Garage chasing payment 4 years later - legal advice needed

[stopripoffs]

Help needed on this worrying problem....

 

About 4 years ago I took my car into a garage for repairs, and owner quoted me just over a month to complete the work, however the owner dragged his heels and cut a frustratingly long & painful story short it was 1 YEAR before I got the car back!

 

I paid part of the bill as the work was being carried out but because it took them so long to finish the work I told the owner I was not willing to pay the remainder when he delivered the car back - and he has not chased me for the money.

 

Now 4 years later I purchased some parts from the same owner over the phone with my credit card (I know, stupid me), but he has decided not to post the parts to me saying I owed him for the previous work.

 

My question is where do I stand legally on this matter?

 

1) not paying in full for work 4 years ago, and not willing to pay now.

2) garage refusing to send my parts until i pay for the previous work.

3) if garage used my credit card details (after my recent ordered ) to pay for the previous work without my consent.

 

Thanks for you help in advance.

[MARTIN3030]

You could make a claim under section 75 to get your money back from the latest transaction.

[stopripoffs]

Thanks for the info on section 75.....but I would also like to know:

 

1) where do I stand legally if I dont make payments for the previous work - can he take me to court / does he have a case?

2) can garage use my credit card details (from the recent ordered ) to pay for the previous work without my consent?

 

Thanks again

[MARTIN3030]

Given the amount of time that has passed,I think it would be difficult for the trader to get a result in Court now.

Presumably they had your contact details yet made no attempts to recover the shortfall ?

If such a situation did arise,it would give you an opp to counterclaim.

[stopripoffs]

Thank you for your quick response, it was much appreciated.