Exhaust repair specialist removes my cat without asking...
Discussion
.............and disposes of it.
I'm fuming.
The Supra's exhaust had gone between the downpipe and flange, rusted through.
I took the car to this American exhaust specialist in Basildon, and explained that it needed welding back. Behind the flange was the catalyst and rest of the system which is o.k.
He stated that he would put a replacement bit of pipe in, which I said was o.k.
Collected the car, paid £60 cash in hand!!and took the car away.
When I checked afterwards I noticed my cat had gone...completely.
I called back and the guy stated that because the car was pre-1993 it probably didn't need it anyway.
I stated that as far as I was aware it was August 1992.
I checked with VOSA (who were extremely helpful) that the rules were 1992.
I called the garage back, he wasn't aware that the rules were 1992!
I told him I spoke to VOSA, and he said who was It I had spoken to, "an MOT station."
I explained to him who VOSA was.
He refused to fit a new catalyst, which was perfect when he removed it.
He has refused to pay for a new cat and also refused to refund my £60.
He said that he said what he was going to do, (he did not say he was going to remove the cat). When I picked the car up he didn't state that he had removed the cat.
Upon speaking to him he didn't even know the emission regs dates.
He said for me to put it in for an MOT as it would probably pass anyway.
It is bloody annoying that these places are allowed to operate in this way.
It has left me in a position now where I now probably need a new cat, because he removed it (and he probably got a few quid from the scrappy for it aswell).
I know of the naming and shaming policy, so I won't name, but I just wanted people to be vigilant when they are having this type of work done.
Edited for spelling
I'm fuming.
The Supra's exhaust had gone between the downpipe and flange, rusted through.
I took the car to this American exhaust specialist in Basildon, and explained that it needed welding back. Behind the flange was the catalyst and rest of the system which is o.k.
He stated that he would put a replacement bit of pipe in, which I said was o.k.
Collected the car, paid £60 cash in hand!!and took the car away.
When I checked afterwards I noticed my cat had gone...completely.
I called back and the guy stated that because the car was pre-1993 it probably didn't need it anyway.
I stated that as far as I was aware it was August 1992.
I checked with VOSA (who were extremely helpful) that the rules were 1992.
I called the garage back, he wasn't aware that the rules were 1992!
I told him I spoke to VOSA, and he said who was It I had spoken to, "an MOT station."
I explained to him who VOSA was.
He refused to fit a new catalyst, which was perfect when he removed it.
He has refused to pay for a new cat and also refused to refund my £60.
He said that he said what he was going to do, (he did not say he was going to remove the cat). When I picked the car up he didn't state that he had removed the cat.
Upon speaking to him he didn't even know the emission regs dates.
He said for me to put it in for an MOT as it would probably pass anyway.
It is bloody annoying that these places are allowed to operate in this way.
It has left me in a position now where I now probably need a new cat, because he removed it (and he probably got a few quid from the scrappy for it aswell).
I know of the naming and shaming policy, so I won't name, but I just wanted people to be vigilant when they are having this type of work done.
Edited for spelling
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th May 23:10
This guy stated catagorically that there was no was he was paying for a new cat or was going to refund my £60.
I still don't know what is best to do as I do not want to cross this guy.
After I spoke to him, I spoke to Trading Standards, they said quote the Sale of Goods & Services 1982 act to him, but I don't think he would budge on it. He spoke with me at length and eventually said he could see he wasn't getting anywhere with me with the conversation so virtually ended the call.
Bloody annoying as he says he's been doing this for 15 years, obviously not that meticulously as he doesn't know the emission rules.
When I told him about emissions he said "well you have gone to the top people (meaning VOSA) and said I wouldn't have a problem getting it MOT'd as he had removed a load of cats."
It is going to be too much hassle courts etc to get this muppet to do any further work on my car or to pay me costs incurred. It can cause more problems in the long run.
I just wanted to warn people of some of these so called specialists. You get what you pay for I'm afraid. £60 for a person who is basically a welder who doesn't know current vehicle emission regs.
I still don't know what is best to do as I do not want to cross this guy.
After I spoke to him, I spoke to Trading Standards, they said quote the Sale of Goods & Services 1982 act to him, but I don't think he would budge on it. He spoke with me at length and eventually said he could see he wasn't getting anywhere with me with the conversation so virtually ended the call.
Bloody annoying as he says he's been doing this for 15 years, obviously not that meticulously as he doesn't know the emission rules.
When I told him about emissions he said "well you have gone to the top people (meaning VOSA) and said I wouldn't have a problem getting it MOT'd as he had removed a load of cats."
It is going to be too much hassle courts etc to get this muppet to do any further work on my car or to pay me costs incurred. It can cause more problems in the long run.
I just wanted to warn people of some of these so called specialists. You get what you pay for I'm afraid. £60 for a person who is basically a welder who doesn't know current vehicle emission regs.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th May 23:11
I never knew it was a cash in hand job when I had it done.
