916Duke

The old man was having his car serviced by our usual mechanic. We've used this guy for years - he's a friend of my brothers, and works from an industrial unit. Anyway, he's got the car outside his garage, engine running, tools underneath the raised bonnet and then returns inside his garage for whatever reason... and someone steals the old mans car. (What a surpise)

Now my Dad's insurance doesn't want to know as the engine was left running (understandable) and the mechanic is now saying his business insurance is saying the same thing - they won't cover him... Obviously the mechanic is liable - but what happens next? My brother knows this guy really well and says there is no way he can pay back the £6k the car was worth... he could probably manage to pay a bit weekly...

I am going to get some proper legal advice ASAP, but any thoughts?

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

OMG what a nightmare situation Sadly the mechanic is 100% liable for leaving it running though Hopefully the car will turn up again.

BlkKnight

Surely the garage's insurance will cover it?

Dream Weaver

My mechanic used to do this, bloody annoying

He should pay up really, and its very odd that his insurance doesnt cover it.

Gordo

Mechanic fully liable - not your fault if he hasn't got proper insurance, he still has to pay. Up to him to sort his finances out/ get a loan or whatever to pay you back immediately.

Good luck
Gordo

Brendan Hughes

Next ten years' free servicing.

Dracoro

So at £200 a shot, that's £2,000. Still £4,000 short

Get him to pay it back. He can take a loan, offset it off his business etc.

Yeah it's unfortunate as he's a mate but it's not your fault. How much money do you want to give your mate at the end of the day?

Amazed it happened though. Imagine if it was a more expensive car!!

Leslie

Terrible situation to be in, I suppose the best hope is that your car might be recovered in reasonable condition.

Les

pslewis

The Mechanic has to pay up ..... if his Insurance doesn't cover him then he will have to pay out of his own pocket.

He owed your father a 'Duty of Care' and failed in that care.

Its difficult, but clear cut.

Pete

916Duke

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Apparently because the car was outside of his workshop (although still on private property) and he had the engine running, his insurance are saying that they will not pay... Not exactly clever leaving it running, but it's happened now and we just need to resolve it. He (the mechanic) has been to see his solicitor with his insurance details this morning and has been advised that his insurance should at least partially cover the claim. Will see what happens next - I guess the car could still turn up.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

what car was it?.

916Duke

The car was a 2000 'W' Renault Scenic - Not the greatest of cars, but it was the newest and most expensive car my parents have ever owned. What compounds the problem is that the old dear needs regular trips to the hospital at the moment and that was their sole means of transport. I'm trying to persuade them to borrow the scoob - but my Dad really isn't keen on using it!

binxta1

my father in law had his bmw nicked from his drive when he left it running after getting it out of the garage.....turned round to close doors and gone!!
his insurance paid out as,though it was running,it was on his property.....
i'd get a copy of the mechanics insurance policy.......surely if it's on his property he's liable....sounds like he's trying to pull a fast one!

the wife!

camk

ditto my brother with Citreon AX, went back in to put a light out and left car in Driveway and came out to see it drive away. Insurance paid out.