garage scratched and dented my Morris Minor

[the-hippo0]

hi,
my car broke down 3 weeks ago and the AA took me to the garage to get the repairs done, the car was checked on drop off by me and the verry nice AA man, not the garage,

i got later a quote from the garage and got them to do the work, after a week i went to the garage to see how they were getting on and noticed a 2ft dent and scratch along the wheel arch,

i have since talked to the manager and they are denying all knowlage of it....

i am due to pick the car up today and was wondering where i stand legaly with this situation.... any help would be appreciated.

[mike.perry]

Can you trace the AA man? If so then you have a witness to the condition of your car.

[the-hippo0]

should be able to thanks, but should i pay him for the work he has done, as he has my car under ransom at the moment....

[chrisryder]

as soon as you take the car out of his workshop, he'll say that you dented it after it left. leave it there until it's resolved. suggest that you'll pay for the work he's done once he's repaired/paid for the repairs.

[bmcecosse]

Take pictures NOW - tell him you are going to Citizens Advice and/or Lawyer to see about Small Claims Court. What work did he carry out for you, and what is he charging you for the work? Has it been done to a satisfactory standard?? He will of course now be charging you for storage of your car - probably at some fantastic daily (maybe even hourly!) rate. May be best to take pics - include front page of today's paper so they are 'date stamped' - and then pay up and take the car away - go after him in Small Claims Court for the cost of the dent repairs. And do please tell us the name of this wonderful Minor-Friendly garage.

[d_harris]

Theres someone going through something very similar on the moneysavingexpert forum at the moment....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ?t=3029468

[RobMoore]

Theres someone going through something very similar on the moneysavingexpert forum at the moment....

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ?t=3029468

Same chap

[d_harris]

oooh, I got the wrong thread. There was one with a skoda...

Edit: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/sho ... ?t=3024888

[rayofleamington]

I've had a similar experience, but the garage who dented my car was very crafty and managed to get it covered in dirt. They applolgised for not washing it and said they thought I wasn't due until later (I was already an hour later than I said...)
I washed the car the next day and found the dents - I was absolutely distraught, and by that time there was nothing I could do about it.

Personally having been dreadfully treated by 2 garages I would now refuse to collect the car, and go straight for a laywer if it happens again. Anyone can make a mistake but lying about it or trying to con someone is just not right.
When I make mistakes I own up - sometimes this has cost me a lot of money, but there's more to life than money.