Car in a garage for 6 weeks, it is ridiculous - what are my options?

[BigLooser]

Morning everyone. I am at the end of my tether.
My car was recovered after it failed to start on the road and the recovery company offered to look into the repair at their own garage. They first thought it was a problem with a connection and spent about a week testing it. Then they said that it was actually an engine failure and offered to replace it (or scrap the car). We opted to replace the engine - much cheaper than getting a new car as our was running with no problem although obviously was getting old.
They said 7-9 days for the engine replacement. Then they said that some other parts are not working either. Cue another two weeks sourcing them and replacing. Then they said that actually that there is a problem with the connection and they are testing it. A week later - actually, it is a problem with ECU and they have to book an appointment to reprogram it, "please give us a few days".
It's been ten days again and after contacting them they messaged that they would be in touch with an update.
I need the car back, not yet another update.
I have paid so far £1300 so far (they haven't requested payment yet for any further work) and at this point I am very tempted to just stop with the palaver. What are my options?
They have been very professional in their communication throughout, sending me videos of the work they are doing and assuring me that my case is a priority, and they have multiple 5 star reviews on Google.

I agree - considering the cost that you've already paid out and what a miniscule amount you'll get back, compared to having a car with a new engine and how many extra miles that will give you.

I totally understand the frustration but I don't think the garage are dragging it out as it is really hard to get the correct componenents, supplies and the right people with the right knowledge right now. (My husband is having these issues with his car and he's been to loads of garages and is actually good at working on cars himself).

I'd definitely hold on if they've already installed the new engine and I'd get my DD to have some lessons with her instructor in one of their cars and use that for the test.

It's not just the new miles of the engine though.

It's whether 6 weeks after the engine being replaced the clutch or gearbox won't pack up. Or the exhaust system fails the MOT.

You're absolutely right, but you can run those risks with any old car.

I'm just thinking that if she's already spent £1,300 and has been told she'll get scrap value of £200 and she knows that the scrappers will rip out the new engine and sell it on (if I read that part correctly, apologies if I haven't), it may be worth holding on a bit longer to see if the repairs can get done, depending on when they can get this specialist in to see to it - but that's only my opinion - I worked in a garage for 20 years and it's what I personally would opt for but only if the bodywork was decent for the age and there were no glaring issues with other things.

The thing is, if she's had enough and just wants rid, then sometimes it's better to go with your gut and some cars are beyond moneypits ........ there's no right or wrong opinion.

I'd just get rid of the car @BigLooser . Doesn't have to be to them, you can weigh it in and get more for it probably. Or there are plenty of people who would buy it as seen to get it back up and running and sell.

Do you think it can physically be moved to someone else for the work, and then a small claims for the £1300?

I feel your pain as the engine in our car blew up and we decided to replace the engine.
From originally booking it in, them sourcing an engine and getting the work done it was about 6 weeks and cost nearly £2k.
I would persevere but start getting shirty on asking for a drop dead date, alternatively can you find out exactly what is still needed and ring other garages to see if they can do the last bit quicker?
I wouldn't throw away the money you've already spent. Our car incident happened just after lock down and we are literally part exing it this weekend so we've had our fair use of it since. If you don't want to keep it you can sell it but at least it will be fully working and you'll get a decent price.

Thank you very much everyone for your opinions. I am feeling much more reassured now

Sounds like you've been had. I had the loss of speed thing then not starting ... desalination particulant filter.
I'd be asking for a second opinion on new engine.

Would you mind if I messaged you a question about fleet management?

Cannot compare Merc repair cos with a VW group car.

Far east cars have terrible issues with spares, new or old.

My 16 plate Octavia is on 135k even original clutch, so its cost us, aside from service items, £43 to replace an ABS sensor and £80 for an electric water pump B.

Even the cam belt change was under £400.

& diy servicing is well within the scope of a home mechanical, huge number of youtube videos out there on "how too"

We also run an older SEAT, our 2nd one, both over 100k, just routine servicing.

Spares are everywhere, Autodoc in Germany, can often under cut uk suppliers like GSF or Eurocarparts.

@BigLooser Can you just take the car to another garage? i say this because your bill so far would not be anything like enough for a replacement engine, unless they have put in a 2nd hand one .... which would be of unknown condition.

You are unlikely to have had a blown engine AND an electrical issue, so it seems to me they have, assuming they are not lying, replaced the engine for no good reason and now have figured out its an electrical issue.

Sorry I disagree.

If you look at the DriverPower satisfaction survey for 2025 there is no VW group manufacturer in the top ten, and VW comes a lowly 27. These surveys are better than one off anecdotes. It is true to say people are a lot more satisfied with Mercedes.

On my VW group car 35000 miles in the last 10000 miles of owning it I have had blown cigarette lighter fuse, broken alloy. Detached rear wash wipe pipe that from what I can tell is going to be £££ to repair because it is buried behind the dash. I have been told the brake discs are scoured and there is now a gearbox oil leak that could cost thousands to repair.

DIY servicing ? Well you can probably change the pads and engine oil and brake fluid. Everything else I would say is hard work. Certainly the gearbox oil change that is needed on mine (it was doing this when they discovered the leak) is not easy DIY. You need to replace the sump plugs which are one time use and disable the oil pressure pumps with a computer link before you even start ? Possible with DIY, yes. Easy no. Would you want to take the risk on a ££££ car where it could be a £6k outlay if you screw the oil change up and damage the box ?

I might be willing to say this was just my car and it was a one off experience, but 20 years ago I owned another VW group car and the experience I had with it was similar. Cost after cost and no good reliability (yes I was an idiot for buying another one having been screwed over the first time). I also have anecdotes from my friends with similar experiences.

So let's just say our experiences and that of the satisfaction of the population in general differ. There's a reason VW come 27th for owner satisfaction in that survey.

When Peugeot and Renault feature in the top 10, one has to question the survey & its based on newer cars, heavily favoured towards company drivers.

The difference between 10th and 1st was 4%, i couldn't find the full list.

I cannot comment on your experience, just that is not mine nor does the OP agree far east cars are better.
Gearbox oil on mine is sealed for life but we have replaced it, did not need any programming.

Single use drain plugs are v common.

However, newer VW group cars - like yours - are designed to stop DIY mechanics in their tracks, with a newer OBD interface and even things like brake pad replacement needing a VW approved diags tool, any car newer than 2020 is likely to be the same.

All ours needed was a caliper wind back tool, £12 from Halfords to do the disks, total costs for all pads and disks was £89 + £9 delivery, from Autodoc for Delphi, they often have a Sunday price deal on parts.

Our Garage replaced fluid for £40.