Garage problems

[danjones]

Hello,

 

Some advice needed from fellow CAG members. I'm going to avoid mentioning brands/companies at this stage until I see whats what.

 

We had a major engine issue with our car back in September. Our mechanic who we have used for years gave us some options on what we could do with the engine. I decided that the engine should be fully re-manufactured at a specialist and he would take out/refit the engine.

 

Our garage took out and then refitted the engine. We first had issue with it after the mpg dropped significantly, then it was dumping diesel all over the drive. Our mechanic found that a plate that was part of the engine was missing. He also found that the new head that was fitted to the engine was heavily leaking oil. I emailed the specialist at the start of November to say it was leaking and he said if our garage stripped any part of the engine the warranty would be void. He suggested we drive the car to him so he could look at it. I agreed but when dates we're given it was always inconvenient and now i'm looking at mid February before he will consider looking at it.

 

Its now dumped diesel again all over the drive today, my mechanic has come out and said his work is fine and places it would normally leak are dry. I've emailed him saying I want the car looking at straight away but yet again its been brushed off.

 

Im considering speaking to a solicitor tomorrow but is there anything I can do first? We spent a considerable sum with this firm and i'm wondering what small claims would think of this?

 

Dan

[Conniff]

I take it you have been talking on the telephone, stop that and send a letter by recorded delivery giving him 7 days to look at and correct the faults or you will take it to the dealer and send the bill to him.

You should make the 7 days 'time is of the essence' and say that failure to complete within that time will be a breach of the contract you had with him and further action will be taken.

 

 

What was the cost of the engine rebuild ?

 

 

If you don't want to say on here, can you pm it to me please.

[danjones]

Hi Conniff,

 

The engine cost was just under 2000. I've been talking to him via email and I get the impression he just doesn't want to know.

 

Thanks

Dan

[Conniff]

There are quite a few 'reconditioners' that get a used engine, jet wash it and sell it on as reconditions.

 

 

For £1,500 you can buy a genuine manufacturers reconditioned engine, and for not a lot more, a brand new one. The complete set of brand new parts to rebuild a V8 is only £700 plus crankshaft regrind and rebore which means you would have a better than new engine.

 

 

First off is to write using recorded delivery letter listing the problems and asking if he is willing to rectify them. If he refuses or fobs you off, then you

must start the ball rolling by getting a list of faults and cost to rectify done by another garage on company headed paper and Vat registered. You will have to pay for this but will claim it back.

It will give you demand much more officialdom if you use letter instead of email though electronic mail is classed as an official means.

 

 

You will then write again using RD and enclosing a copy of the faults and cost and ask again if he is willing to rectify saying that if he does not respond or answers in the negative then you will take it to the dealer or rectification and send the bill to him. Failure to refund the cost will lead to further action.

 

 

There seems no other way around this one except court. Don't threaten court if you are not willing to go through with it. The initial cost to you will be around £50 and you start it online - https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

[Billy's mate]

You say that your mechanic only removed and re-fitted the engine ?. In this case, your argument is with your mechanic. He removed the engine and chose the company who reconditioned it. Therefore, your mechanic is their customer, not you. Tell your mechanic you want him to put the car right, and let him argue with the re conditioners. If it gets ugly, the usual recorded letters will be needed. Incidentally, I used to recondition engines myself, so I hope it wasn't the company I worked for !