Basically, my mom took her car to a mechanic we've been going to for years. For quite some time now we've been getting the impression that we were getting a raw deal. This time he flat out did not fix the car. He said what (in his opinion) was wrong with it, ordered the parts, and charged my mom for the works. Case in point, it did not fix the problem at all. Not one bit.
She took it to another place, and they found the true problem. They were able to fix it for half the price of what the faulty-mechanic did.
When confronted, the faulty mechanic apologized and expressed feeling badly for not fixing the car, but did not offer any sort of compensation.
Would we be justified in pursuing legal action? Small-claims court perhaps?
2006-12-08 03:59:43 · 6 answers · asked by Noah 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Basically, my mom took her car to a mechanic we've been going to for years. For quite some time now we've been getting the impression that we were getting a raw deal. This time he flat out did not fix the car. He said what (in his opinion) was wrong with it, ordered the parts, and charged my mom for the works. Case in point, it did not fix the problem at all. Not one bit.
She took it to another place, and they found the true problem. They were able to fix it for half the price of what the faulty-mechanic did.
When confronted, the faulty mechanic apologized and expressed feeling badly for not fixing the car, but did not offer any sort of compensation.
Would we be justified in pursuing legal action? Small-claims court perhaps?
Added details:I think I should point out he DID do what he said he would do. He said "X" part is what's wrong with your car, and he ordered a new "X" and installed it properly. THe problem, is "X" is not at all what was wrong with the car.
2006-12-08 04:38:47 · update #1
Part of the cost of an auto repair is the fee for an expert diagnosis. If the mechanic stated before repairs were performed that the action he recommended would correct the complaint that you had with the car, then he has given you an expert diagnosis. It should be worth whatever you paid for it.
Auto repair is as much of an art as a science and a good auto tech will inform you in advance if he thinks that his diagnosis might not be 100% accurate. He should tell you if there is a chance that you may be risking money by performing the recommended repairs. But you should definitely know that in advance.
If you feel like he owes you compensation for expenses that were caused by a faulty diagnosis then you should tell him so in a nice manner. A letter might be better than in person or by phone. It would not be unreasonable for the mechanic to refund to you all the expenses for the repair, perhaps with the exception of his wholesale cost for parts which were installed. You will get some benefit from having the newer parts on your car.
If the mechanic is reasonable with you after being asked then keep using him. Honest and reasonable servicers are difficult to find.
But if he will not stand behind his work then start searching for a better mechanic. And if it is a significant amount of money involved then you might consider legal action. Otherwise, just chalk the expense up to experience.
WK
2006-12-10 00:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by olin1963 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that the lever controlling the heater temperature is working, this usually moves over a background scale coloured blue and red. Put it far over on the red. Check that moving this level operates the input water tap to your heater. Usually there is a cable (not electrical) connecting the heater lever in the car to the control tap on the heater. You may not be able to see where this cable goes inside the heater, so in a quiet environment listen for movement noises inside the heater while you move the lever. When your engine is cold check the radiator water level. You may have to do this at a white plastic tank showing the water level. DO NOT DO THIS with a warm engine, you could be sprayed with very hot water. If the water level is too low it may not be circulating through the heater. Also if you have a water temperature gauge in your dashboard instrument panel look at this gauge after you have been driving for 10 minutes. If its not up very far you could have a failed thermostat that should ensure the water temperature is not cooled down too much by airflow through the main radiator when you are driving. A thermostat change needs an experienced friend or a garage to change it. If its none of these you may have a kinked or blocked hosepipe to your heater.
2016-05-23 06:41:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the amount. You say the guy did apologize. Live and let live. Move on.
2006-12-08 05:02:03 · answer #3 · answered by Wil T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the amount involved.
2006-12-08 04:08:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
auto mechanics are notorious for taking advantage of women.yes, file charges against him. it might just shake him up and think twice about doing it again!
2006-12-08 04:17:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have the slip,he gave you?if you have anything shows he put the parts on,then take the slip and the car and show it to your attorney.yes you should(if you got proof he didnt put the stuff on like he said he did)
2006-12-08 04:07:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