Car damaged while in a garage

[markjay]

The ECU but may be an annoyance to the owner, but in terms of compensation, no damage was caused.

Unless the ECU fault codes deletion was charged for, and it wasn't needed for the alignment you asked for.

 

[UrbanM]

Hello guys,

wanted your thoughts on a situation that has come up with the cls55. Just before lockdown, i put the car into a local garage (who had decent reviews) to have the wheel alignment done. It transpires that they didnt actually know what they were doing with the fluted adjuster bolts on these and proceeded to try and turn one like you would a cammed adjuster.i was also charged a whopping £250 for the alignment, explaining all the things they had done blah blah. The car still pulls to the left worse than ever and ive a damaged lower arm (the lugs inside have been sheared off).
I photographed the parts and also asked why work that was not authorised by myself was carried out (playing about with the ecu).
Covid hit and i was told nothing could be done at the moment. It seems this garage is now open again, ive sent a follow up but am not hopeful that it will be resolved in the slightest.
How would you tackle moving forwards?

Garages never take responsibility. That’s been my experience.

 

[AW8]

Chris.

Thanks for clarifying points.

It can be awkward for garages dealing with fussy customers...perhaps armed with some knowledge.

Some mechanics are better with spanners than dialogue.... Main dealers have smiling service reception staff for various good reasons.

Once you involve solicitors you could end up with more costs....To prove they did damage you would need photos, receipts, probably an independent written report & still struggle need to convince a small claims court that they did damage due to incompetence.

I would politelty but assertively call and email asking them ro pay for broken bits (finally threatening negative FB reviews or court)...If they don't agree I would walk away unless highly motivated for a battle & associated costs.

Another example of folk doing as they like and getting away with it.

P.S. Before I get indy slapped...I am NOT suggesting all mechanics are angry unreasonable or unfair. Lots of good mexhainics & small businesess but plenty less good too.

 

[chris-durham]

i suspect if the steering sensor hadn't been reset, via "playing with the ECU, you would have had some warning lights generated..

Doubt it to be honest, never had a fault code off that ecu after a front/rear toe adjustment.
Could you imagine every cls or e class owner going to get their tracking done at kwik fit then needing a session on star? Lol

so yeah the playing with it was not required. Why would i pay someone to do that when i have the kit and knowledge to?

 

[chris-durham]

The ECU but may be an annoyance to the owner, but in terms of compensation, no damage was caused.

Unless the ECU fault codes deletion was charged for, and it wasn't needed for the alignment you asked for.

Ive got the appropriate kit to resolve any ecu issues myself which was also explained. There were no codes relating to steering angle sensors anyway. And yeah it was charged for.

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Doubt it to be honest, never had a fault code off that ecu after a front/rear toe adjustment.
Could you imagine every cls or e class owner going to get their tracking done at kwik fit then needing a session on star? Lol

so yeah the playing with it was not required. Why would i pay someone to do that when i have the kit and knowledge to?

You have STAR? Congratulations. You fitted suspension and camber bolts yourself, remind us why you need the garage???

I'll still can't figure out how you expected the garage to reset the alignment if you told them not to adjust the camber...but it ain't my problem.

Hope you find a satisfactory outcome despite the majority here suggesting you move on

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Forget about the old garage and move on is my advice.

The fact you did not contact them till a week after the work I don't think would work in your favour.

 

[chris-durham]

You have STAR? Congratulations. You fitted suspension and camber bolts yourself, remind us why you need the garage???

I'll still can't figure out how you expected the garage to reset the alignment if you told them not to adjust the camber...but it ain't my problem.

Hope you find a satisfactory outcome despite the majority here suggesting you move on

Remind u, u mean, i dont have the kit to do a front and rear toe alignment, like most dont.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Which garage was this ... its my neck of the woods and would like to avoid it. . Message me if you don't want to name n shame. Thanks

 

[renault12ts]

You have STAR? Congratulations. You fitted suspension and camber bolts yourself, remind us why you need the garage???

I'll still can't figure out how you expected the garage to reset the alignment if you told them not to adjust the camber...but it ain't my problem.

Hope you find a satisfactory outcome despite the majority here suggesting you move on

Let's imagine he did put in adjustable camber bolts...so what? The standard system has no adjustment anyway. Why are you being so hard on him?

 

[219]

Chris.

Thanks for clarifying points.

