Garages driving your car without you knowing.....

[arun1uk]

My car is in for some repairs at the moment. Had the bonet and front wings resprayed after being swiped by a lorry a year ago. Noticed that the lacquer has started to peel off so took it back.

They agreed it was a poor repair job (as I told them in the first place!), so they are repairing it for free....

Dropped it off on Tues last week and was promised it would be ready on Friday. Friday came and I called up first thing to find out when to pick it up, only to be told it would be delayed until Tuesday, which then slipped to Wednesday (GRRRRRRRRRRR).

So...imagine my shock and anger when I see my car being driven at the weekend! They said the car has been stripped and prepped for work on Friday, so why did I see someone driving it on Saturday!!! I tried to chase it, but had to turn around in heavy traffic so it was long gone by the time I could.

I was fuming. Called them up to find out what the hell was going on but they were closed on Saturday. Called again on Monday and they claimed it definitely wasn't my car. But I know it was. Even had my PH smiley, so I know it was!

So, what do I do? Accept it or investigate? Surely the only way I can be sure is if I check the mileage?

[Daaaveee]

Recording the mileage is the only way to be sure. Did you record it when you dropped it off?

I agree its out of order and would be fuming in your position too.

[TheRoadWarrior]

arun1uk said:

My car is in for some repairs at the moment. Had the bonet and front wings resprayed after being swiped by a lorry a year ago. Noticed that the lacquer has started to peel off so took it back.

They agreed it was a poor repair job (as I told them in the first place!), so they are repairing it for free....

Dropped it off on Tues last week and was promised it would be ready on Friday. Friday came and I called up first thing to find out when to pick it up, only to be told it would be delayed until Tuesday, which then slipped to Wednesday (GRRRRRRRRRRR).

So...imagine my shock and anger when I see my car being driven at the weekend! They said the car has been stripped and prepped for work on Friday, so why did I see someone driving it on Saturday!!! I tried to chase it, but had to turn around in heavy traffic so it was long gone by the time I could.

I was fuming. Called them up to find out what the hell was going on but they were closed on Saturday. Called again on Monday and they claimed it definitely wasn't my car. But I know it was. Even had my PH smiley, so I know it was!

So, what do I do? Accept it or investigate? Surely the only way I can be sure is if I check the mileage?

Since you're sure its your car- don't take any st! Speak with the garage owner, mention how you know it was definately your car and stand your ground. I'd expect some sort of compensation based on the fact that they lied to you about the progress and have been using the vehicle without your permission.

[E30M3SE]

arun1uk said:

My car is in for some repairs at the moment. Had the bonet and front wings resprayed after being swiped by a lorry a year ago. Noticed that the lacquer has started to peel off so took it back.

They agreed it was a poor repair job (as I told them in the first place!), so they are repairing it for free....

Dropped it off on Tues last week and was promised it would be ready on Friday. Friday came and I called up first thing to find out when to pick it up, only to be told it would be delayed until Tuesday, which then slipped to Wednesday (GRRRRRRRRRRR).

So...imagine my shock and anger when I see my car being driven at the weekend! They said the car has been stripped and prepped for work on Friday, so why did I see someone driving it on Saturday!!! I tried to chase it, but had to turn around in heavy traffic so it was long gone by the time I could.

I was fuming. Called them up to find out what the hell was going on but they were closed on Saturday. Called again on Monday and they claimed it definitely wasn't my car. But I know it was. Even had my PH smiley, so I know it was!

So, what do I do? Accept it or investigate? Surely the only way I can be sure is if I check the mileage?

I wouldn't have called them on monday morning, I would have gone down there to have a look at my stripped and prep'd car and then raised the question of who was driving it on saturday and why..........

If they maintain it was not your car, and you have not recorded the exact mileage, you do not get a NIP or unpaid parking ticket summons in the post, how are you going to prove it was yours you saw.

ETA, doesn't sound like the best of bodyshops if they palmed you off with a shoddy repair in the first place.

Edited by E30M3SE on Tuesday 5th October 16:09

[arun1uk]

It's all done through my company so I didn't have a choice. I've had some issues with them before, but as they carried out the work in the first place, I have to go back.

