Was mulling this over today? IF horror sturck and I had a problem with my new setup that ONLY a dealer could fix directly, could they keep my car due to "other" fault codes on the ECU that I knew were "ok" yet would take LOTS of time and money to sort out 100%? Basically would they try and pull a "you're car isn't roadworthy and we're not letting you have it back until its fixed!" trick?

I can't help thinking they couldn't do a thing like this. Is there an easy way around it? Do I say I know about X, Y & Z on this car! I ONLY want you to fix X on it (e.g engine not boosting for example), leave Y and Z the f*** alone! (other fault codes that exist)

The other horror story is when I say the above, they say the problems with Y and Z means they refuse to touch problem X.... Wouldn't like that ONE bit. :(

Surely in reality, they are a garage there to fix what I want them to fix, and if I tell them not to touch other problems, they'll do just that.

The car is allways yours, you have a right to take it when ever you like.

And they should only fix what you ask them to and is written on the job card which you will sign. Any extra work they have to get your approval first.

My mind going off to places strange again when I'm stuck in traffic on my route home.

Let them try it and you could sue there asses. They could possibly refuse to fix X if the fault is inconjunction with Y, but i would not see them keeping your car.

Paul

As far as I'm aware the only time a dealer can legitimately keep hold of your car is if you owe them money for work carried out and/or parts supplied/fitted.

And even that is dodgy ground as it still remains your property.

:iagree:

this is what i was told by trading standards/CAB when i had my gearbox woes

If your car was unsafe and they tell you so, listen to them, could have spotted something serious. But, no I doubt they could keep your car.

If you go in with problem X, then they may say that all of A and B and C and D and E.............and W need to be checked/fixed before they can fix problem X, which you originally wanted fixing. I can understand this, because if they charge you for just fixing problem X and then you find out it's not fixed, then they will look incompetent and you'll be brassed off. I guess you are in the hands of the Gods a bit. I assume Skoda diagnostics has a procedure to follow for each fault logged, therefore they should be able to estimate the time and costs associated with the work reasonably accurately.

As for keeping your car from you, I very much doubt whether they would want to enter that particular minefield, although inevitably the dimwits amongst them may try this on.

Do you mean that it might be like opening a can of worms !!!!

Do you mean that it might be like opening a can of worms !!!!

It may be better to measure Jason's power in BWP (brake worm power!) at the moment!

And even that is dodgy ground as it still remains your property.

True it is dodgy but you have to pay the dealer whether on not the job is satisfactory then take it up afterwards. I guess that if you hadn't/would pay your bills, then the garage would be seen to be acting fairly in holding the car.

If any garage tried keeping a car of mine it would be reported as stolen ASAP. That would get it returned pretty quick...

And could also see you in trouble for filing a false report. They would not have stolen your car, just denied you access to it which is upon their property.

As for keeping the car, if there is no money outstanding then they wont keep hold of it