AIBU about this - car mechanic…

[planaco]

I have an issue with my car, the engine management light is on and into limp mode so reduced power. OBD reader said DPF issues so I took it to a DPF specialist who carried out full assessment and said £1800 for parts plus 6 hours labour…..not great.

I’ve only had the car 5 months, I rang the dealer who I bought it from who said “nothing costs £1800” and “I can get that DPF welded and the sensors removed” so issue sorted. But from looking into this it is highly illegal for a road vehicle to have emissions systems tampered with and will likely fail MOT.

Coughed up the money for the full replacement parts (£1500) just over three weeks ago. They never phoned when part arrived so when I rang I could only get it booked in for yesterday. Booked a trip with the kids for today as told just over 1/2 day job, 6 hours. Phone call within an hour of dropping it off, it’s going to take longer, ok…can get it this morning and head off.

Heard nothing this morning so phoned at 11.30am to be told it was almost finished, 1.30pm came, rang again, not sure how long it would take. Explained I had trip planned and hadn’t expected it to run into a second day, she said we will let you know as soon as it’s ready.

Now is it 1805 and we have missed the first night of our two night trip, sitting waiting all day to pick car up and head off, but nothing!

This along with the “quick” illegal fix the dealer was wanting to carry out to kill the lights on the dash have really pissed me off. I know things take longer sometimes but surely a specialist in this area would know how long in order to quote and now I’m worried they are going to try to charge me for the extra labour hours!

I’m sorry first post and I don’t know how to add a poll but I’m just venting :(

I generally always allow an extra day or so when having work done especially if it’s a big job. I use a one man band mechanic and had the cam belt done last month and there was problem with the timing when I went to collect it so he kept it overnight and I collected it the following day. Often until they start taking the car apart they don’t know the exact problems they’re going to encounter.
Really frustrating for you though when you’ve got a trip booked.

Awk I understand things can be unforeseen but I’d paid £150 for them to diagnose and assess the issue which what I understood the quotation was based on otherwise I wouldn’t have booked a trip with the kids. Just feel they are pulling the wool over my eyes and I’m going to be landed with a bill tomorrow which is well over and above the hours quoted despite forking out for the assessment 🙈

Engines are funny. Sometimes it just doesn't go to plan. I think it was daft to book a trip before you had the car back tbh