bizarre price for a respray!!!@??
 

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.

Were these prices from the same garage?

bizarre price for ab respray!!!@??
 

yes quoted £2,500, went in yesterday and told I've to pay over £7,000

Have you got the original quote in writing?

Was there any other additional work that they carried out that was not in the original quote?

Like rebuilding the whole car.....

Kenny - Personally, I'd argue that they should not have incurred any costs above the quoted figure without getting your approval first.

Therefore all costs above £2,500 are there problem and not yours.

A quick google search came up with this:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/...ge_repairs.htm

Perhaps do a bit more searching on line and print off some legal stuff before you go back to them.

Given they have not done 100% of the work, offer them a % of the £2,500 quoted for the whole job and remove your car from them ASAP.

Good luck, Paul. :)

They must think they're working on a real 250GTO - sounds like they're padding the price accordingly...

If they do think that, let them have it for twenty grand...

That'll only make them suspicious - better go for a couple of million!!

But seriously, get your car out of there as soon as you can...

Unfortunately won't give me the car until I pay

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.

Give them a cheque then put a stop on it.

Appoint a solicitor tomorrow.

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.

You should also name and shame so other members are aware of such traders who only damage the trade and genuine traders.

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'.>>

Some useful information here:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/englan...ge_repairs.htm
And here
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/englan...ge_repairs.htm

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

A quote is legally binding.

Respray
 

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).

Dave

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.

How are you getting on with this Kenny? Sorted??

Name and shame. Full bill. I would go for . That way all can avoid the cowboys