Paul-EFC

Hi guys, as a few of you are aware, I've recently had a lot of rebuilding stuff done to my blob after burnt valves etc.
I got it back in the beginning of Feb, (it went it mid December). It lasted 3 days before my misfire was back, and a major oil leak.
He reluctantly took it back in.
Had it back a week now, and today I had to drive to Liverpool for a funeral (55miles). When I got there, there was smoke bellowing from the engine bay. Checked oil, and it was empty. Called the RAC out as well for a quick check over.
I called him, and his response was ' I wish I'd never even started on the f***ing car'.
Not helpful. I know a lot of people have told me to just demand he fixes it / dump it back there until it's done. Realistically though, where do I stand now?
It never had an oil leak when it went in.

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Id take it somewhere else that know what they are doing and send him the bill

Paul-EFC

But would a garage take on the work, knowing that they will be waiting on payment from another mechanic?

antonio99er

What garage is it? Give trading standards a call matey they can help you out a little?

Paul-EFC

I think I'll have to bud. Spent every penny and borrowed to get the work done. Didn't see this coming as I've used him for years without issue

CutMasterT

iTrader: (2)

I doubt a garage would bill another garage, they would bill you, and expect you to chase the other guy.
Definitely worth getting on to trading standards, and a few letters sent could be enough to get him to sort it via a refund etc

that response tho is just something else - ' I wish I'd never even started on the f***ing car' - that is just mental, you pay all that money and get treated like that!

RICHARD J

iTrader: (4)

The original mechanic is obliged to fix it if it was his fault, but he is not obliged to pay another garage to repair it unless he agrees to it.

Paul-EFC

I know mate. If I tried that in my line of work people would wipe the floor with me!

Paul-EFC

Thought so. Cheers bud.

CutMasterT

iTrader: (2)

to lose all your oil there must be a pretty major leak somewhere? have you checked for any obvious signs of a leak?

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I would get the original garage to have it back to sort out the work on the understanding that if its not done right this time you will either take it to another garage and let them assess the situation and give you a good idea of what needs doing and how much or you take it to the trading standards and possibly look at claiming back the money from said garage with extras for all the hassle. Also see if you could get a courtesy car thrown in whilst your car is back in having the ballsed up work being done

Paul-EFC

Sorry mate if I get the name wrong, I believe it's a rocker cover?! The rac guy said he thinks it's that but will need to go to the garage to find out

Paul-EFC

That sounds like a plan mate. I've got a work van so getting around isn't really an issue. Just the fact that I've paid him nearly 2k in the last few months alone that's bothering me now

LUCKO

iTrader: (3)

buy cheap buy twice

best of luck sorting it

Paul-EFC

UPDATE - it's still not ready. He told me it would be back today.
Phoned him, and apparently, the new parts he put in the first time around are damaged, car is in bits so I can't take it away.
It's been in since mid December now.
What is my next step? I feel I'm getting lied to every week.

neil-h

Best bet is to speak to citizens advice, at this point they'll probably reccomend trading standards and/or small claims court to recover your losses.

weirdfish

Going through something similar with a builder at the moment, but it might help if you do the same.
Basically go and have a chat with your mechanic, ask him exactly what's being done to your car, then agree to a set time to get the car back to you, ( 14days maybe ), obviously with all work warrantied.
If above doesn't happen then put it in writing to him, ( but state that you will be recovering all costs if car is not returned fully repaired ),send it recorded delivery.
If all this fails, then go through the small claims court to recover all costs, you don't need a solicitor, you can do it all yourself.
It normally makes them sit up and take notice if it looks like you know what you're doing.

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

He obviously hasnt got a clue, If its a rocker cover gasket its about £60 for both sides including the bolt seals and half moon gaskets, Are you sure he fixed it last time and not just got his silicone gun out?

You can order them for next day delivery and fitting is about an hour or two each side

RS_Matt

I think it's best too move about a bit, after a while specialists take a car for granted. It's like a relationship.

Bit OT but as a WRX owner sometimes it's a bad idea to take a car to a jap specialist who favours Evo's/STI's/Classic's etc.

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

A specialist who knows a car IMO is far better than dripping it off at wherever, You must have one if those faces if that's how you feel with your WRX complex

RS_Matt

I do feel that at times! TBH I always feel like the wife is ready to trade me in. She certainly used to service me better when we first met.

Most companies are nice at first, I think we should call it corporate grooming. If I'm not mistaken new BT customers get a better deal than existing ones.

My face or just life in general who knows?

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

I do kind of agree with with you on that though ...but IMO if you choose the right tuner/garage there should be no corners cut/complacency...Anyone can call themselves a specialist it just depends in what context that are referring it to

Paul-EFC

I'll have a look into it, thanks mate.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Go to the garage as soon as you can (when its open of course) take a look at your car and take some pics of where they are with the work. Ring them everyday and ask for a progress report. Go to the garage on the day its supposed to be ready and if its not done, take some more pics of how far they are. You should either see if they have touched the car or not and hopefully have a general idea of time it should take to finish it. Maybe when you go on the day to supposedly collect take another decent mechanic with you that may have a good idea of how much work is left and a day to finish.
Then its up to you to give them an ultimatum of done by such a date or you will take legal action. But that could back fire on you and they may say f**k you and leave it in bits