Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help?

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Mon 16 Apr 2012 22:40
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - sweeny135

I took my car in for a routine service and MOT. On my way back from the garage I noticed steam coming from the bonnet. The garage, they have now said that the cylinder head has cracked and the fourth cylinder hole has filled with water. They are now claiming that the previous service from a different garage had overtightened a spark plug and caused the damage and when they removed it during the service the head cracked. They aren't admitting any liability at this stage and suggested I get an impartial mechanic to look at it (at my expense).

I have contacted MotorCodes to see if they can arbitrate between the garage and myself (not sure how impartial they will be since I suspect they are funded by the motor industry - any ideas anyone?)

If we can't get to an agreement then does anyone know what I can try next?The car I suspect is a write off now since they have quoted me £1500 min. to sort the problem out and the car isn't worth that much (except to me of course!) Gutted because currently I have payed them £200 for the service and all I have to show for my money is a car in bits on their forecourt. Can anyone help?

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Mon 16 Apr 2012 23:27
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - tony g
( caused the damage and when they removed it during the service the head cracked)

Hi Sweeney.

Did the garage really say this ,if they did ,why didn't they tell you before you drove your car away .

In addition I'm not sure how removing the spark plug can crack a cylinder head ,possibly putting one in and overtightning it could .

In simple terms you took your car in for a service and it came back wrecked .

.Rather than spend money on an independent engineers report ,which could well be inconclusive ,I would spend £200 on a small claims court action ,let a judge decide who is responsible .The £200 fee is the limit of your risk ,you're not liable for any additional costs or fees .If you win you will recover the £200 fee plus the cost of repairing your engine .The garage will have to attend court or have the award made against them.

If you decide to use the small claims court ,get back in touch with the forum ,members are always glad to help .

Regards

Tony g
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Tue 17 Apr 2012 14:13
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - sweeny135

Tony

Thanks for your advice - here is what the Motor Codes (trade body negotiator) has to say:

" I wanted the garage to go over the point about why it was not noted at the time of the service that this had happened. The answer was that they would not have known at that time because the crack formed 5 inches inside the spark plug hole. It was only after the car overheated and the car was assessed when it was taken back did they have the benefit of hindsight and were able to diagnose that the crack came from the 4th plug hole. As the neutral third party, I am satisfied with this explanation. The fault would not have been apparent until the car was driven under normal usage.

However, having explained the position they feel more at ease about this and would like to try and help minimise the costs. He has initially offered to half the labour rate, but **** felt it would be better if you two could discuss what options you would have. I am sorry if you were hoping that the garage were at fault and a refund would be on the table, I just don’t think that the garages actions were detrimental to the failure. If you disagree with me you are of course allowed to get a second opinion; I personally don’t think that would be a very cost effective method however."

It seems the trade body has sided with the garage......

So I am now left with the dielemma - should I

1) get them to repair the car and then try to claim the money back in the courts. This would probably cost £1300 more and the car is not worth that.

2) take the hit and scrap the car - presumably I can't go to court if the car is scrapped. I might try to claim back the cost of the original service through the visa debit card I used as I heard you have some rights under this payment.

Cheers

Sweeney

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Tue 17 Apr 2012 19:05
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - Duncan112

"5 inches inside the spark plug hole" - must be phenomenal spark plugs and cylinders.

If the inspection was as sloppy as the report then you may well have cause for complaint - As presumably the cylinder head has been removed from the car it may be worth trying to source a second hand one and risking fitting that - negotiate a discount on the labour. IF the head has not been removed then one must ask how the inspection was carried out.

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Tue 17 Apr 2012 20:04
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - tony g
Hi Sweeney ,you could do the simple thing and just sell your car on e bay as a non runner ,£300/£400 .

However the point I was making ,was is it worth spending £200 to pull the garage into the small claims court and let a judge decide if the garage was at fault .
After all you say the car was in good running condition before you took it in for a service ,it was damaged while in procession of the garage ,no matter what the cause . The only potential cost to you is the £200 .

I wonder if you were to issue a claim against the garage for £1500 whether they would pay ,rather than attend court .

Regards


Tony g
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Wed 18 Apr 2012 18:55
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - sweeny135

Thanks both for your help. I reached an agreement with the garage who are refunding me for the service and one of the staff is buying the car of me for double the scrap value.

It's not the best outcome - I'm still out of pocket - but it's probably least painful all round.

Cheers,

Sweeney

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Thu 19 Apr 2012 09:11
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - thunderbird

Thanks both for your help. I reached an agreement with the garage who are refunding me for the service and one of the staff is buying the car of me for double the scrap value.

It's not the best outcome - I'm still out of pocket - but it's probably least painful all round.

Cheers,

Sweeney

He is buying off you for a bargain price and then he will fit a second hand head and sell it for a tidy profit.

Why not do that yourself?

Its not painful all round, they will make a money, you will loose it.

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Sun 22 Apr 2012 06:13
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - 1litregolfeater

Seconded, you'd do better on ebay.

Don't let them rip you off twice over for heavens sake.

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Sun 22 Apr 2012 06:23
Vauxhall Astra Coupe/Convertible - Service wrecked my car - can anyone help? - 1litregolfeater

seconding Tony G this time, all his advice is sound, I can't understand how you can be so complacent, I'd be hitting the roof, and they wouldn't get away with it.

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