Car damaged at MOT followed by shoddy repairs

[imvarma]

Hi all, sorry for the long post but I hope someone can help.

 

My car had it's MOT back in November '07 and while it was there the garage broke the front bumper probably when reversing off the ramp.

 

Pic1

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage/01.jpg

 

Pic2

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage/03.jpg

 

Pic3

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage/04.jpg

 

Now when I confronted the garage about the damage he denied it, but eventually agreed he would get the vehicle repaired. now the car is not your usual A-B car but a very well cared for enthusiasts car and I wanted to go to a garage I trust for the repairs but the garage insisted it go to the guy he uses. I was left with no choice but to agree.

 

I was told the guy was away but he could get the car booked in in two weeks, so after two weeks I made contact with the guy at the garage who eventually gave me the number for the bodyshop for me to arrange a date for the repairs.

 

It was agreed that the car would be in for two days, three days later I was able to pick the car up, but the repair was poor to say the least. After taking it to another bodyshop (where the vehicle was resprayed only two years ago) the list of faults with the repair was as follows:

- Mask lines obvious

- Poor Filler/ Bodywork visible through paint

- Clear Blend line

- Laqure over dirt

- Bumper not repaired

- Splitter not attached

- Overspray on surrounding panels

- plastic splitter repaired with filler and cracking

- Runs in the paint

 

Pic1

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage2/09.jpg

 

Pic2

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage2/05.jpg

 

Pic3

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage2/01.jpg

 

The issue now is I have been told he will sort it out, but firstly he was on holiday again for two weeks, and now he should be back I'b being given the run around.

 

What I want to know is where do I stand with the repairs and at what point can I go else where, its been going on since 10th Nov '07, the shows are starting again soon and I need the car ready and looking perfect!

 

Any help greatly appreciated.

 

AndyV

[Conniff]

Take the itemised report you got to the MoT station and with a price for the repairs to be done satisfactorily and tell them you will accept cash or a debit card.

 

They have been given one chance to repair it after admitting that it was their fault so now let the expert who done your respray and gave you the itemised report do the job and the MoT station paying for it.

[patdavies]

How can an individual accept a debit card??

[Conniff]

Sorry Pat, that bit was tongue in cheek and supposed to raise a smile. Will buy better crackers next Christmas.

[Hammy1962]

I have to say that is probably the worst paint job i have ever seen. Whoever did this needs their equipment confiscating.

 

On a lighter point, I do like the cable-tie holding the front spoiler on though

 

Hammy

[imvarma]

Well the bumper has gone back to the body shop having finally got a hold of them and here is how bad it looked after less than two months...

 

http://www.imvarma.co.uk/upload/tegpics/motdamage3/06.jpg

 

What I would really like to know now is when it comes back and again isnt any good, how do I go about geting it done else where and charging the garage? Can I legally do that and where does it say this? also what is the next step if/when he refuses to pay?

[TonyCorsa]

Have you got some come back via the bank you use - I know you have if you pay by Visa

[WizardWheels]

Looks to me that it needs a complete new front spoiler and associated paint job. The repair being offerred to you is obviously unsatisfactory. I would take the car to a bodyshop that specialises in this sort of job and get a written repair quote. You then have something to work with.

 

Write to the garage and state that the repairs done to your car are unsatisfactory (you have evidence) and submit the quote you aquired for the cost of a proper repair. If they do not agree to pay for the repair you can then make a claim against them using the small claims court service (claims less than £5000, see small claims service).

 

It could be said that you have lost faith in the garages ability to make a satisfactory repair to your vehicle and have the repairs done at a place of your choice. A written quote for the work will be enough to use in court, you don't have to have had the repairs carried out.

 

When damage was inflicted on my vehicle due to third party negligence I obtained quotes for the repairs which I used successfully in court.

 

Good luck, please let me know how it turns out

 

 

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