To ask for a negotiation of car repair fees?

CableCar · 2024-08-15T19:44:04+00:00

Car broke and garage tried to repair it. The quote for the repair was over £2000 (very poorly car!). While deconstructing the car engine to repair it the garage have racked up an expensive labour bill (approx. £1500 so far) the garage eventually realised 2 days in that the problem actually can't be fixed, which wasn't revealed until the engine had been deconstructed. We now need to pay to fix the actual problem, which is also very expensive, on top of the £1500. Garage doesn't want to waive the £1500 because they've put the man hours in... But also, we are now adding £1500 on to any further repair costs. AIBU to complain and negotiate down the £1500? YABU - they've put in the labour and because your car issue is so complex / engines are complicated, you ought to accept that that's just life... They did their best - you win some, you lose some! YANBU - they should've got it right in the first place

Lmnop22 · 15/08/2024 20:51

Did you get a breakdown of the charges when they thought they diagnosed the problem? Because £1500 labour on a £2000 repair seems high when all they’ve done so far is deconstruct the engine!

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 15/08/2024 20:54

My first question OP, is were you given a 'quote' or an 'estimate', was it in writing? If a 'quote', then they should do the work for the price they gave you, if an estimate, which I suspect it was, you really don't have a leg to stand on, although you could try pointing out that they originally told you it would be £2k, but now it's a whole lot more, which you weren't expecting, and can't afford to pay in one lump sum, so would they consider letting you pay by instalments.

Original poster

CableCar · 15/08/2024 22:31

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 15/08/2024 20:54

My first question OP, is were you given a 'quote' or an 'estimate', was it in writing? If a 'quote', then they should do the work for the price they gave you, if an estimate, which I suspect it was, you really don't have a leg to stand on, although you could try pointing out that they originally told you it would be £2k, but now it's a whole lot more, which you weren't expecting, and can't afford to pay in one lump sum, so would they consider letting you pay by instalments.

It wasn't in writing, just on the phone. I gave them permission to go ahead and do the work that they said was needed, and agreed the specific job. I just feel like it wasn't very fair of them to misdiagnose the work in the first place, as had I'd have known this repair is going to now cost a lot more I'd probably have scrapped the car!! 😥

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Original poster

CableCar · 15/08/2024 22:35

Lmnop22 · 15/08/2024 20:51

Did you get a breakdown of the charges when they thought they diagnosed the problem? Because £1500 labour on a £2000 repair seems high when all they’ve done so far is deconstruct the engine!

They said labour was charged at an hourly rate and explained the labour plus parts would be the specified figure. I hadn't really considered how they have already clocked up over half the costs without even repairing it... DH wonders if they're taking me for a ride.

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FranceIsWhereItsAt · 16/08/2024 10:14

I hate to say it OP, but I think you're stuffed! Unfortunately it's a very expensive lesson to learn, but ALWAYS get a 'QUOTE', in writing, especially with garages as they are renowned for doing extra work without checking in with the vehicle owner, Never go with an estimate, unless you have a bottomless pit of money, and get an agreement that they keep you informed at every stage as to increases in costs, ie, if they estimate it's going to be £500, if it's likely to go above that, they need to contact you as soon as they know, and get your permission to go further.

As a matter of interest, is this a main dealer or a little back street garage? As you say that after spending £1,500 the car can't be fixed, but then you say that you 'now need to pay to fix the actual problem', so do you mean that the garage that has taken the car apart, aren't capable of fixing the problem, so you now have to take it elsewhere?

Original poster

CableCar · 17/08/2024 15:36

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 16/08/2024 10:14

I hate to say it OP, but I think you're stuffed! Unfortunately it's a very expensive lesson to learn, but ALWAYS get a 'QUOTE', in writing, especially with garages as they are renowned for doing extra work without checking in with the vehicle owner, Never go with an estimate, unless you have a bottomless pit of money, and get an agreement that they keep you informed at every stage as to increases in costs, ie, if they estimate it's going to be £500, if it's likely to go above that, they need to contact you as soon as they know, and get your permission to go further.

As a matter of interest, is this a main dealer or a little back street garage? As you say that after spending £1,500 the car can't be fixed, but then you say that you 'now need to pay to fix the actual problem', so do you mean that the garage that has taken the car apart, aren't capable of fixing the problem, so you now have to take it elsewhere?

We took it to a local garage and have never had this problem before...we haven't acted any differently to how we normally do with repairs! They've always been really great before and are recommended highly on Google etc by other customers.

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