Trouble with taking the car away is that it's not going to be allowed to move until the bill is paid.

Years ago I had a bmw325 tdse, timing chain had jumped a tooth I actually told the very well respected independent German car garage it sounded like a mechanical knock to my ears.

He wouldn't have it, told me it was just an injector off so needed them sent off for refurb, refitted them and knock still there, then he told me inj pump was (now this injection pump had a machining mark peculiar to that pump ie I could identify it)

Anyway pump supposedly changed out, still knocking.

Then this tosser tells me that the head needs to come off as he needs to see whats happening.

Sure enough valve on number 6 tapping top of piston due to timing chain jumping a tooth.

This, was after 5 months in garage, eventually got car back after paying bill.

Car was only doing 25mpg plus it was obviously the same inj pump due to recognised machining marks.

Confronted garage, he swears blind it was different pump, then eventually changed story to sent it for refurb after billing me for new pump.

Net result wss I had to take it to diesel specialist and get investigated as being pump incorrectly timed they provided evidence and I took him to small claims, winning case and retrieve half of outlay....

Wrote car off 4 months later


Stressful time all round but trading standards gave me some good support and guidance.

They owe Ash compensation for his wasted journey to collect the car when they'd told him incorrectly, they owe him dearly for their tardiness. I think the honourable thing to do would be return his car, no charge on the agreement there's no further adverse publicity. Or, pay them for their diagnostic time and shout from the rooftops what an incompetent lot they are. BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

Before you jump mate, just head down there n see what's going on. You'll have too pay the initial diagnosis as Martin done that as agreed. I think the trouble you'll have tho is if you take it too another garage they will want too do their own diagnostics on it and your paying from scratch again. Only thing you can do i guess is just say too them you want it done by end of Thursday next week giving them a clear 5 working days to get it sorted. If they say no they can't do that then 6 weeks in a garage is just going too far and you'll pay the initial cost and that's it I guess

Yes the original £88 for diagnostics I would pay but the rest I am not happy with. Martin only speaks on email. If I call I get sean who knows very little.

I will write down timelines and whats happened then try and get Martin to call me. I will then get the car back. Current Cars

2006 Range Rover Vogue 4.2 V8 Supercharged Petrol
1996 Williams Clio 2

Previous cars

Bentley GT Continental
Porsche Cayenne 4.5s
4.2 V8 Supercharged Range Rover
Porsche Boxster 3.2s
Ford Kuga
Nissan 350z
BMW 316
Porsche Boxster 2.5s
Golf 2.8 VR6 Highline
Renault Clio 16v
Vauxhall Nova GTE

Yes I will say this to Martin. But think giving another week is not right as it should have been done or handed back by now. If it gets done in a week this proves it was just left to one side with other jobs being prefered.

I will have a think today as what to do. I would assume as I reached Martin yesterday they would work on it today at least Current Cars

2006 Range Rover Vogue 4.2 V8 Supercharged Petrol
1996 Williams Clio 2

Previous cars

Bentley GT Continental
Porsche Cayenne 4.5s
4.2 V8 Supercharged Range Rover
Porsche Boxster 3.2s
Ford Kuga
Nissan 350z
BMW 316
Porsche Boxster 2.5s
Golf 2.8 VR6 Highline
Renault Clio 16v
Vauxhall Nova GTE

I only say that as it will save the headache of getting someone else too do it all but if they say sorry we can't do it then I'd just say thanks but no thanks. There's only so long they can use the covid and weather excuse but considering it was supposed to be on the bay from Monday last week, then Wednesday I'd just tell them enough with the bull crap and just an honest time frame

I agree. I have been so patient. There was no snow and covid restrictions when I took it in early Jan. If they didnt want to fix it they were under no obligation to.

