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Garage taking a long time to fit new engine. What are my rights?

My partner has a Rover I think V6 (looks like a Jaguar) 05. The engine failed and we purchased one from Morgans (scrap dealer) near Gisborough. A garage was recommended by a friend to fit the engine. The garage has had the car for 9 weeks and comes up with exscuses every week why it is not ready. My partner has been ringing and visiting every week then I took over. It was supposed to be ready last Thursday and we rang at 5pm as arranged and the person fixing the car said he would ring back when ready, he did not. I visited, rang and sent text on Friday, garage closed and no response to any of my messages. John (partner) has seen his car but we have no proof that the new engine is in the car. I am visiting again in the morning and am giving him an ultimatum to have the car fixed and working by Thursday evening otherwise we are taking the car and asking another garage (one I know and trust) to complete the work.

Where do we stand regarding this matter and how much should we pay him for any work done?

I want to go prepared tomorrow so would appreciate an urgent response.

Asked on 5 June 2012 by Rebsy

Answered by Honest John
The garage fitting the engine has a right of lien over the car for the work it has already done. But you are entitled to know precisely what it has done and why it cannot complete the work. The reason may be an incompatibility between the replacement engine and the car's engine management system, or non availability of an essential part needed to complete the job. So don't go in there bad tempered and waving the riot act because there may be a legitimate reason why the job has not been done. If there isn't, you will have to ransom your car out of the garage and get it somewhere else, then use the small claims track of the county court to sue the garage that failed to get the car back on the road.
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