Anyone know the regulations regarding cars breaking down when they are at the garage?
My weekday car (10 year old beemer) went in for its MOT last Wednesday. During the test, the radiator expansion tank split depositing the contents of the radiator on the floor. As the car was unable to be driven away I instructed the garage to effect the replacement of the expansion tank.
Subsequently (on Thursday) the garage informed me that the water pump had failed (which is why the pressure built up and the expansion tank went pop) and I approved the replacement. This has created a “running total” of almost £300 in repair bills.
I was advised on Saturday that the radiator fan had also failed and today I was told that the radiator has a crack (and there is an implication that there may be further damage) but have not been advised of the details or resultant cost.
The value of the car is about £1000 - £1200.
My question is that should the (escalating) cost of repairs be unacceptable to me and I elect to scrap the car, would I be responsible for payment for repairs to date? My view is that seeing as the car was “in their care” at the time of failure it could be considered their responsibility (but I doubt this is actually enforceable) or that they were remiss in their diagnosis and that they have discovered faults which were not part of the original estimate and that these are their responsibility as a result in failure of duty of care.
My personal position is that I’m prepared to pay the £300 but any additional is for their account and if this is not acceptable then I’ll not pay anything and scrap the vehicle instead.
My weekday car (10 year old beemer) went in for its MOT last Wednesday. During the test, the radiator expansion tank split depositing the contents of the radiator on the floor. As the car was unable to be driven away I instructed the garage to effect the replacement of the expansion tank.
Subsequently (on Thursday) the garage informed me that the water pump had failed (which is why the pressure built up and the expansion tank went pop) and I approved the replacement. This has created a “running total” of almost £300 in repair bills.
I was advised on Saturday that the radiator fan had also failed and today I was told that the radiator has a crack (and there is an implication that there may be further damage) but have not been advised of the details or resultant cost.
The value of the car is about £1000 - £1200.
My question is that should the (escalating) cost of repairs be unacceptable to me and I elect to scrap the car, would I be responsible for payment for repairs to date? My view is that seeing as the car was “in their care” at the time of failure it could be considered their responsibility (but I doubt this is actually enforceable) or that they were remiss in their diagnosis and that they have discovered faults which were not part of the original estimate and that these are their responsibility as a result in failure of duty of care.
My personal position is that I’m prepared to pay the £300 but any additional is for their account and if this is not acceptable then I’ll not pay anything and scrap the vehicle instead.
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