Has an unscrupulous mechanic turned a quick fix into an expensive nightmare? What you can do to fight back against the car repair cowboys.
Where should you turn if your car repair turns out to be a complete misfire? It’s a commonly-asked question. As it turns out, not all mechanics get it right 100% of the time, and all over the country are drivers who will prioritise a cheap bodge job over a costly but professional repair. It’s no mystery that a lot of people simply can’t afford to book in with the top end, high cost experts when the time comes, so either by choice or not, they’ll often end up hiring a cheaper alternative. So what do you do if you find your car fix hasn’t worked, or has even made the problem worse?
You have a few options open to you, however these are not all great. You can return to the old garage, and try to explain that the previous repair you paid for was a bust, and ask, very politely, if they can retry the exercise. Of course this can be a stressful, unpleasant, unwelcoming experience. Naturally customers have a right to complain and demand fair treatment, and legally have a right to a refund or a re-repair, if the original work was not done with ‘reasonable care and attention’- however this can prove a contentious and objective term! When dealing with garages over issues such as these, it’s worth using email rather than a phone call- even though a phone call might seem more urgent, you won’t have a record of what’s said- and that could be the difference between getting what you’re entitled to, and getting shown the door, especially if there’s a senior manager who might not be aware of day-to-day happenings on the shop floor.
You can book in with the expensive pros- though a high price doesn’t mean they won’t try and upsell or take you for a ride. The internet is brimming with all kinds of chain garage-horror stories, from unnecessary new parts to bad fittings to overcharging- not to mention managers who prioritise sales over professionalism. Lots of drivers visit these well marketed, big brand garages without a second thought- and end up paying a lot for the privilege of a big shiny logo. Remember to pay without cash if possible- then if you’re worried you’ve been overcharged, or charged for unnecessary work, you can always contact your bank and request the money transfer, cheque or credit card invoice be cancelled.
Unfortunately, in the UK you can’t use your car insurance to pay to correct the repair- even if it’s a total disaster. Most insurance will only cover collisions with other vehicles, however some insurers may cover accidental damage- so if your car repair nightmare has led to a bump or scratch in the workshop- you might be able to get help covering the cost- assuming the garage won’t do this themselves.
Your third option: you can visit us! We provide the best service in Sheffield, and in our years of experience our team and has seen it all. Whether you need a second opinion or an independent eye cast over your questionable repair, or even if you need a full fix and service, don’t worry- we’ve got you covered. If you’re worried you might have been messed around by a repair service, it’s never a bad idea to get an independent expert to double check & see what could, or should, have been done differently. This will arm you with the trade know-how to make your case with authority and prevent that sense of being out of your depth arguing with the garage that messed you about. We can give you the facts to get your money back, get your car repaired & possibly save another poor motorist being duped by the few unscrupulous experts who give the trade a bad name.
Alternatively we’ll be more than happy to fix the issue properly, professionally and efficiently- so you can get on without putting life on hold because of an unprofessional repair. We understand how much your car keeps your life on track- and with great prices and friendly, expert staff, we know we can get your car up and running, no stress, no fuss. Contact MB Services today for more information on our services- including our great prices & special offers.