Getting into a fix over car repairs

IT’S not only dodgy backstreet garages guilty of shocking practices when it comes to fixing vehicles.

Mainstream car dealerships can also fail to meet the mark.

Here are some of the readers’ cases I’ve investigated and the advice I’ve given them: Rodney Hahn from Dunmow, Essex, was advised he needed a new oil pump when he put his Land Rover Discovery in for repairs.

He authorised the work and paid for what he thought was a new pump. He later discovered the garage had fitted a reconditioned pump but charged him for the price of a new one. My advice: It was agreed a new pump would be fitted and this formed part of the contract between Rodney and the garage.

The garage breached the contract. The Consumer Rights Act says goods must be as described so the reconditioned pump fell short of this. Legally, the garage is obliged to refund Rodney. the additional repairs without further permission from Michaela.

The garage can’t claim payment for the additional work/parts.

If Michaela is not prepared to pay the additional bill the garage will have to remove unauthorised parts fitted and re-install the original parts at their cost.

Julia French from Chelmsford, Essex, refused to pay a £102 repair bill as it exceeded the £89.99 estimate. The garage refused to return her Ford Focus. My advice: Generally, an estimate won’t bind the garage but it will be