Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid

Honest John Back Room » Legal matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Mon 2 Oct 2017 14:49
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - Jerrymouse

We bought a reconditioned gearbox from a company, the mehcanic put it in and says its not working. There is a warranty of 3 months so I am sure we will get a new one or refund but meantime are we liable for the garage mechanic labour costs which is £250 as he is goung to want another £250 to fit a second one. Is the seller of spare part liable? We are stuck in the middle?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 14:55
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - RobJP

And this is why you get parts supplied and fitted by the same person/company. If anything goes wrong, it's all down to them. It's called the 'chain of liability'.

Now, you're in the position where the gearbox supplier is going to blame the mechanic, and the mechanic is going to blame the gearbox supplier. And without some PROOF (i.e. an engineers report, which will cost you even more money), you aren't going to be able to pin the blame either way. That 'chain of liability' is broken, and it's going to be almost impossible to prove who is liable.

Time to suck it up and pay again. And hopefully do it differently in future.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 14:58
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - Jerrymouse

Not sure there was any need to take that tone, it was a genuiene question from someone who has never done this before so doesnt know any better,

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 15:26
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - RobJP

Sorry, that wasn't meant as a tone. Purely as a 'you're going to have to suck it up and pay again' statement.

HJ (the man himself) reckons that there are more criminals in the engine/gearbox rebuilding/recon industry than there are in prison - or words to that extent. It's an absolute minefield.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 15:41
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - Jerrymouse

Thats very kind to write back, im feeling quite sick and emotional at thought of costs that we just dont have so over sensitive. Kind regards

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 16:31
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - FP

Rob isn't usually (ever?) guilty of deliberately upsetting people here, but he does get to the point, sometimes a bit bluntly.

I feel sorry for Jerry, but practically he's on a sticky wicket. Best of luck in getting it sorted out - you might get lucky with it!

Edited by FP on 02/10/2017 at 16:31

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 15:53
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - Jerrymouse

The seller has since said rhe mechanic needs to drain oil and relube ,,,, seems quite an insifinifcant thing that will suddently make a gearbox work and mechnaic wants £70 EXTRA to do this, surely a mechnanic would do this as par of the course when changing a gearbox and not charge extra. Not sure I understand the oil parts ....

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 2 Oct 2017 16:46
Vauxhall Astra H - reconditioned part not work/labour still 2 b paid - SLO76
What age is the car and the mileage? Also, is it per chance an automatic?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

10 warranty myths exposed

Here’s how to sort the fact from the fiction when it comes to car warranties.

Cheap Car Warranties

From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.

Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...