car repai dispute

[macgee]

A local repair shop drove my car back to his workshop to solve overheating prob. He was supposed to inform me of any new parts. He took head off and replaced gasket replaced it and fitted new rad and belts then found it wouldnt work. He did not inform me of thiese parts.He then took head off again and found a major fault which he missed first time and in essense wrote the car unrapairable. He is claimimg all the labour and parts and while in dispute he is charging me storage. I have offered to pay the original estimate of £700 but now he wants over £1700 and wont release the car. He says he is putting the in the hands of a debt collector.
I'm worried sick , what can I do? Any suggestions I'd be grateful.

[TWR]

Have you anything in writing? If he has diagnosed that the Head Gasket has gone then the head has to be removed & if he had any sense the head should have been skimmed! was this done? He / she should have informed you to what new parts he / she would need, you say he missed a major fault? Have you got proof of that? if so talk to him / her first if no joy, a solicitors letter.