Small claims court

THE S33K3R

Hi,
I bought a second hand Ford Transit connect and brought it to a main Ford dealership for a full service as it needs a CVRT, i'm no expert on motors. I got it back from them and to cut a long story short there were a few things needed doing but nothing too serious.

Brought it to a local mechanic who replaced the CV boot which had burst, got a couple of new tyres and went for the test. I passed on everything except side slip which was out by 2m/km.
On the report from the Ford garage it said my wheel alignment was good.

I'll have to get the vehicle retested at the CVRT centre on this one item which costs about 40e
When I originally called them I asked for their figures for the alignment and was told it is done by eye if there are no indications it might be off such as uneven tyre wear. I reminded them the service report clearly indicates a 20% difference in wear between the two front tyres
After a little pressure they conceded that they would do the re-alignment but not until late next week which is particularly annoying as the vehicle is for a new business venture.

I'm thinking of putting in a small claim against them for the retest. Bear in mind I got a full service at 320e which has wheel alignment checked positive on the service report.

Do I have a leg to stand on or would I be wasting my own time and money ?

Pat Mustard

Maybe you could ask him to look after the retest. If he agreed, it would be better than taking time off work to go to small claims court to fight over €40.

THE S33K3R

The Mustard wrote: »

Maybe you could ask him to look after the retest. If he agreed, it would be better than taking time off work to go to small claims court to fight over €40.

*sigh* , they were hesitant to even do the alignment I paid for already.

The small claims court is not an actual courtroom as such. When you take out a claim, all you do is download the form or pick one up at the police station, I cant remember which, fill it out with your problem/evidence and enclose the ten euro or whatever it is now. The registrar or judge contacts the other party to let them know they have a claim against them and they either contest it or pay up. As far as I remember it is for claims under about a grand or something.

I made a claim before against another car dealer years ago and got my money back, but it was more clear cut as they replaced a car part that failed, except they didn't.

I'm looking for them to pay for third party expense incurred because their work was spurious.

THE S33K3R

I know it's only 40e, they are being such pigs about it though, I feel compelled to go after them.

As far as I know you cannot claim for the cost of claiming against them either.

Mountjoy Mugger

You know the SCC will cost €25 which you won't get back?

THE S33K3R

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

You know the SCC will cost €25 which you won't get back?

25e now is it.

Pat Mustard

The fee is €25 for the small claims court.

http://www.courts.ie/Courts.ie/Library3.nsf/pagecurrent/4F0ACA2C99B3EAC78025715C00517853

THE S33K3R

I've been thinking about this over the weekend and have decided to claim for the full amount of the service @ 320 euro as they wont entertain paying for the retest. I can get the job done faster elsewhere anyway and I wont have to deal with any more bull****.