taken my Rover to my local garage to have the report done. The chap who looked at it is Rover trained and worked solely on Rovers for 15 years, so I think it's safe to say he knows what he's talking about. He says they didn't bleed the air out of the engine when they re-filled it. He showed me a small nut which apparently has to be undone in order to bleed it properly. The nut in question is caked in enough grease and dirt to make it obvious (even to a female novice like me) that it has not seen a spanner in quite some time. I have spoken to the area manager of the garage who did the M.O.T and he wants to get another report done. Before their incompetent mechanics get within 20 miles of my car again, I plan on taking a couple of close up photgraphs of the nut as evidence in case they mess around with it during their inspection. Does anyone happen to know what would happen if their report states that it wasn't their fault that the head gasket blew? Where would I stand then? Many thanks.

You go girl!!!!

Hi, Thanks. Unfortunately it was an SAR so had £10 in!! Otherwise I would send it again. As for having to wait another 15 days - I'm shocked. The whole reason for sending letters recorded is they are important!!

Hi, I posted my SAR letter on Friday. I've been checking the royal mail website every day but it still hasn't been delivered. Maybe Friday the 13th wasn't the best day to send it LOL. Just wondered if it's worth contacting royal mail yet? Has anyone else had recorded delivery letters take this long? Thanx.

What does FWIW mean??

Good Luck, keep us informed of your progress.

OK thanks.

Thanks. So would I only need to put my name on the list when my claim gets to the court stage?