When I got there he just said £60 to weld it. I never asked if there were any discounts for cash. I was under the impression it was a professional outfit supported by many American car owners.
I was going to pay by card, but also had cash on me. Being a reasonably small amount I said "is cash o.k" and he said yes £60 was for cash and didn't give an invoice.
Proving he did the work may be difficult without an invoice.
I am going to see if I can get the car in for an emissions check to see how it stands with that.
When I got there he just said £60 to weld it. I never asked if there were any discounts for cash. I was under the impression it was a professional outfit supported by many American car owners.
I was going to pay by card, but also had cash on me. Being a reasonably small amount I said "is cash o.k" and he said yes £60 was for cash and didn't give an invoice.
Proving he did the work may be difficult without an invoice.
I am going to see if I can get the car in for an emissions check to see how it stands with that.
Well I wasn't aware when I booked it in it was a cash in hand job.
Which under the financial crime laws this is seen as tax evasion.
When he didn't give a receipt I didn't think of asking for one because, for the simple reason it was only a welding job.
What kind of errors can someone make welding two bits of pipe together!!
Any F
kwit could do it with the proper equipment.
Besides they were formerly set up by a well renowned custom car shop and are part of a large American car parts network.
I didn't feel easy giving money, knowing of the financial crime rule, I was going to pay by card. I was in a hurry and didn't check the work as I left. It was only when I got home that I noticed the cat had gone.
I cannot get legal recourse from him, but the points I am making are:
1) I told the welder where the pipe had gone and showed him, I said that it needed a new flange welded on, he looked under the car and said yeah we'll put in a new bit of pipe. At no point did I ask for the catalyst to be removed and at no point did he state he was going to remove the catalyst.
I told him that a new flange needed to be welded on.
2) He originally quoted me £60, I did not ask a discount for cash so assumed it was all above board. It was only when I paid, being a low amount I said by cash be ok, he said "£60 is for a cash job."
3) When I realised the catalyst had gone I called and questioned him on it. He had done the work the previous day, and I had collected the car prior to 10am the next day. He said the catalyst had gone to the scrapman and he had told me he had told me he was going to remove the cat. Which he never did!!
4) I questioned the legality of it and he said prior to 1993 it was o.k. This was untrue as it was 1 August 1992 that the regs came in. I double checked with VOSA and they confirmed this. He admitted he did not know the date but it should be o.k as he removes lots of cats!!
5) I told him I spoke to VOSA, he said "who was it I spoke to an MOT station." I had to explain who VOSA were!! He said that I had gone to the top people and what did I expect, this is what they would say!!
This was the manager btw!!
So before anyone blames me for paying for a cash in hand job and what do you expect.
I never asked for cash in hand.
I never told him to remove the catalyst.
I told him what needed doing.
Anyway I am warning people to be extra wary. It may be a genuine mistake, but he did not make clear what he was going to be doing.
Which under the financial crime laws this is seen as tax evasion.
When he didn't give a receipt I didn't think of asking for one because, for the simple reason it was only a welding job.
What kind of errors can someone make welding two bits of pipe together!!
Any F
kwit could do it with the proper equipment.Besides they were formerly set up by a well renowned custom car shop and are part of a large American car parts network.
I didn't feel easy giving money, knowing of the financial crime rule, I was going to pay by card. I was in a hurry and didn't check the work as I left. It was only when I got home that I noticed the cat had gone.
I cannot get legal recourse from him, but the points I am making are:
1) I told the welder where the pipe had gone and showed him, I said that it needed a new flange welded on, he looked under the car and said yeah we'll put in a new bit of pipe. At no point did I ask for the catalyst to be removed and at no point did he state he was going to remove the catalyst.
I told him that a new flange needed to be welded on.
2) He originally quoted me £60, I did not ask a discount for cash so assumed it was all above board. It was only when I paid, being a low amount I said by cash be ok, he said "£60 is for a cash job."
3) When I realised the catalyst had gone I called and questioned him on it. He had done the work the previous day, and I had collected the car prior to 10am the next day. He said the catalyst had gone to the scrapman and he had told me he had told me he was going to remove the cat. Which he never did!!
4) I questioned the legality of it and he said prior to 1993 it was o.k. This was untrue as it was 1 August 1992 that the regs came in. I double checked with VOSA and they confirmed this. He admitted he did not know the date but it should be o.k as he removes lots of cats!!
5) I told him I spoke to VOSA, he said "who was it I spoke to an MOT station." I had to explain who VOSA were!! He said that I had gone to the top people and what did I expect, this is what they would say!!
This was the manager btw!!
So before anyone blames me for paying for a cash in hand job and what do you expect.
I never asked for cash in hand.
I never told him to remove the catalyst.
I told him what needed doing.
Anyway I am warning people to be extra wary. It may be a genuine mistake, but he did not make clear what he was going to be doing.
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