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[oredona]

One moning, i was trying to connect my car radio and then i realised the Lights were getting weak, so i decided to start the car and charge my battery but my car wouldn't star, i tried all i could, but no way.

So i took the car to a garage and i told him to code read the fault and let me know what the problem is, he agreed but 5 hours later, i called to know what or if he has found any fault, to my suprise, he said the car was ready and my bill was £891.

I was shocked and asked him how come, he started listing things he bought and did in my car, i refused to pay because i did not ask him to carry out any work without my permission but he wouldn't release my car untill i pay this money.

I demand for an invoice, he said he is not obliged to give me an invoice. So iwent home and i was told to pay him the money under protest and take the case to court."Small claims"

This was the invoice he sent me after i have paid him all the money.

INVOICE

1. TO CHARGE BATTERY
2. TO CODE READ VEHICLE : NO FAULTS FOUND
3. TO TEST WIRING TO ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH BREAK OUT BOX: all Systerms ok
4. TO TEST FOR KVs AND FUEL PRESURE: NO FUEL PRESURE
5. TO TEST FOR POWER TO FUEL PUMP: NO POWER
6. TO TEST WIRING BACK TO ON FUEL PUMP RELAY : NO SIGNAL TO FUEL PUMP RELAY
7. TO TRACE FAULT TO BAD CONNECTION ON FUEL PUMP RELAY BLOCK: CARRY OUT REPAIR
8. POWER NOW TO FUEL PUMP: NO FUEL PRESURE.
9. DRAIN  LITRES OF FUEL FROM PETRON TANK AND SPEND TIME REMOVING FUEL PUMP CEILING RING FROM RUSTED FITTINGS, CUT RUSTED CLIPS FROM FUEL PIPES AND REMOVE FUEL PUMP.
10. TO TEST FUEL PUMP: FOUND TO BE UNSERVICABLE
11. SUPPLY AND FIT NEW FUEL PUMP WITH CLIPS + MODIFIED WIRING. CAR NOW STARTS BUT WILL NOT TICK OVER- RUNS WITH AIR LEAK AND MISFIRE.
12. CHECK ENGINE FOR LEAKS; RE_CONNECT 3 VACCUM PIPES THAT WERE DISCONNECTED
13. START CAR; CAR NOW TICKS OVER - NO AIR LEAK BUT HAS A MISFIRE AND ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT IS ON.
14. CODE READ VEHICLE: FAULT INTERMITTENT TDC SENSOR SIGNAL
15. CHECK TDC SENSOR WHICH WAS LOOSE; RE-FITTED TDC CORRECTLY AND WIRING. CAR NOW RUNS AND NO ENGINE MANAGEMENT LIGHT IS ON.

PARTS:

FUEL PUMP                £151.00
Clips                            £2.00
Sundries                       £5.00
Charge Battery            £15.00
2x code read               £95.00
Labour                       £491.00
VAT                           £132.00

TOTAL                       £891.83

I am preparing my case, i took the car to different garages and they confirm that the fuel pump was not changed and there is no reason why he would modify the wiring if he claims he bought the fuel pump from Vauxhaul directly.

As i said, i took the car to 5 garages, and also to Vauxhaul, they all gave me a report and took pictures last week.

Please, i want you to look at the invoice above , tell me anything you see wrong, give  me points that i would use against this man in courts because people like this spoil the good name of hardworking mechanics out there.

You can send me private messages if possible.
Thansks

[Lazydocker]

My tip was going to be: Don't eat yellow snow!

But seriously...

Have you got written reports from the other garages? This "Mechanic" has stolen from you. I would be reporting him to the police in addition to claiming a full refund!

The invoice proves that he has charged you for work which wasn't required because he has stated there were no fault codes!

[Kevin Wood]

He's taking the p*ss big time. Sounds like you have a good case against him though. That's an expensive jump start.

Kevin

[Jimbob]

Think the best tip here....is get a different mechanic!
daylight robbery!

Also cost about what the car is worth!

[Lazydocker]

Even his invoice is wrong... VAT isn't a round figure!

Has the invoice got a VAT registration number on it?

There has been a serious crime committed here... Get the police involved ASAP! How long ago did this occur?

[MickAP]

£98 per hour labour, err no way.


Mick

[Entwood]

Contact Trading Standards ASAP ..

[beemerdevil]

definately get the ole bill involved..........or go to citizens advice or a solicitor.......................this guy has robbed you and acted illegally - BUT....you shouldnt have parted with any money mate - sorry..................but DONT LET IT GO.............. or, ring Trading Standards - best of luck  - HTH  

[Danny]

claim for EVERYTHING!! claim for the 5 hours inconvenience and charge him £150 an hour for that!!

then burn his garage down!!

[mv6copcar]

claim for EVERYTHING!! claim for the 5 hours inconvenience and charge him £150 an hour for that!!

then burn his garage down!!

that's not what i would do at all...  

Good luck mate. You have a good case there

[Proz]

Thats unbelivable   ... as stated above get trading standards / consumer direct involved asap .

Hope you get your money back  

[Richard A]

So no other OOF member falls for the scam name and shame.
Maybe get your money back first, but up to you.
regards
richard a
P.S. or maybe the reverse, we ALL book our Omegas in for work  

[oredona]

i have contacted the Trading Standards, they told that i have a good case, the fact that he has carried out an alleged Unauthorised work is onething, 5 Engineers reports including from vauxhaul is  also a plus for me and i took all the pictures. Actually, he felt if he told me, i would just pay and no complain.

Though i paid him the money "Under protest" and collected my car but he has implicated himself because he said he bought the fuel pump from Vauxhaul and had to spend hours modifying the wires and and also modifying crankschaft sensor cable.

How can i upload these pictures for you to see?

Thanks everybody.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Host them on a site like photobucket and post the links on here.

So....thats THE most expensive crank sensor fix I have ever seen

[MutantCav]

More than likely the only actual fault if the car wasnt starting was the crank sensor...this will most likely be why the car wouldnt start...when you claim you want to be also claiming for a garage to put your car back to standard...there would be absolutely no need to change any wiring at all to fit standard Vauxhall parts to your standard Vauxhall Omega...and as said, price for labour is extortionate, more than Vauxhall themselves charge, and cost of checking codes...ahem, stick a paperclip in (or I suppose you could use a machine lol but still the same) and see what codes come up...with no codes approximate time 2 mins absolute maximum...at £45 a time??!!!  

But ultimately you didnt ask for work to be done and certainly even if you had asked him to check it out £900 worth of work would require further authorisation!!