Afternoon all,

as the title says!

Took car into a garage as I could hear a knocking sound (a solid sound, something with some weight behind it if that helps!) when the car suspension had to do some work on bumpy roads.

They looked at it and diagnosed it as the front wishbone bushes. Fine. They also noticed the front off-side tyre was very near the limit, which I was very surprised as they were all new last year! This they explained was a result of the tracking being out because of the worn bushes.

Ok, do the wishbones and put a new tyre on and do the tracking.

As it's due an MOT, do that as well.

They ring me this afternoon to tell me all done, car's passed no problem - great.

But then they tell me that a taxi had dented a door on the car whilst it was in their yard. The driver had admitted it, the garage had spoken to the boss of the taxi firm, he took full liability and the garage had all of the necessary details. Ok, fine.

It didn't sound major and when I get there it's not bad at all - visible, paint is chipped and scraped but shouldn't cost too much to sort.

I settled my bill, the garage were fine and upfront, and I get in the car to go and get the kids.

Hadn't gone more than 500 yds and what do I hear, yep, the knocking noise as I travel over our well maintained roads (bit of sarcasm there!!).

So I go back to the garage, workshop manager looks up and appears surprised to see me, I then explain that what they've done hasn't fixed what I brought the car in for!!

He looks stunned and a bit embarrassed!

Car is going back in 9.30 Monday for them to have another go.

Now then, after all this drivel, as the car was in the garage's care at the time, on their property, surely they are liable for negotiating with the taxi firm and sorting the damage to the car?

And what comeback do I have on the fact they haven't fixed what it went in for?

Not sure if this is in the right place, but can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks a mil,

Yep, Garage had care of your car so it will be up top them to rectify it.

Surely they are or have an approved body shop. All they need to do is quote the taxi company, and when they say yes do the job.

If not they should do the work then pursue the taxi company not you.

As for come back, none except to give them another go if the car is under warrenty. If you have paid then you could dispute the amounts etc.

I would of left the car with them, and asked them to deal with it. Ideally, you shouldn't of took the car away.

Oh dear I disagree!

I think you'll find it's not the same as if it had been damaged whilst they were driving or working on it (and even then you might ultimately have to rely on your own insurance policy and recover by suing) - check the yard for disclaimer notices.

They may wish to help, but there's no obligation.

Morning people,

thanks for the advice, had confirmed from elsewhere that the garage have discharged themselves by getting the taxi firm to admit liability and have full details of driver, owner etc. It's also been pointed out that they do not have the authority to negoitiate on my behalf, and as my standards may be different to theirs this would result in them coming back to me constantly to check even if they wanted to accept responsibility to negotiate, which they would be under no obligation to do.

Thoughts on the repairs question? Where do I stand there? Do you think I could just get away with just being charged for the parts - if needed?

ta la.

I think the labour should be severely reduced or completely free if they misdiagnosed the problem.

I guess you could ask the garage to do a skoda approved repair and get them to quote for that?