Car Repairs - What’s The Damage?
Saturday 13 December 2008
Many of us depend on our cars to get about but Consumer Council research shows that many of us don’t feel confident when it comes to getting them repaired or serviced. Here are the Consumer Council’s top tips to making sure you don’t get taken for a ride.
Choosing a garage:
- You don’t have to go to the garage you bought your car from to keep the Manufacturer’s Warranty intact – you can use any VAT registered garage that will do the service according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Costs can vary between garages. Our snapshot survey showed that hourly labour rates can vary by as much as £50[1] Shop around a number of garages before deciding where to leave your car in.
Before you leave your car:
- Take out all your personal items;
- Double check how much the work will cost and confirm that they will get your agreement before doing any additional work.
When you collect your car:
- Make sure you get an itemised bill or receipt and go through it with the mechanic.
- If you are not happy with either the work done on your car or the bill, make your complaint straight away so the garage has the chance to put things right.
- If you are unhappy with the service but have to pay the bill to get your car back write ‘paid under protest’ on the bill so that you have a record that you registered your complaint before settling the bill.
‘What’s the Damage? The Consumer Council’s guide to choosing and using a garage’ is full of advice and tips on how to choose the right garage, which questions to ask and how to deal with any problems. Copies of the guide are available from www.consumercouncil.org.uk or by phoning 028 9067 2488.
Complaints
If you need more advice about a specific problem you have with your garage contact Consumerline on 0845 600 62 62 or 028 9025 3900 or visit www.consumerline.org .
[1]What’s the damage? A Consumer Council research report on consumers views of the car repair and servicing industry, The Consumer Council, December 2008
