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Mechanic Damaged My Car!

djgtr32

By djgtr32,
in General Automotive Discussion

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djgtr32 Contributor

djgtr32

Posted
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Hi

Had my car at a local mechanic for a blue slip inspection last friday and after getting the car home i noticed a fairly large scrape on my front bar (20cent peice size of paint missing). On further inspection there are 2 fairly large cracks under the bar (looks like they have hooked the front bar on something and then reversed off tearing the underside of the bar in the process). Bar is fibreglass btw.

Just wondering where i stand legally? And what are my chances of getting them to fix the bar?

I also noticed when i dropped in during they day to check how things were going that my car was backwards on the hoist possibly indicating they had troubles driving it on forwards or is it common practice to reverse onto hoists?

P.S front bar had just been resprayed so there wasnt even a stone chip on it b4 i took it to the mech.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

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(B1) MR_fanny Grand Master

(B1) MR_fanny

Posted
Posted

thats a hard one. will be your word against theirs really. If theyre decent they might own up to it but i highly doubt it. If you can prove it by say hoping theres still some yellow paint on whatever it scraped/hooked onto at the garage then you might have a chance. Ask them if they had any troubles putting your car up the hoist and when they ask why explain to them your front bar was damaged when you got it back.

At the end of the day is it worth your time and effort persuing the issue. sometimes its easier just to walk away. Now you know to check in the future what kind of hoist you need for future work.

A tow truck gave my newly painted front bar a good scrape with its chains jacking the car up and putting it down. I could have argued with the fella but something just told me it would have been a lost cause.

GTR-N1 Grand Master

GTR-N1

Posted
Posted

^^^+1 yes 'Leading Questions' are a good idea and then document the answers. Be firm and polite. Don't be intimidated by the proprietor who is possibly older than you - or else take a 'witness' who can vouch for the perfect condition of your bar before.

Proof of your yellow paint is good to follow up on and photograph it.

Photos of your bar (the latest ones) just before the blue slip inspection will add weight, if you're prepared to go through the Small Claims Tribunal.

Or else a friend who is a solicitor can send a letter on your behalf. Keep in mind that this the final stage before a Tribunal hearing (after negotiations have already failed).

All the best. Tez

djgtr32 Contributor

djgtr32

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the reply's guys.

Went in this morning and spoke with the mechanic in question (very politely but firm). Explained the whole situation to him (had my phone recording in my pocket just in case :) ) and to my suprise he admitted guilt and told me he will pay for repair. Getting a quote this afternoon and will drop it to him in the morning.

I guess there are still some honest people out there.

djgtr32 Contributor

djgtr32

Posted
  • Author
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Yeah he certainly isnt honest, sly dog would be a more appropriate term.

he should have called you before you even came down to the workshop ie, as soon as it happened. That would be honest

So true... I'm just glad it isnt coming out of my pocket.

GTR-N1 Grand Master

GTR-N1

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the reply's guys.

Went in this morning and spoke with the mechanic in question (very politely but firm). Explained the whole situation to him (had my phone recording in my pocket just in case :) ) and to my suprise he admitted guilt and told me he will pay for repair. Getting a quote this afternoon and will drop it to him in the morning.

I guess there are still some honest people out there.

Great Result David!

It makes me wonder about a couple of things though, like...

1) how did you feel as you walked in there - a sheep amongst wolves?

2) would you ever use this crowd again personally?

3) did the mechanic back down when he recognised you 'meant business' = polite but firm (and not like Joe Pesci in GoodFellas)

4) I wonder if guys in your position on this forum, if things did go pear-shaped and had to go to court would feel inclined to use their thread here on SAU as proof of a journal (since judges are inclined to believe the evidence of a journal/diary).

Hmmmm. Tez

djgtr32 Contributor

djgtr32

Posted
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Great Result David!

It makes me wonder about a couple of things though, like...

1) how did you feel as you walked in there - a sheep amongst wolves? Actually quite confident. I'm a surveyor by trade, so i'm quite used to arguing my point infront of tough crowds ie: council, developers. Being 6'3" and a fit 95kg doesnt hurt either :)

2) would you ever use this crowd again personally? Wouldn't go back their if they payed me!

3) did the mechanic back down when he recognised you 'meant business' = polite but firm (and not like Joe Pesci in GoodFellas) He acted dumb. ie: "Didn't notice your bar catch or rub on anything, but your bar did look freshly painted when you came here, so it must have been us" I noticed he had the "oh shit" look on his face when i walked through the door, so he knew what he did.

4) I wonder if guys in your position on this forum, if things did go pear-shaped and had to go to court would feel inclined to use their thread here on SAU as proof of a journal (since judges are inclined to believe the evidence of a journal/diary). Never thought about that. Not a bad idea though.

Hmmmm. Tez

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