possible poor garage repair
Discussion
Looking for some advice here chaps
Around 20 months ago our daughters car failed the MOT on a few things, one being some rust on the sill.
Our local garage got the job of repairing it before re test. Its a small independent garage.
Anyway, 20 months later and as part of a service and inspection we get a call from the garage (a different garage as we have moved house since) who have unearthed a problem. Basically the rusty sill was back with a vengence and the 'repaired area' was a section of metal welded over and all of the rusty stuff was not removed. Over the months it has rotted away underneath and its at a point where the whole sill needs repalcing - more than the cars worth.
Where do I stand? Can I get any comeback with the original garage? or is it pushing it trying to prove neglegence after so long?
Any legal help/ advice greatly appreciated
Around 20 months ago our daughters car failed the MOT on a few things, one being some rust on the sill.
Our local garage got the job of repairing it before re test. Its a small independent garage.
Anyway, 20 months later and as part of a service and inspection we get a call from the garage (a different garage as we have moved house since) who have unearthed a problem. Basically the rusty sill was back with a vengence and the 'repaired area' was a section of metal welded over and all of the rusty stuff was not removed. Over the months it has rotted away underneath and its at a point where the whole sill needs repalcing - more than the cars worth.
Where do I stand? Can I get any comeback with the original garage? or is it pushing it trying to prove neglegence after so long?
Any legal help/ advice greatly appreciated
Its not a poor garage repair, its just what you paid for.
Like you have said, the car isn't worth how much it would cost for the work to be done properly. Hence why you probably paid in the region of 60-100 pounds for the 'rust repair' to be done. Also commonly known as an MOT patch.
Either pay for the work to be done on the car, scrap it, or get them to take off the 'repair panel' and weld another 'repair panel' over the top of the now bigger hole.
Like you have said, the car isn't worth how much it would cost for the work to be done properly. Hence why you probably paid in the region of 60-100 pounds for the 'rust repair' to be done. Also commonly known as an MOT patch.
Either pay for the work to be done on the car, scrap it, or get them to take off the 'repair panel' and weld another 'repair panel' over the top of the now bigger hole.
Thanks for the replies
The car will be replaced and its not the money to do so thats the problem. It was more the question of can you have any comeback to a garage for a welding repair (regardless of the cost) after 20 months after it has being found it was a bodge rather than a cut out and weld in new (what I paid for and written on the receipt)
Cheers
The car will be replaced and its not the money to do so thats the problem. It was more the question of can you have any comeback to a garage for a welding repair (regardless of the cost) after 20 months after it has being found it was a bodge rather than a cut out and weld in new (what I paid for and written on the receipt)
Cheers
scott15 said:
Its not a poor garage repair, its just what you paid for
This.If the sill needed welding 2yrs ago, then it needed proper investigation and probably replacing back then. By the time the rot's come out of the outer, the inner sections (yes, plural) are probably utterly fubar.
"MOT standard" welding is to slap a plate over the hole. Proper structural repair is much more invasive, time-consuming, skilled and expensive.
So how much was the welding last time?
If the sill is corroded through in one area then its likely other areas will come out in sympathy later. Cure is to remove & replace the whole sill - plus any other related bits & that's likely to be a lot more due to the work involved.
Plating over is a standard way of covering up small areas. I don't consider it good practice, but its cheap & quick & will usually get through the MOT. I do prefer to cut sections out & let in a new piece but I am working on our own cars so the cost is mainly just my time & if it transpires that the whole section needs replacing I can do it without worrying about the cost.
If it was plated to pass an MOT & passed 20 months ago - & unless its been off the road it should have passed another one 8 months ago - I can't see you getting anywhere with the original repairer.
Plating over is a standard way of covering up small areas. I don't consider it good practice, but its cheap & quick & will usually get through the MOT. I do prefer to cut sections out & let in a new piece but I am working on our own cars so the cost is mainly just my time & if it transpires that the whole section needs replacing I can do it without worrying about the cost.
If it was plated to pass an MOT & passed 20 months ago - & unless its been off the road it should have passed another one 8 months ago - I can't see you getting anywhere with the original repairer.
Edited by paintman on Saturday 27th September 19:14
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