Need to recover my car from a bodyshop

[Partybus]

One of my cars has been with a bodyshop for five months (having been told the job would take two weeks). I don't think they're intending to finish the work any time soon.

Has anyone any experience in the recourse owners have in recovering their vehicles when a company fails to complete work?

[davepoth]

If it's driveable go in and take it away. Be aware you may need to pay for any work that has been done.

If it's not driveable then you may have a bit of an issue.

[poing]

See a solicitor before you do anything, make sure you are good and legal. Not free but quite possibly a lot cheaper in the long run.

Might also be worth seeing if the body shop is part of any governing bodies, some are RAC approved, or insurance company approved etc. If they are then it's worth contacting them as well.

[falkster]

Recovering?? It's not like the car is stolen, just go down and take the car. If you can't drive it be prepared with a trailer. They've not completed the job so you don't owe them anything.

[TheCarpetCleaner]

Nothing helpful to add apart from my sypathies - I hate companies that don't do what they say they will do - and garages are the worst for it!

Good luck and please post up what happens - I for one would be interested in knowing the outcome.

[Anatol]

Take advice before doing anything. Despite it being your car, it is *entirely* possible for you to commit offences such as theft in the eyes of the law if you take it in certain circumstances.

Even if it ends up going nowhere, you don't want to waste a day being arrested - which is a possible outcome should the bodyshop in question report the matter to the police.

If you do decide to attend and take possession of it, it wouldn't hurt for you to advise the local police station in advance, and invite them to attend "to prevent a breach of the peace". They'll probably decline, but the fact that you pre-warned them stands you in good stead when it comes to matters relating to dishonesty, and belief in a legal right to take possession - which are relevant legal factors.