Wheel comes off on Motorway after visit to Garage
Discussion
Morning,
Looking for some advice. One of my family members took their vehicle to a well known garage - I wont name and shame at this point - and had some work done 4 days ago, including an MOT. Long story short, after around 150/200 miles of driving, one of the wheels came away exposing the drive shaft on the motorway. Luckily, no one was physically injured. Substantial damage to the car which the recovery engineer believes is the fault of the aforementioned work being done without proper care.
What would your recommendations be in terms of obtaining respite for damage from the garage and repairs? We have obtained legal advice, but would like to, in the first instance, recover financial loses etc without going down that lengthy road.
Looking for some advice. One of my family members took their vehicle to a well known garage - I wont name and shame at this point - and had some work done 4 days ago, including an MOT. Long story short, after around 150/200 miles of driving, one of the wheels came away exposing the drive shaft on the motorway. Luckily, no one was physically injured. Substantial damage to the car which the recovery engineer believes is the fault of the aforementioned work being done without proper care.
What would your recommendations be in terms of obtaining respite for damage from the garage and repairs? We have obtained legal advice, but would like to, in the first instance, recover financial loses etc without going down that lengthy road.
Have you talked to the garage? They may put their hands up and make it right immediately.
What kind of work was done to the car? Was it fairly major suspension, bearing work or something else where the whole hub would be disassembled?
I'd imagine if the garage don't immediately play ball you'll have to get a report from an independent engineer which says the fault was the result of loose bolts etc - without this you'll be stuffed. Initially you could try calling trading standards who should be very interested and will guide you through the process without getting a solicitor involved.
What kind of work was done to the car? Was it fairly major suspension, bearing work or something else where the whole hub would be disassembled?
I'd imagine if the garage don't immediately play ball you'll have to get a report from an independent engineer which says the fault was the result of loose bolts etc - without this you'll be stuffed. Initially you could try calling trading standards who should be very interested and will guide you through the process without getting a solicitor involved.
in 200 miles anything could have happened.
Did the car go in for work that involved removing the wheel in question?
As a general rule if any of my cars went in for work on the wheels I would check the nuts afterwards, as the owner I have a duty of care to make sure the car is roadworthy.
Also the nuts don't just all come off without someone noticing that the car is pulling to one side as they loosen.
Did the car go in for work that involved removing the wheel in question?
As a general rule if any of my cars went in for work on the wheels I would check the nuts afterwards, as the owner I have a duty of care to make sure the car is roadworthy.
Also the nuts don't just all come off without someone noticing that the car is pulling to one side as they loosen.
Have a chat with the garage, explain what happened. They will be sure to defend themselves, as they probably very commonly just get on with these things. I could see someone thinking they've performed a routine task such as this but not actualy done it (it does make a case for having a check-list of things to tick of after you've done them)
Remember: mistakes do happen so keep that in mind that someone just made an honest, genuine mistake (whatever the potential consequences). Dont go in with a hot head, just have a chat and explain what happened. Is it possible to get a report from the recovery people? Any pictures you can get of the wheel, the nuts, the hub?
Remember: mistakes do happen so keep that in mind that someone just made an honest, genuine mistake (whatever the potential consequences). Dont go in with a hot head, just have a chat and explain what happened. Is it possible to get a report from the recovery people? Any pictures you can get of the wheel, the nuts, the hub?
Du1point8 said:
in 200 miles anything could have happened.
Did the car go in for work that involved removing the wheel in question?
As a general rule if any of my cars went in for work on the wheels I would check the nuts afterwards, as the owner I have a duty of care to make sure the car is roadworthy.
Also the nuts don't just all come off without someone noticing that the car is pulling to one side as they loosen.
That bit in bold is the crucial element. You'll probably find on the invoice/receipt words to this effect too. Therefore very little, if any liability is accepted by the garage.Did the car go in for work that involved removing the wheel in question?
As a general rule if any of my cars went in for work on the wheels I would check the nuts afterwards, as the owner I have a duty of care to make sure the car is roadworthy.
Also the nuts don't just all come off without someone noticing that the car is pulling to one side as they loosen.
Whenever Ive had any tyre work done, the invoice/statement/handover always quotes check your nuts over 50miles or something like that.
Its wrong that it fell off, certainly would mention it to the garage but after that many miles it will be difficult to blame anyone.
