i dropped my car off to the mechanic on Tuesday. I said i thought it needed a new washer motor and there was a noise under the front left side. Also the tyre on the front right had gone flat twice and looked like it was deflating again and the spare needed replacing as it had been used and went flat so i had to use a can of that sprey stuff in it (sorry not that good with the names but i think you get what i mean).

Tuesday afternoon he tells me its all done, he'd sent the tyres to the tyre centre next door and the front right was ok, he'd fitted a new washer motor and replaced the spring in the front left shock absorber as it had snapped. I asked about the the tyre in the boot and he said he forgot about it and he'd get it sorted out.

My girlfriend collected the car on Wednesday and paid him and he explained things to her. When she got back she said he'd had to swap the tyre in the boot with the front left as the front left was damaged due to the broken spring but a new inner was put in it and everything was ok. She also told me she reversed into the gate on the way out as the yard was packed with cars and the gate was half closed and noone was there to help. She said the owner then guided her out but instructed her to reverse into the gate again (lol) but it wasn't bad and the owner said it was hardly noticable.

Sorry.. i know this is long but trust me it gets worse....

So i called the owner about the tyres and i thought i'd see if he'd say anything about the accident. He repeated what my girlfriend told me so i asked if he was sure about the tyyres as i was concerned about them and he assured me they were ok... as was the "small dent".

I then checked the car and the so called small dent was a crack from under the lights all around the side and the bumber was unhinged from the body. Also another crack was forming on the opposite side (i'm guessing because its taking the strain of the weight).

I drove the car later and i had the same or very simular noise under the car... i couldnt believe it. The garage was shut for the easter break but i noticed the tyre centre open so i dropped in there and asked them to look at it incase they didnt put a wheel on right.... You've probably guessed it... They didnt know what i was talking about. Not only did they deny seeing the car this week but they immediately told me both front tyres need replacing, they didnt look at the spare but looked for the noise and found some bolts that werent done up at all (one was on a joint going to the wheel).

Furthmore they explained the brake pads were past the legal limit or recommended limt (i cant honestly remember) and needed replacing and the disks were worn and needed replacing immediately too.

I'm gobsmacked and totally confused. Has my mechanic lied to me and if so why or is the other company just after an easy sale?

I dont know who to trust but i do know i'm getting new tyres and brakes next week i just cant take the risk with the motor way driving i do and the fact we have 2 kids under 10.

How can a mechanic give a customer his car back in this condition... effectively the front left tyre was the tyre that was in the boot and contained the tempory spray your not suppose to drive fast on or for long distances. He said it had been repaired.

He literally gave us a death trap and had his shoddy workman not left off the bolts i wouldnt have known... all i can think of is the tyre blowing and causing a serious accident or worse.

How can he and why would he do this?

Part of me just wants to forget it as a bad experience and move on but i'm concerned about other people that use him. There has to be something wrong upstairs to tell such blaintant lies? Should i do something or just leave it?