Garage Cannot Source Parts & Are Holding Onto Car

bigaudio

Hi

Appreciate any guidance on my current situation.

At present my car is stuck in a Garage in need of replacement parts that the Garage have confirmed that they are unable to source.
They now seem reluctant to give me the car back.
To give you the background:
My car failed its NCT on a number of points and I arranged to have them done at my regular garage
Had the work done, collected the car, and it failed the NCT re-test
Turned out a number of items had not been completed by the Garage, yet I had been charged for them
Garage were full of apologies - left hand not talking to right hand etc bring it in we will sort it all out
Took it in on Wednesday, and they initially advised that they could not source the parts needed
Went to collect it last night and it was still on the ramp with the wheels off.
Agreed that I would collect at mid-day today and they would continue to source part
Turned up today, was told it will not be long and they are trying to make the parts themselves
Eventually was told it taking longer than expected and they would drop it home to me.

Fair to say at this point, the car is not coming tonight

I have a long commute to work, and I do not have the money for hire cars etc.
I believe that they are struggling to get the car put together again, and do not want to admit this
On Monday I will simply insist on the cat back immediately, and a refund for the work not done........

Where I need some guidance is what should I do if they do tell me that they cannot get it together again?

Thanks for any advice

colm_mcm

What parts are they missing, what car is it. Was the intention to use new parts or used?

bucketybuck

What is the problem with the car though, what parts are they waiting on?

One thing you have to be aware of is that its not always possible to just throw the car back together and let you have it, it just isn't that simple. There are loads of parts that once removed cannot physically be used again. The garage could have stripped the hub for example to assess whats needed, now they find they cannot get the parts they need. They cannot just rebuild that hub with the old faulty or damaged parts, that would be totally dangerous and irresponsible. Maybe the brake caliper is faulty, they can't just fit a faulty caliper and release the car because they would be liable should your brakes fail and you kill somebody.

The garage has clearly made a series of ****-ups here, but depending on the fault you are not necessarily going to be able to walk in and demand your car immediately put back the way it was. You might as well realise that.

michael999999

bucketybuck wrote: »

What is the problem with the car though, what parts are they waiting on?

One thing you have to be aware of is that its not always possible to just throw the car back together and let you have it, it just isn't that simple. There are loads of parts that once removed cannot physically be used again. The garage could have stripped the hub for example to assess whats needed, now they find they cannot get the parts they need. They cannot just rebuild that hub with the old faulty or damaged parts, that would be totally dangerous and irresponsible. Maybe the brake caliper is faulty, they can't just fit a faulty caliper and release the car because they would be liable should your brakes fail and you kill somebody.

The garage has clearly made a series of ****-ups here, but depending on the fault you are not necessarily going to be able to walk in and demand your car immediately put back the way it was. You might as well realise that.

Maybe the garage owner might try communicating this to the customer then, instead of blowing smoke up he's....

Sounds like a bit of a chance OP.

mickdw

What car is it and what was wrong with it?

bigaudio

Hi

Thanks for the responses

The car is and 08 Kia Ceed (outside of Warranty due to mileage)
The parts they are having issues with are the back plates for the rear brakes, that were corroded.
I was under the impression that new parts were going to be used, but have since been advised that due to excessive cost the garage were attempting to source second hand ones.
Please do bear in mind that I had paid for this work to be done.

It was the garage who advised me to turn up and the car would ready yesterday, and then that they would be bringing it round to me last night. The communication from them has been at best poor and at worse complete BS.
If they were to be honest with me that would be fine - but given my experience I just want to walk away now.

Sam Kade

bigaudio wrote: »

Hi

Thanks for the responses

The car is and 08 Kia Ceed (outside of Warranty due to mileage)
The parts they are having issues with are the back plates for the rear brakes, that were corroded.
I was under the impression that new parts were going to be used, but have since been advised that due to excessive cost the garage were attempting to source second hand ones.
Please do bear in mind that I had paid for this work to be done.

It was the garage who advised me to turn up and the car would ready yesterday, and then that they would be bringing it round to me last night. The communication from them has been at best poor and at worse complete BS.
If they were to be honest with me that would be fine - but given my experience I just want to walk away now.

If that's the rear brake discs you are referring to it's a normal wearing part and can be easily sourced new.

bigaudio

Hi Sam
No, it is not the pads or discs
They are the bits of metal that sit at the very back of all the other parts of the brakes and hold everything else in place.
I have heard of them referred to as dust plates as well.