Hmmmm, I've got the authorisation form when they went over my car so will check on that to see if I logged the mileage. I generally do...

I'm not really sure I want compensation, it's a trust thing, you know? Knowing that you've left your car with someone and know they'll treat it with respect.

How should I approach the situation? (i'm not writing a strongly worded email!!!!)

Would love to name and shame, but....

[GBS2K]

If your company has made you use this garage, then I'd suggest a word with your fleet manager.

If it's part of a national chain, then it can be taken up with head office.

[y2blade]

GBS2K said:

If your company has made you use this garage, then I'd suggest a word with your fleet manager.

If it's part of a national chain, then it can be taken up with head office.

is it a Company car then?

[GBS2K]

arun1uk said:

It's all done through my company so I didn't have a choice.

Based on this, I'm assuming it is.

[y2blade]

GBS2K said:

arun1uk said:

It's all done through my company so I didn't have a choice.

Based on this, I'm assuming it is.

my thoughts too

[Fastra]

Would have been good had you come across it parked up somewhere and waited till the 'owner' came back!
"Nice car that mate, had it long? How fast does it go", etc, etc..!


Or, perhaps you would have time to nip home and get the spare key and move it somewhere??



Bit of a bds trick though, I wouldn't be pleased!

[arun1uk]

y2blade said:

GBS2K said:

arun1uk said:

It's all done through my company so I didn't have a choice.

Based on this, I'm assuming it is.

my thoughts too

Correct assumption, this is my company car, no way would I trust the Aston with them!
It's the insurance company that have made me use the same guys again, as it's a warranty issue. There was no way out of that.

[edo]

this is twoc. Report it to the police.

[CraigyMc]

edo said:

this is twoc. Report it to the police.

It's not his car - it's property of the leasing company.

Can he still report it twoc if he's not the "o" in twoc?

[AyBee]

Definitely threaten speaking higher up the chain on your side, if they think they'll lose a lot of business from it then they'll back down quite quickly I'd imagine. Good luck with it!

[E30M3SE]

CraigyMc said:

edo said:

this is twoc. Report it to the police.

It's not his car - it's property of the leasing company.

Can he still report it twoc if he's not the "o" in twoc?

Are you suggesting that a company car driver of a leased car cannot report his/her car stolen?

Ditto a car on hire purchase, technically not the 'owner'.

[y2blade]

arun1uk said:

y2blade said:

GBS2K said:

arun1uk said:

It's all done through my company so I didn't have a choice.

Based on this, I'm assuming it is.

my thoughts too

Correct assumption, this is my company car, no way would I trust the Aston with them!
It's the insurance company that have made me use the same guys again, as it's a warranty issue. There was no way out of that.

if it is a company car then I'd be more angry about the bare faced lies in response to you challenging them about it over the phone (I can't stand liars)

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 5th October 17:18

[hornetrider]

Man, I would be absofkinglutely raging if that happened to me! Someone just wanted to use it for the weekend!

[arun1uk]

Well, it may be a company car, but it's MY company car (personal lease actually, funded by the company)...I look after it and treat it like my car, so that's how it should be treated.

I just dont think it's on that they lied about the progress and then see them out driving it when it's supposed to be under repair, especially on a weekend!

Think I'll try and pop in there first thing tomorrow and have a go at them in person and ask for an explanation. Will raise it with the insurance company and perhaps review using them again.

[CraigyMc]

E30M3SE said:

CraigyMc said:

edo said:

this is twoc. Report it to the police.

It's not his car - it's property of the leasing company.

Can he still report it twoc if he's not the "o" in twoc?

Are you suggesting that a company car driver of a leased car cannot report his/her car stolen?

Ditto a car on hire purchase, technically not the 'owner'.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting. Being the registered keeper isn't anything to do with ownership, I'd have thought.

If "my" car was nicked, I'd just phone leaseplan to enquire when they planned to replace my company vehicle with another one. Not my problem.

[RobM77]

The only acceptable use of a car by a garage in my opinion is a test drive to verify mechanical work that's been done. They were doing paintwork, so didn't need to do any more than move your car around their yard as and when required. As such I would definitely take this further.