possibly ripped off???

swirley

Hi,
Really need some advice. I bought an audi a3 last June and paid extra to have the car's timing belt changed before I collected it from the garage.
I took the car for a service last week and the mechanic told me the timing belt needed to be changed. The car has done max 20000 km's since it was bought. Surely the timing belt couldn't be gone already???
I am thinking that the garage that sold it to me ripped me off and didn't change the timing belt.
Would you know if it hadn't been changed or maybe they put in an old one?? What could I do to prove they ripped me off? I don't think I should have to shell out another €250 to change it again.

Any advice appreciated.

chris85

swirley wrote: »

Hi,
Really need some advice. I bought an audi a3 last June and paid extra to have the car's timing belt changed before I collected it from the garage.
I took the car for a service last week and the mechanic told me the timing belt needed to be changed. The car has done max 20000 km's since it was bought. Surely the timing belt couldn't be gone already???
I am thinking that the garage that sold it to me ripped me off and didn't change the timing belt.
Would you know if it hadn't been changed or maybe they put in an old one?? What could I do to prove they ripped me off? I don't think I should have to shell out another €250 to change it again.

Any advice appreciated.

most mechanics would mark on the belt the kms on it when changed. Is it possible the mechanic now is just going by the mileage and didnt check the belt to see if it was changed as maybe it was changed.

me_right_one

Maybe its your current mechanic who's trying to rip you off. Did you ask any other mechanics to see what needs servicing on the car?

Diddler82

The timing belt is a common con of mechanics. I suggest you tell him not to bother and leave as is. My best mates a mechanic and he worked with some of the worst eggs in Dublin. They can spot ya a mile off. Take your business elsewhere. Oh if anyone takes the high road he worked for a reputable garage in Blanch who sell the previosly mentioned make of motor

swirley

the guys I bought it off of turned out to be a right shower of cowboys(they wouldn't give the reg cert for the car after I bought it and were really nasty) so I would trust the guy that is looking at it now rather than them.
Is it worth getting an independent assessment done? I rang the consumer rights people and they said that I would need an engineers report if it went to the small claims court. If there is nothing on the belt, would they be able to say for sure that it wasn't changed.
The cowboys stamped my service manual saying that they changed timing belt and water pump.

guil

i doubt they would stamp the book if they didnt do the work

Guy:Incognito

swirley wrote: »

(they wouldn't give the reg cert for the car after I bought it and were really nasty).

I assume you mean they wouldnt give you the VLC that was still in the previous owners name? Why would they? Standard practice is for the seller to send it to Shannon, otherwise you could be driving aroung picking up speeding fines and toll charges on a car thats still registered to the last owner.

You wouldnt appreciate trading in a car to a garage only to start getting fones in the door months lter.

swirley

Stekelly wrote: »

I assume you mean they wouldnt give you the VLC that was still in the previous owners name? Why would they? Standard practice is for the seller to send it to Shannon, otherwise you could be driving aroung picking up speeding fines and toll charges on a car thats still registered to the last owner.

You wouldnt appreciate trading in a car to a garage only to start getting fones in the door months lter.

I understand the standard practise but after a long time waiting to get back the VLC with my name from Shannon I rang them up and they said they never had it, refused to help me and were really nasty.

me_right_one

Who were these boyo's? PM me, I have a few stories to tell

Stacks Mad

Well spending 250e is better peice of mind than a blown engine.Costing $$$$

Harcrid

You need to ask your mechanic why he thinks the belt needs to be changed. Is it because he is going by the mileage of the car and reckons it is due or is he going by wear on the belt?

swirley

I talked to him today and he said that the belt is very worn looking...tatty was the word he used. According to him, the belt was too worn to only have done under 20,000kms. He showed it to my boyfriend who called over to the garage .... so looks like I need to change it alright so I was obviously ripped off by the crowd I bought it from. :mad:
As they stamped the service manual to say they did it, I will be trying to get the money back I paid them for it.
So mad over the whole thing.....

kasper

ask your mechanic to give you the parts that he changes might be useful later when visiting the dealer about same

swirley

swirley wrote: »

I understand the standard practise but after a long time waiting to get back the VLC with my name from Shannon I rang them up and they said they never had it, refused to help me and were really nasty.

They never had it ? Surely you signed it when you bought the car ? How did you eventually get it ?

corktina

just to pick up a small point.The timimg belt isnt changed because its worn or "gone" in any way. Its changed as a precaution in case it should fail. It conceivably may never fail and they usually look perfect on changing.

-Chris-

Before you do anything, get an independent assessor to look at it. They'll do a report that will stand up in court. Without that it's just your word/your mechanic's word agains the dealer's.

JHMEG

swirley wrote: »

I talked to him today and he said that the belt is very worn looking...tatty was the word he used. According to him, the belt was too worn to only have done under 20,000kms.

You need to get that in writing from him first.

-Chris- wrote:

Before you do anything, get an independent assessor to look at it.

As a qualified professional the current mechanic is already acting in that capacity.

Armin_Tamzarian

It sounds like your current mechanic is on the level.
I'd go ahead and let him fit a new belt.

-Chris-

JHMEG wrote: »

As a qualified professional the current mechanic is already acting in that capacity.

Would you not be better off with a member of the IAEA if it's possible it'll go to court?

Stacks Mad

There's no proof that the dealer did not fit the belt ,It has been nearly a year since you bought the car and you have put up 20,000 km since then so you won't have a leg to stand on in the small claims court because of lack of evidence and professional opinions.

I know and you know you were ripped off and I feel for you ,but for 250e . Get your mechanic to put the car right and you'l have the confidence in the car knowing that it's maintained as it should be.

mickdw

IS your mechanic doing the work for 250? it must be very straight forward in that car if that is what is it costing. Cant see you getting a water pump & tensioner etc for that price.
Seeing as an assessor will cost you 200, Id just get the work done. You really dont need the headaches of an ongoing case over something so small. Best to just spread the word far & wide about the original cowboys.