Sam Kade

I see, I thought they had discs on the rear yours are drums. The part is a backing plate couldn't find any in a google search.

rebelbmx

They probably will have to order the backing plate from a kia main dealer, unless they can find one from a dismantlers.

Tail Docker

No garage wants a car sitting blocking a lift, especially on a job that won't bring in revenue. I'd say they are struggling to source the backing plates and want the car done and gone every bit as much as you do. Kia parts can be a bit hard to source anywhere except main dealers and bloody dear if they do have them. If they don't hold them in stock(and I doubt they do) then that starts getting wait-ey.. Corrosion that bad on an 08 sounds poor anyway tbh..

colm_mcm

If you've paid for new backing plates then that's what you should get, if they're not that long-lasting, you're likely to be in this situation again if they use second hand items.

I knew that's be the reason, new parts wouldn't take long at all.
You could also check with kia for a part number as there may be an identical part on the Hyundai i30. I know the certainly share brake discs/calipers.

Is the car uk spec by any chance?

mickdw

What are these backing plates are are suddenly failing the nct on alot of cars.
Is it the plate that drum brakes are built on or the simple stone guard behind disc brakes?

Tail Docker

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you've paid for new backing plates then that's what you should get, if they're not that long-lasting, you're likely to be in this situation again if they use second hand items.

I knew that's be the reason, new parts wouldn't take long at all.
You could also check with kia for a part number as there may be an identical part on the Hyundai i30. I know the certainly share brake discs/calipers.

Is the car uk spec by any chance?

The OP already said that the garage told them that "due to excessive cost of new" they were trying to source used. Is the OP happy to pay the extra for new over used? Or is this a case of the garage trying to save the OP a few bob and it biting them on the bum? No good deed goes unpunished..

colm_mcm

Tail Docker wrote: »

The OP already said that the garage told them that "due to excessive cost of new" they were trying to source used. Is the OP happy to pay the extra for new over used? Or is this a case of the garage trying to save the OP a few bob and it biting them on the bum? No good deed goes unpunished..

Hasn't the OP already paid for them though, sounds they got their pricing wrong on new parts and won't honour it, and are now looking for second hand ones?

I was under the impression that new parts were going to be used, but have since been advised that due to excessive cost the garage were attempting to source second hand ones

dr.fuzzenstein

mickdw wrote: »

What are these backing plates are are suddenly failing the nct on alot of cars.
Is it the plate that drum brakes are built on or the simple stone guard behind disc brakes?

Good question, because I read this thread and I am none the wiser.
I hope I won't fail my next nct on those, (the stone guards behind the disc) because they are in bits and have holes in them. And the entire brake, wheel hub assembly has to come off to fit them.
When I asked Ford if they have them spare, they just looked at me as if I wanted a thruster for the space shuttle. Wad told they have never in 20 years replaced that part on any car.
But then I'm used to hearihg rubbish from Irish garages, i.e. brake fluide, coolant and gearbox and diff oil need never be changed, no matter how old the car is. That is the reason I service my own cars. Or, if I can't, I bring it to a trusted garage and say "do X,Y and Z, no more, no less, if there's anything unexpected, ring me".
Bringing your car to most garages is like making out a blank cheque and say "there you go dear, money is no object, go nuts"

bucketybuck

colm_mcm wrote: »

Hasn't the OP already paid for them though, sounds they got their pricing wrong on new parts and won't honour it, and are now looking for second hand ones?

I would bet the invoice doesn't include a charge for the backing plates at all, whoever did the bill probably completely jumped the gun, did an invoice for brake pads or something and got the OP to pay without realising that there was other work needed.

No garage should ever do a final invoice until the work is actually completed, but there are scenarios in which it can happen. Service advisers always need to be firm with customers pumping to get an invoice, until the work is done things can always change. Maybe the garage had sourced cheap second hand backing plates, they arrived from the supplier and turned out not to fit, could easily happen.

The OP says he has paid for the work, but has he paid specifically for a set of brake backing plates? How much were they? Its a moot point though, he shouldn't have to ask us this, the garage should be telling him all this.

bucketybuck

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Bringing your car to most garages is like making out a blank cheque and say "there you go dear, money is no object, go nuts"

I die a little inside every time I see you post in a Motors thread.

colm_mcm

mickdw wrote: »

What are these backing plates are are suddenly failing the nct on alot of cars.
Is it the plate that drum brakes are built on or the simple stone guard behind disc brakes?

