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Hi, I bought a turn key mx250 coupe from tribute last August, had a couple of wee problems, leaks from rear screen, heavy leaks at top of the doors and a bit of a problem with the windscreen wipers, also had a couple of blisters on the paint.
I put it in to a garage to get it fixed he quoted me £2,500 pounds to fix these issues to include a full respray and underseal with shoot. A bit pricey I thought but [ foolishly ] I'll go with that to get every thing perfect. 4 months later it's just had the front half done [no colour change ] and I've been presented with a bill for £6,430+ vat which takes it up to well over £7,000
Any ideas on my next steps, already told him to f#ck off I'm a pensioner does any one know if I qualify for legal aid, alternative seems to be to scrap the car.
The first step is to ask them for a detailed breakdown of the bill, this will give you (and a solicitor) an idea where the garage thinks the money has been spent.
It may be that the small claims court is the answer.
The Citizens advice people can some times be helpful, give them a ring also, and good luck with it all.
By law they cannot with hold your car.
They can take legal action against you for non payment, which you obviously will defend but they cannot keep you car. Only the court can issue such a demand. If they refuse to give you the car call the police and say that they have against your will taken illegal possession of your car under treat and you feel vulnerable. If they have any spence they will let you take the car. Trading standards is another point of call, they could shut them down! They have the power to do so. Good luck.
According to the AA:
<<"Can a Garage Retain your Car?
A garage that has repaired your car has what is known as a 'lien'. This is the right to keep the car until payment has been made for the work done.
If you remove your car from the garage without authorisation you risk not only civil proceedings but also (except in Scotland and Northern Ireland) criminal prosecution.
The only alternative open to you, apart from legal proceedings or leaving your car while any dispute is sorted out, is to pay the amount demanded, marking the invoice as 'paid under protest'.>>
As has been mentioned earlier, try and get a fully itemised bill from them, gather all correspondence between you and the garage (including phone call dates) and get in touch with citizens advice. If possible go into the garage and get photos of the car in its current state
get over on the Pistonheads forum and post the story in the plod & the Law section, there are some very good legal minds there who will help you out at no fee, give details and be precise, advise what you have in writing also. I have seen these guys do some fantasic things for worthy causes and save peoples futures and change lives (no exageration).
Good to talk to you yesterday Ken, but not so good to hear about your current issues with the "chancer" who has your car. I hope your plan works out OK and you get the car back safely soon. Your headlight trims will be ready in a couple of weeks.
Shouldn't have taken 4months to get this done. No proof of work then they cannot charge you. If work isn't complete then this still wouldn't warrant the cost. All prices should have been agreed with you even cost of materials before go ahead. All of this should have presented to you before given the nod.
If only the front is done how are they charging 7k and not even paint has been done. I would ask what the cost is for. Eg break down. Rediculous. Where did you say the paintshop was called. Company name etc.