I will give it till this afternoon then contact them. Like I said a few weeks ago would hate to see my car just parked out on the roadside. I did see a few when I dropped it off. As Im not close by I havent gone down there to see. Current Cars

2006 Range Rover Vogue 4.2 V8 Supercharged Petrol
1996 Williams Clio 2

Previous cars

Bentley GT Continental
Porsche Cayenne 4.5s
4.2 V8 Supercharged Range Rover
Porsche Boxster 3.2s
Ford Kuga
Nissan 350z
BMW 316
Porsche Boxster 2.5s
Golf 2.8 VR6 Highline
Renault Clio 16v
Vauxhall Nova GTE

Useful info here:-

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer...her_action BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

What's the out one mate

I am still in 2 minds what the best course of action is.

Should I leave it till next Wednesday and if I have not heard from him say I have not heard anything so am coming to pick the car up

Go down there tomorrow and get martin to show me my car and what he isdoing on it

I dont want to get in to the murky world of them either not fixing it or making it worse or making it in such a way its undrivable. I am in a corner a little.

It is a tricky one. I think as much as we know its all excuses covid and snow etc he has the car. I cant see a garage having a car and doing nothing with it that just makes no sense.

Should I contact him and say

How did today go any updates on when I am getting the car back. Even if I ask that I still think I will get fobbed off

If I say somethimg like if the cars not fixed by next week I am coming tp collect it. Thats definitely not going to go down well and they probably wont do anything on it. Current Cars

2006 Range Rover Vogue 4.2 V8 Supercharged Petrol
1996 Williams Clio 2

Previous cars

Bentley GT Continental
Porsche Cayenne 4.5s
4.2 V8 Supercharged Range Rover
Porsche Boxster 3.2s
Ford Kuga
Nissan 350z
BMW 316
Porsche Boxster 2.5s
Golf 2.8 VR6 Highline
Renault Clio 16v
Vauxhall Nova GTE

Arrive unannounced, ask what the progress is tell them that you're unhappy with the situation thus far, get some answers as to what the outstanding work is and a commitment from them as to when it will be completed.

Its, always better to talk face to face imo

Definitely. When I call martin cant talk. I will drive down there tomorrow. I need commitment from them on a timeframe or need to hand car back over Current Cars

2006 Range Rover Vogue 4.2 V8 Supercharged Petrol
1996 Williams Clio 2

Previous cars

Bentley GT Continental
Porsche Cayenne 4.5s
4.2 V8 Supercharged Range Rover
Porsche Boxster 3.2s
Ford Kuga
Nissan 350z
BMW 316
Porsche Boxster 2.5s
Golf 2.8 VR6 Highline
Renault Clio 16v
Vauxhall Nova GTE

For me a face to face meeting, cards on table and be absolutely straight. You were hoping for a repair to be completed weeks ago, sadly for whatever reason that's not happened however you must insist on closure of this job and you need an end date. See what he comes back with, but don't allow him to be open ended that's no good for either of you. If a mutually acceptable date is suggested then I would confirm that back to him in writing (email) confirming all of the details discussed. If you cant reach agreement, take the car away, if payment is demanded that isn't acceptable sign the invoice as per the advice in the link, pay the fee and take it away. You can visit this legally later if you so desire.

Hope you get sorted. BMW i3 Electric Car
2012 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8 (now gone)
2006 VW Touareg 3.0 TDi V6

Ash just my two pence worth!!

I would go to them and speak to Martin face to face you will know then by his response if they are leading you a yarn!!
then agree a time frame with them to fix the issue.

As far as i can see they have identified it, then told you it was fixed but they had got the wrong vehicle, so are you sure they have identified the issue? if they have say to them when will you apply the fix? how long will it take?

I have never heard of a garage put a car on the ramp to diagnose then take it off and not repair unless they have not had authorsation to go ahead. 2012 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - Current
2014 Navara V6 - Gone
2004 Vogue TD6 - Gone
Grand Cherokee - Gone
Discovery V8 (LPG) - Gone
Discovery TD5 - Gone