D M Keith (Huddersfield) Killed my Fabia

[carrie_d]

2 Years ago i bought a skoda fabia from d m keith hudds, Its a 54 plate and had only 13,000 on the clock, i paid £5,450, know it was a bit over the odss but thought i had a good car as mileage was low.

4 weeks ago i lost power and had it taken to where i bought it for repairs, they said the head gasket had blown but said as it was low mileage they would see if skoda would authorise free repairs, they did and i thought that was good of them, so the nightmare began...They phoned 2 weeks later and said that they had fixed it, but when they out it back together and tested it they said valve number 3 was found to be faulty, then they said that when they took it apart again the bolts had stretched???? so now i am in the situation of having a new engine block fitted...So i now have to oay a £400+ bill.. I know its cheap but after being led to believe that i would not have to pay, I now have to pay part of the cost, this is after i argued with the service manager saying that they caused the fault on the block,,,he then said that the bolts that skoda supply are rubbish and not designed to be taken on and off!!!! Anyone else been treated like this??? Have to say that when i do get the car back im getting rid straight away and buying a totally different make of car.

[Willsvrs]

If I understand you correctly, are you saying that they re-used the same head bolts after fitting the head gasket?

Well that's bleedin daft for starters! You should never re-use head bolts when reassembling the head for the reason that they become stretched and you risk snapping them in the block when tightening / torquing them up! Surely the dealer should now this!

[Kablam]

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Five consumer laws you really ought to know <--- I don't know if this article will be of any use to you, a long read but does cover the supply of goods and services act which I believe is applicable here.

[carrie_d]

Thanks for the replies, I have argued till im blue in the face with them, that its not ok to make me pay for something that they damaged! But they just talk down to me as im a woman, my uncle even got onto them today (hes a mechanic) and they still won't budge, I need my car as im a nurse and work long shifts..But i am truly gutted by what they have done..

[Kablam]

Pay for it then take them to a small claims court?

[Ecomatt]

Yes, I would pay for it and get them to list down all the parts they used and the time taken. Take them to a small claims court and get your rmoney back. If you speak to the citizens advice bureau, they will help you.

Once at court you can ask the question 'Why (as Skoda authorised the work to be done for free) did the garage not use new head bolts and re use the old ones?"

Also if skoda did not authorise any other parts to be used other than the defective part. "Why didnt the garage inform you that the car would need new head bolts at a cost to you?" This could have avoided the postion you are in. Either way the garage is at fault and I would not let them get away with it. The garage will have to answer these questions and if they cannot give a good enough reason. They will most likely be held liable for the damage and pay your costs plus the costs of the courts time.

Did you sign a work sheet with the work they were going to do and the parts outlayed etc before they carried out the 'repair'? As most garages get you to sign a sheet authorising them to work on your vehicle and it should say what the work is and what parts they are going to fit. It might be worth obtaining a copy of that as evidence.

[EddyH]

Have you tried going to Skoda HQ with this since they are the ones that agreed to pay?