However, thats the wheel nuts, you say its exposed the drive shaft so does that mean the entire brake assembly came off aswell?
Its wrong that it fell off, certainly would mention it to the garage but after that many miles it will be difficult to blame anyone.
However, thats the wheel nuts, you say its exposed the drive shaft so does that mean the entire brake assembly came off aswell?
clarkmagpie said:
My local garage always mentions to check wheel nuts after 50 miles if they have had a wheel off.
Local tyre place mentions it and has a large sign also.
This. Everywhere I've been has always said after driving 50miles or so go round and check all bolts. Even my friend who used to allways change my tyres and knew I always checked the bolts still used to stress that I check the bolts after he had the wheels off. Local tyre place mentions it and has a large sign also.
oldaudi said:
Whenever Ive had any tyre work done, the invoice/statement/handover always quotes check your nuts over 50miles or something like that.
Its wrong that it fell off, certainly would mention it to the garage but after that many miles it will be difficult to blame anyone.
However, thats the wheel nuts, you say its exposed the drive shaft so does that mean the entire brake assembly came off aswell?
Damage to the brake assembly COULD have happened during the 'incident'. Discs don't take too kindly to being dragged along a motorway without being raised off the road by a wheel and a tyreIts wrong that it fell off, certainly would mention it to the garage but after that many miles it will be difficult to blame anyone.
However, thats the wheel nuts, you say its exposed the drive shaft so does that mean the entire brake assembly came off aswell?
surveyor said:
I'm not convinced that any garage would be able to rely on a disclaimer such as that, not everyone has the knowledge, strength or ability to check wheel nuts.. Assuming that the wheel has parted due to garages lack of competence....
Many places I've been to either advise you to re-torque your wheel nuts after 100-200 miles, or if you're not able to do it yourself, suggest you come back in and they'll do it for you free of charge. So again, they should check their receipt to see what it says. surveyor said:
I'm not convinced that any garage would be able to rely on a disclaimer such as that, not everyone has the knowledge, strength or ability to check wheel nuts.. Assuming that the wheel has parted due to garages lack of competence....
So you're saying every garage should arrange a follow up visit for the customer to come back 50 miles later and have their wheel nuts checked?It's common sense to check them yourself, like checking oil, water, tyre pressures etc etc but no one does anymore. Then when it allgoes wrong it's someone elses fault.
The number of non car people I knwo who don't have their cars serviced because it's "a rip off by the garage to make you spend money when the car is working fine." They're then outraged when the car has an expensive bill because the pads have all worn down to the metal and destroyed the discs.
Morons, morons everyhwere.
HorneyMX5 said:
surveyor said:
I'm not convinced that any garage would be able to rely on a disclaimer such as that, not everyone has the knowledge, strength or ability to check wheel nuts.. Assuming that the wheel has parted due to garages lack of competence....
So you're saying every garage should arrange a follow up visit for the customer to come back 50 miles later and have their wheel nuts checked?It's common sense to check them yourself, like checking oil, water, tyre pressures etc etc but no one does anymore. Then when it allgoes wrong it's someone elses fault.
The number of non car people I knwo who don't have their cars serviced because it's "a rip off by the garage to make you spend money when the car is working fine." They're then outraged when the car has an expensive bill because the pads have all worn down to the metal and destroyed the discs.
Morons, morons everyhwere.
It'a bit like me doing a survey, then adding a caveat - if you discover a crack you must ask me to put it on my report.
surveyor said:
I'm not convinced that any garage would be able to rely on a disclaimer such as that, not everyone has the knowledge, strength or ability to check wheel nuts.. Assuming that the wheel has parted due to garages lack of competence....
I have to agree with this. At the end of the day we go to an outfit to get work done and the onus IS on them to check their own work to make sure its correctly done. You are trying to tell me if a little old lady 80 odd should be checking her own wheel nuts ? Don't be so silly.
We go to accountants, lawyers, car garages etc so that they can make sure the work is done correctly as and when we require it to be done, they are paid for this well. We don't do it ourselves because we do not have the knowledge or expertise to do so.
Also someonebody has said anything could have happened in 200 miles in regards to causing the wheel to come off - with all due respect I don't see wheels coming off all over the place, its not something that "just" happens.
Edited by IATM on Wednesday 5th November 11:51
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