Maintenance and Repairs: What to Expect

Of course you need to have your car maintained and serviced to keep it running properly. Inevitably, too, there'll be times when the car breaks down and you need it repaired. The best bet is to find a garage you trust, where you can have the work done quickly and reliably. But wherever you go, you have certain rights.
Finding A Garage
It pays to shop around for an established garage with a good reputation. A trade association sign is always a good indicator, such as the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association or the Motor Vehicle Repairers Association, which means the garage follows the association's code of practice.A reliable garage will always display a menu of fixed-cost work and tell you how much they'll charge to diagnose a fault. They'll have trained staff and display their certificates, and have a complaints procedure.
Before you get any work done, always find out how long the work will take and agree a collection time, check if the work will be guaranteed and for how long and it is important to get this in writing (a guarantee is always in addition to your legal rights, you should also check that the garage will fit manufacturer's parts, insist on an itemised bill and agree how you will pay before the work is done (cash, cheque, credit card, etc).
Your Rights
When you have your car serviced or repaired, you have the right to have the work carried out with reasonable care and skill. If no time has been agreed at the outset, the work must be done within a reasonable time. The materials used must be of satisfactory quality, which means new parts must be genuinely new and not reconditioned.Servicing
Before allowing a garage to service your car, find out exactly what the service includes and how much it costs. Be sure to ask what work they do on the engine, brakes, electrics, steering, bodywork, and suspension. Make sure you obtain this information in writing. Many garages, especially fast fit centers, have a standard list of fixed-cost items.Repairs
Insist on a written quote for the specified repair work and not an estimate. If you don't know what's wrong, get a price for diagnosis. Tell the garage what you want, preferably in writing, and make it very clear any further work will need your approval. If you know exactly what you want and how much it will cost there's less chance of the garage doing extra or unnecessary work, so be precise.When the work's complete, insist on seeing any parts the garage has removed, ask for an invoice or receipt and all relevant guarantees, and keep all paperwork.
Problems
If you find a problem with the repair, contact the garage as soon as you can and give them the chance to put it right. Keep a record of everything, including dates, times, and what was agreed.If you don't get the outcome you want, complain in writing to the garage manager and send a copy to any trade association the garage belongs to - they might be able to resolve the dispute.
If you aren't happy with the outcome, contact your local Trading Standards service (www.tradingstandards.gov.uk). If you feel your complaint still hasn't been sorted out, consider taking the garage to the small claims court - you have a legal right for servicing and repair to be carried out to a proper standard.
Re: What Are my Rights on a Faulty Television?
I would like to know my rights if a SONY tv bought in good faith can no longer connect due to new policy…
Re: When Appliances Go Wrong
I purchased a cooker in November 2019 from argos In April 2020 the heating element went argos replaced it In August 2020 the heating…
Re: When Your Hair Do Goes Wrong
I have coloured my own hair very successfully over the years. When it is due to be coloured, the last few times I have noticed…
Re: Can I Return a Puppy to the Seller?
I sold a puppy in September 2020 and my vet passed all the puppies off as healthy followed by first injections / micro…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
Leigh Williams is a cowboy builder please be careful.
Re: What Are my Rights on a Faulty Television?
Purchased a Sony bravia tv with a 5 year warranty which is now 3.5 years old. I recently had it professionally…
Re: When Cosmetic Surgery Goes Wrong
Some 18 months ago, I had a neck and lower fave spring lift, undertaken by Amur Khan of the Harley Street skin clinic. I had…
Re: Council Houses - Your Right to Buy
Hi I qualify for a right to buy my council House. My problem is that I’ve never earned enough to get a mortgage, until…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
Just a word of warning to avoid a Donovan Elliott from Harrow who says he builds Garden Rooms. He uses many company names and…
Re: What Are my Rights on a Faulty Television?
Purchased jvc 24inch smart TVs from curry’s October 2020.Tv keeps switching on and off and remote won’t swich it…