As some people may be aware, I had my failing DMF replaced in May last year with a single flywheel kit from Darkside Developments of Barnsley. As I live in Kent I managed to find a local(ish) garage to fit the new kit.

After a couple of months, I realised that all was far from well, with lots of cluch slipping and loud noises/heavy clutch pedal/vibration, and my attempts at getting any constructive help from the garage were met with very negative comments.

So, before Christmas I booked in the car with DS Devpts. for an inspection and possible change.

I went up there on Friday (set off at 0420,free Dartford tunnel, little traffic) and they set about looking at the vehicle.

I should point out, that all through this process, I have been dealing with Scott from Darkside and he has always been patient and helpful.

They started on the car around 0830 and then gave me a call around 1130 to say that the job was finished.

I picked the car up, and because of what I had been through was apprehensive, but all was good, and the car drives like a new vehicle, lovely light clutch pedal, no vibration, and no slipping! The car is noticeably much quieter and smoother and of course more relaxing to drive.

There is of course a downside to this, and it concerns the work carried out by the local firm who fitted the kit. I am not going to go into any detail on here for obvious reasons, but whilst I was there photos were taken and saved and certain parts kept for evidence. I would appreciate it if someone could give me some advice as where to go now, because I am not happy about several issues concerning the work carried out by the local firm who fitted the kit.

Cheers,

Andy

Try citizens advice bureau. I would have thought you could argue that it wasn't fit for purpose.

Try citizens advice bureau. I would have thought you could argue that it wasn't fit for purpose.

I think that is going to be my first call tomorrow morning.

Good luck let us know how you get on

did you get a invoice from the local(ish) garage or was it a cash job on the side?

Trading standards would be a start.

did you get a invoice from the local(ish) garage or was it a cash job on the side?

All invoiced and I have the part in my grubby hands (not right at the moment, because I am about to turn in , and the missus would be a bit alarmed to say the least, if I came to bed with a clutch part in my hands - even after she has read "Fifty shades of grey")

Trading standards would be a start.

Yep, will be going down that avenue as well.

Have you spoken to the garage concerned? That would seem like the first thing to do. They may be very apologetic and offer recompense.

Should it ever come to litigation, because they told you f-o, and stay f'ed-o, it will look better that you have at least tried.

The small claims court was established just for dispute like yours. But be prepared and do your homework first.

Have you spoken to the garage concerned? That would seem like the first thing to do. They may be very apologetic and offer recompense.

Should it ever come to litigation, because they told you f-o, and stay f'ed-o, it will look better that you have at least tried.

The small claims court was established just for dispute like yours. But be prepared and do your homework first.

I tried to speak to the garage and arrange something last year Nick, but they went on the defensive, first of all saying that they would charge me the full price just for taking it apart, and then saying that they were not really happy to fit it (wish they had said that to me when I booked it in) from the word go. The problem with some garages, seems to be that they see fiitting a kit which the customer has supplied as some kind of "automatic get out clause" if anything should go wrong.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and if I could turn the clock back with the knowledge I have now, then I would have had the clutch fitted by Darkside up in Barnsley in the first place, even allowing for the 440 mile round trip and the fuel costs.