It can be awkward for garages dealing with fussy customers...perhaps armed with some knowledge.

Some mechanics are better with spanners than dialogue.... Main dealers have smiling service reception staff for various good reasons.

Once you involve solicitors you could end up with more costs....To prove they did damage you would need photos, receipts, probably an independent written report & still struggle need to convince a small claims court that they did damage due to incompetence.

I would politelty but assertively call and email asking them ro pay for broken bits (finally threatening negative FB reviews or court)...If they don't agree I would walk away unless highly motivated for a battle & associated costs.

Another example of folk doing as they like and getting away with it.

P.S. Before I get indy slapped...I am NOT suggesting all mechanics are angry unreasonable or unfair. Lots of good mexhainics & small businesess but plenty less good too.

Lawyers letter , typically £50 , not a lot in the scheme of things .

Evidence : that’s why I suggested him taking car to specialist and asking for a report / quotation .

Remember , a civil action is decided ‘on the balance of probability ‘ a much lower burden of proof than ‘ beyond reasonable doubt ‘ as required in criminal cases .

All Chris has to do is present his evidence in a calm coherent manner - getting judgement won’t be hard . He can represent himself in small claims , the process is quite informal - no need for further legal fees , action costs around £35 and he can ask for costs .

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Evidence : that’s why I suggested him taking car to specialist and asking for a report / quotation .

Wasn't all this back in March though?
I don't really see how an inspection at this point would help anything as too much time has passed.

 

[219]

With the lockdown, things are different.

Assuming OP has merely driven car from repair garage to his home and little else , the mileage recorded by the garage and that on the car now should show little or no use since the repair .

OP did say he has been unable to progress sooner because of lockdown.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

With the lockdown, things are different.

Assuming OP has merely driven car from repair garage to his home and little else , the mileage recorded by the garage and that on the car now should show little or no use since the repair .

OP did say he has been unable to progress sooner because of lockdown.

Yes but it was a week after garage did work the OP went back to them to complain.

How many miles done since "repair" ?

Still think it is better to just move on.

 

[219]

Yes but it was a week after garage did work the OP went back to them to complain.

How many miles done since "repair" ?

Still think it is better to just move on.

From his posting , I read it as none , other than taking the car home . Even then , a week’s normal use , whatever that might be , might not be unreasonable.

No doubt OP will clarify , but I don’t think he is running the car ?

 

[chris-durham]

From his posting , I read it as none , other than taking the car home . Even then , a week’s normal use , whatever that might be , might not be unreasonable.

No doubt OP will clarify , but I don’t think he is running the car ?

Yeah its hardly done any miles, ive a v8 mustang as my daily lol.
Thanks for all the feedback guys, a few decent options have been suggested.
i could be another few hundred to put this right on top of the other work, too large a sum to write off as a matter of principle. £50 at the local tyre shop then maybe, there are too many garages ripping folk off, hoping they dont notice or do anything about it,
Ultimately the way i see it, if i can manage to understand the basics of how the car functions to allow me have rebuilt the full rear end without help then i expect a garage to not try and turn fluted bolts. Its common sense. Even a quick google if you werent sure explains the system used on these and e class.

 

[AW8]

Lawyers letter , typically £50 , not a lot in the scheme of things .

Evidence : that’s why I suggested him taking car to specialist and asking for a report / quotation .

Remember , a civil action is decided ‘on the balance of probability ‘ a much lower burden of proof than ‘ beyond reasonable doubt ‘ as required in criminal cases .

All Chris has to do is present his evidence in a calm coherent manner - getting judgement won’t be hard . He can represent himself in small claims , the process is quite informal - no need for further legal fees , action costs around £35 and he can ask for costs .

I agree with all you say.....

Some solicitors do free initial consults but legal costs can add up after a few chats/letters/emails. A 3rd party garage would probably want a diagnostic fee &/or could charge for a written report, (adequate for court). There might be other issues if garage report author later required to give evidence.

Some of us may have good legal & trade contacts on 1st name terms.... but OP may not.

If I was pursuing this I would represent myself. Its not meant to be complicated. I agree & understand the different standards criminal vs civil burden of proof.

Regardless of COVID-19...I suspect the timescales & prior fitting of non standard parts might not help.

Not being defeatist but I am a realist......Worth a shot - assuming the OP is suitably motivated.

 

[chris-durham]

The fluted bolts to allow adjustment of the camber arm are mb genuine items.