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[megaomega123]

Well, where do I start. I took my car for MOT yesterday, had to drop it off at 8am and it was ready for pick up at 4.45pm.
I was told it needed 2 bulbs, handbrake adjusted and the emmissions were high. He said "If you bring it back on Monday morning, we will get that done".
Great! I thought. However, when I went outside to get the car there was a dent in the front wheel arch
I pointed it out immediately and he denied it and said it was there when I brought it in. I argued the point and he said he would sort it on Monday. So I drove away. On the way home I realized they had put my stereo on to CD and that my satnav was directing me home, so they had been playing with that too. Also, my door cards were filthy black with hand prints.
When I got home there was a message on the phone from the mechanic saying that the dent was there when I dropped it off. I called straight back to complain about the other issues I had found and was told to take the car back down.
I got there and he started cleaning the door cards and said that the person that has to sit inthe car and do the steering and lights must have knocked the satnav   It has a small button that needs pressing 3 times to put it in go home mode. He carried on denying it but offered to fix it at his expense, like he was doing me a favour lol.
I told him that I was not happy to leave the car unattended on his property because I did not trust what they may do. He said that I should speak to the mechanic because he is 6 foot 7
He then proceeded to say "well it's not like it's a £33,000 BMW"
I said "my point exactley" "Because it's not a £33,000 BMW you dont treat it with respect and give it back t me in a disgusting state with a dent".

I do not want to take it back as I really dont trust them. What can I do about it? I only have 3rd party insurance also.
Also, he said "It's not that bad, we've had worse, we've had cars stolen before" I said "No wonder, when I arrived the car window was open and they keys were in it" . He got on his horse and rode off into the distance lol.

Any advice would be great

[Chopsdad]

Two words - TRADING STANDARDS.

The interior I can forgive but the dent, nee scrape is outrageous!

My advice, don't pay, get TS involved and get it repaired at independant source who will settle the bill direct with the garage and guarantee their work.  If not the claim the cost back via the small claims court for about £20.

Then take it somewhere else for your MOT.

idiots

[Jim Bob2]

I think you have done the right thing not letting them near the car any more. If I was in your situation I would'nt go back there at all. Wait till Monday morning then call the local Trading standards branch and see what they say. I would also call my insurer because although only TPFT cover , they should be able to claim off the garages insurer( if they are insured). If trading standards give the gararge a call they may be more liable to cooperate.
You do need proof that the dent was'nt there when you gave them the car.
Good luck.

[razzo]

I agree do not take it back to the garage,go to trading standards see what they can do, small claims court is a possibility. You may want to seek advice from someone in the legal profession possibly a letter from a solicitor threatening possible legal action. They dont cost that much and may just get the garage to back down. If not maybe you could threaten to name & shame in the local paper. HTH

[Markie]

Again agreed! Trading standards and a stif letter / follow up letter re small claims court.

Oh and photograph everything and note everything down

[STMO123]

Wait until Monday to see what they come up with. Trading standards and small claims may work but what a PITA. I'm sure you could do without this.

[Ronald_McBurger]

Talk to the police. This is criminal damage.

Then, go to trading standards and VOSA. they will be very interested in an MoT testing ststion that not only mistreats vehicles, but also that 'threaten' customers with their 6ft 7 mechanic.

Then, burn the rather garage to the ground! Winkers.

[Kevin Wood]

As RonaldMcBurger said, complain to VOSA. Threatening their status as an MOT testing station should make them sit up and take note. Imagine the business they would lose if they lost that status.

Follow up the other channels too, though.

Kevin

[megaomega123]

I telephoned VOSA this morning and they said it is nothing to do with them. I fail to see how it is nothing to do with them. They are the regulatory body of MOT test stations and didnt want to know.

Gives me great faith in the system. I have found in the past that following the legal process never works, so maybe follow him home after work and rearrange his car, see how he likes it. Hopefully it will be a £33,000 BMW  

[megaomega123]

BTW
The garage concerned is Frank's Fastfit in Dundee. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

[Jim Bob2]

R.E doing thier car over. Don't do that mate, thats what people like that want you to do, you would be sinking to thier level. Go through the motions that have been mentioned and don't be too impatient. It may take a while to get reimbursed for the repair but at least you won't be breaking the law, and you could end up getting some other bits tidied up at their expense, if you are sneaky!  

[DaveL]

Sorry to hear about your treatment by this so called garage. All the advice given seems to be the way i would go about the problem. If you could find an independent witness to the state of the car before you took it into this cesspit all the better. Did they have any close circuit cameras operating around the site? You may be lucky enough to find evidence on film. Did you have any witness to the 'threat' of the big mechanic, if so then a criminal offence has been committed and take it up with the police in Ward Street. If not then it is his word against yours.

Trade Standards would be most interested because the garage are providing a service and as such have not. Did you sign any paper work before you left your car at the garage? If so did you get a copy of it?

I have just gone through a similar problem with Halfords in a very local place to where you are from. The workers thought they would try to brow beat me into not getting a replacement item even so it was defective. They are now more enlightened as to the consumer act and their responsibilities. Part replaced and £20 gift voucher. Stick to your guns, in taking away your car the garage concerned will probably charge you a re-test fee (if you take it back to them).
 8-)
DaveL
 

[tunnie]

bastards is all i can say! really makes you sick, and also how lucky i am to have a good local guy down the road....

Personally after that I would park my car next to the guy who owns the place... (hopefully he has a posh motor) then slam the door against his and go "your right, its not a £33,000 BMW"

Agreed with comments above, this is in fact a police matter. Try the Citizens Advice Bureau as well

[Kevin Wood]

I would make a written complaint to VOSA and follow the other channels suggested. It's quite possibe that the muppet who answered the phone is a call centre droid and didn't have an option for handling that type of call on the screen in front of him. If your car has been damaged during the course of a mandatory test required by the government and VOSA are the agency responsible for administration of that test of course they have some responsibility. I am sure there are requirements for testing stations to avoid and rectify damage to cars submitted for test and if this station has proved to be lacking in that respect you could at the very minimum trigger VOSA to inspect them and cause them some grief.

It would be usefult to trawl the VOSA web site to see if there is anything regarding responsibility for damage caused in the course of an MOT test.

Kevin

[STMO123]

From the VOSA website


What action can I take against the garage?
VOSA cannot request compensation on your behalf -  you can however take action in conjunction with your local trading standards department, take out proceedings personally or refer the matter to the police.

Any subsequent action VOSA decide to take against the garage that tested your vehicle is done at their discretion, and should have no bearing on any action you may decide to take.


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_4022113