I wondered what the law says about how long a garage must guarantee the repair work that they have carried out on a vehicle. For example, if a timing belt and tensioner was replaced but the pulleys weren't and some time afterwards the pulleys failed, wouldn't that be the mechanics fault?
2007-03-18 01:32:14 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No, the mechanic is not liable unless you asked them to replace all related parts. If the tensioner was working when they disassembled, why would they need to replace it. Things like this do happen, it is not the mechanics fault. If they told you to play it safe and replace every part under the hood. Would you say OK, and pay the extra $1000. The tensioned has no wear indicator to tell them how much time is left in that part. Now brake pads have a wear indicator to do just that, but not a tensioner. If the mechanic recomended to you, lets replace the tensioner because it may go bad sometime down the road, or said it may last 2 weeks or 2 months or 2 years and the extra cost is $100, then it is up to you to make that decision, not the mechanic.
hope this made sense.....good luck...
2007-03-18 03:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by mailbox1024 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
You may have a case if the BOTTOM pulley failed shortly after the belt kit was fitted because this has to be removed to get the belt off and the case may be that it wasn't refitted properly, but otherwise you have not got a leg to stand on.
Geordie
2007-03-19 03:04:24 · answer #2 · answered by Grizz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it wouldn't. You asked him to replace the belt & tensioner, that's exactly what he did.
IF he noticed the pulleys were becoming worn he might have suggested changing them at the same time, but if they weren't how would he know what's to come? Would you expect to blame him if your engine was worn out in about 200,000 miles time?
2007-03-18 02:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by champer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you should have said to the mechanic is. "Replace the timing belt and tensioner and replace the pulleys while you about it." They are only obligated to do what you ask and cannot be held responsible for contingent liability.
2007-03-18 01:39:56 · answer #4 · answered by ANF 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
sadly you have no recourse, i once payed a mechanic to fix my truck, after £900.00 of repairs i asked for a pre mot and he informed me the chassis was rotten and the vehicle was to dangerous to drive, he clearly knew this while carrying out the repairs, however i stopped using his garage for fuel for my company resulting in about £20k in lost sales for him over 3 years, learnt how to weld and am know alot better than him at working on chassis, proof is my tipping vauxhall brava which i made, i would say his £900 has cost him about £80k in ten years, oooops lol
2007-03-18 11:42:11 · answer #5 · answered by orfeo_fp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the pulleys were good when the mech.worked on the car,and then they went bad,its not the mech.fault.how would he know they were going to go bad?
2007-03-18 05:11:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, it would not be the mechanics fault..... how can a mechanic or anyone else predict the future... sheeeezz...exactly how soon after you eat, will you need to have a dump?
2007-03-18 01:42:42 · answer #7 · answered by wolfwagon2002 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My batteries in my crystal ball died.
2007-03-18 02:01:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ironball 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
then you would be yelling that he replaced things not needed.
2007-03-18 02:51:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