Garage Costs/Car Hire

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
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Sun 15 Dec 2002 19:14
Garage Costs/Car Hire - R.A
Hi

Further to the post in Technical Section -"Ka problem-what to do next", the following should be of interest to most people (concerning repairs, car hire costs), and people should read that post first.

If your vehicle has a low mileage on it,(or indeed any mileage) and sent in for service/MOT, it is difficult to see how the repair work stated in that post needed doing. Possibly a fast one by the garage to pay staff wages, possibly not, it is not up to me to state how garages operate. Remember that the customer is only obliged to pay "reasonable costs" where servicing is concerned, especially after the customer has insinuated what he/she wants for the vehicle (in this case a service).

Under the Supply of Goods and Services Act, a garage has a legal " duty of care" in the servicing of your vehicle whilst in their care. As suggested, the car was going fine before the service and until the plug was snapped by their mechanics, then apparently needed a new cylinder head - at 6,000 miles! But remember they still mitigated their mistake by repairing it up to 75% of cost after the customer complained. They had no choice under consumer law!!

As for the courtesy car, normal procedure is to ask before car handed in whether a replacement one will be supplied for the duration of service. Before the next service, find a garage that will agree to this.

Regardless, if the garage did not have your vehicle ready in time,(after they said it would be),and you had pre-booked events (wedding,long trips, etc) where you hastily needed to hire a car to carry out your duties, you would be in a strong position to claim compensation (costs)from the garage for their lack of care in not having your vehicle ready.If the garage started squealing when you hand them your claim,issue a Small Claims Writ in your local County Court, (no costs if you lose) and the Judge would decide on the balance of probabilities who was right!!

In this case, most likely in the customer's favour!
Hope this helps.
R.A


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