The water pump and belt has failed on my wife's car, pretty much writing it off due to the engine damaged caused. 9 days before the failure, it was taken to the garage with two noises pointed out - a "blowing" noise and a "clunking" noise. The blowing noise was a loose induction pipe that was fixed; nothing was done about the cluncking noise, which persisted. 5 days later, the AA were called out after water in a socket caused electrical failure. This was easily fixed, but the AA man quickly identified the clunking as the water pump, and advised it went to the garage. 3 days later, the car was taken to the garage. My wife explained what the AA man had said, and asked if it was safe to drive home. The mechanic asked how far it was (5.6 miles), said it would be OK, and topped it up with water for her - he said it was leaking. She made it 2.5 miles before the car stopped and the damage was done. The AA came out again, confirmed that the failure had ruined the engine, and took the car back to the garage. The owner of the garage has just returned from holiday (today) and is unwilling to offer any assistance for the repairs needed. He and his mechanic claim that my wife was told not to drive the car; she (and her son) say differently. Any legal/technical advice gratefully received. Many thanks in advance.

Edited by Avant on 08/09/2011 at 23:39