Garage Problems

[sophie_1003]

I took my car to the garage for an MOT last Wednesday (the garage take it to the MOT centre then carry out necessary repairs) and they are still replacing stuff because of problems with the emissions. The last time I took it to them they also had it for a long time and it ended up costing me a lot of money; however, the work they did on it was a big and expensive job so I thought it was justifiable. I have used them before with my old car and never had any problems but am wondering what I should do now this is the secnd time they've had my new car for what seems to be a long time for the problem.
Do I just let them finish then never use them again or pay them for the work done so far and take it somewhere else?

[R1Geezer]

are they fixing the same things as they fixed last time?

[sophie_1003]

No, last time was head gasket.

[tamborine]

Ask them what for a cost estimate, if its too dear remove your car & go elsewhere

[sophie_1003]

But I would still have to pay them for the work done so far would I not?

[chas2008]

what vehicle is it ? vauxhall by any chance ?

[sophie_1003]

ford fiesta

[AlBags]

Hi Soph ..
What model and engine size?

[sophie_1003]

zetec, 02 plate and 1.4 I do believe.

[AlBags]

You should get a copy of the MOT fail sheet to 'peruse'
They waiting for/replacing the CAT? .. or injection/electronic parts?
How many miles it done approx?

[AlBags]

Over one week for a Fiesta MOT (with repair) is unreasonable.
Ask for a work requirement detail and ask what parts they are waiting for.

[sophie_1003]

Yes will definitely get a copy of the MOT fail sheet, not quite sure of what they're doing now, have handed responsibility of correspondence over to my dad! Also not sure of mileage, would have to dig out old MOT certificate.

[karenmac60]

Sophie, whatever you do about it this time round - next time put the car in a week before your MOT is due up. Then you can take it away while they order up any parts so you still get use of your car. My garage always recommends this route and I've never been without the car for any longer than a few hours on 2 separate days.

[AlBags]

You need to get dad to nag them .. That is really too long for a Fiesta MOT .. with what I suspect they 'might' need to replace on an 02 plate 1.4.

[sophie_1003]

Don't worry karen, won't be taking it down their again anyway but that is a good tip, will make sure to do that next time, am v unorganised with things like this!
Tell me bout it Albags! He has said several times to the bloke that they've had it a long time but think the bloke just tries to laugh it off as my dad's also used the same garage for years. I don;t mind complaining about stuff when I know what I'm on about but with cars I'm pretty clueless, am thinking it would be a good idea to do a mechanics course!

[sophie_1003]

Still no sign of having car back, the fuel pressure is too high so they are trying to work out what the problem is and I have to ring back this afternoon.
Am at a loss of what to do because as it stands he is paying for the extra MOT that it will now need which at least saves me the extra cost of that but if he is ripping me off in cost as well as the time he's taking would I be better off taking it to someone else? Arrrgghhh!

[gingejbee]

sophie: the way you are having your MOT done (garage, MOT centre, garage) COULD be an invitation to be ripped-off. I take mine directly to an MOT centre and , if there were to be a fail- which there hasn't , yet - I would have a copy of the fail points and would be able to phone a few garages to get quotes for the work. At present, you seem to be giving your garage a "blank cheque" to do whatever work THEY want to do. This may not help this time, but think about this next time.

[sophie_1003]

Yeah, won't be doing it this way again gingejbee; just at a loss of what to do this time really!

[AlBags]

Heard anything yet?
That could only be the regulator on the fuel rail, I would have thought, or some return line blocked.
I'd be at the breakers for that bit .. or IntaPart in Daventry (you go past there I think)

[sophie_1003]

Yeah got it back now, catalytic convertor needed replacing, amongst other things! Won't be taking it there again though, they had it for a week and 2 days in the end!

[AlBags]

Funny changing that for a fuel pressure problem .. although I suspect that was what it said when the ECU was read on a machine.
Anything else happens .. hit me up first! : )
Al.