This sort of thing

Sam Kade

Looks like there are backing plates on disc brakes also. Here's an ebay link they are fairly costly for the kia
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIA-5825238000-GENUINE-OEM-BACKING-PLATE-/131309914148?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e92ae4824&vxp=mtr

I can't see how rusty disc brakes backing plates would be an nct fail, unless they were completely rusted away but hard to imagine on a 08 car.

dr.fuzzenstein

bucketybuck wrote: »

I die a little inside every time I see you post in a Motors thread.

I've had 20 years of experience with Irish garages, 90% not great.
Any oil will do, ah shure, that arrow on the tires saying "direction of rotation" isn't really important, rear wheels don't need to be balanced, adjust headlights with a timber board and some chalk, as above, brake fluid, coolant, gearbox and diff oil need never be changed, CV boots on a Merc cannot be changed without dropping the rear subframe, I could go on about this stuff.
OK, not every garage just wants your money, a lot of them would point-blank refuse any car over 10 years old, because it might be "awkward", they just want 5 year old cars for nice, easy oil changes so they can put in 10w40 and charge 120 bucks for it.

colm_mcm

Sam Kade wrote: »

I can't see how rusty disc brakes backing plates would be an nct fail, unless they were completely rusted away but hard to imagine on a 08 car.

Could be an issue if they break off I'd say, being so close to the wheel/tyre


I thought kia ceeds usually had rear discs anyway?

bucketybuck

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I've had 20 years of experience with Irish garages, 90% not great.

You have shown again and again in this forum that you haven't a clue what you are talking about, people come in here looking for advice and what they get is your special brand of rubbish that doesn't help anybody. The only reason you are not on ignore is that hopefully people who actually know the industry can correct you before an unsuspecting poster takes your "advice" believing it to be accurate.

Have a nice day.

dr.fuzzenstein

bucketybuck wrote: »

You have shown again and again in this forum that you haven't a clue what you are talking about, people come in here looking for advice and what they get is your special brand of rubbish that doesn't help anybody. The only reason you are not on ignore is that hopefully people who actually know the industry can correct you before an unsuspecting poster takes your "advice" believing it to be accurate.

Have a nice day.

Rather convinced of ourselves, aren't we? I have yet to see evidence of rectal solar activity in your case.
I too wish you a splendid day.

Tail Docker

I'm strongly inclined to agree with Fuzz. There are some fantastic garages and mechanics, but a lot of dross too.

bigaudio

Thanks for all the responses.
At this point I either need my car back or a replacement. I have been mis-informed so frequently now - when I took it on Wednesday I was told the parts would be in etc.
I have to get to work. Where do you think I would stand asking for them to pay up for a modest hire car until they can get it sorted. I have now missed 4 days at work due to this issue. Had I been told the truth, the Garage would not have had the car and I would be requesting a refund for the work they had not carried out.

bucketybuck

bigaudio wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses.
At this point I either need my car back or a replacement. I have been mis-informed so frequently now - when I took it on Wednesday I was told the parts would be in etc.
I have to get to work. Where do you think I would stand asking for them to pay up for a modest hire car until they can get it sorted. I have now missed 4 days at work due to this issue. Had I been told the truth, the Garage would not have had the car and I would be requesting a refund for the work they had not carried out.

Can you clarify if this is a dealer or an independent garage?

What exactly did they invoice you for relating to the brakes?

padma

Surely if you've missed four days in work it may be worth your while to rent a car for what 30 quid or so a day? you probably earn 70-150 a day so there is no reason to skip work???everybody is different though.

ring the garage and ask them if they can give you a courtesy car, depending on the type of garage it is they may or may not have a hack around the yard you could use.

bigaudio

@bucketybuck - The Garage is independent. In terms of the invoice.....just checked and it is just a round €500 without listing any of the work done. Did not notice at the time, and any work done previously has always had a line item invoice. Did not even think to check when I received it.

@Padma - As I have incurred a massive bill from the garage for work that they did not do - and two NCT re-tests that have failed - no I am not in a position to be renting a car at the moment. Fortunately my employer has been very good about this and as I have to drive a 220 mile round trip to work (it is that or being on the dole) they understand the need for a car. That said, their patience will of course wear thin soon enough.
It may well be that I do have to hire a car and I will but that will mean a few 'cereal days' between now and next pay day. Would you be aware if I have any recourse to insist that the garage pay for this assuming of course that they cannot fix the car back together?

dr.fuzzenstein

bigaudio wrote: »

@bucketybuck - The Garage is independent. In terms of the invoice.....just checked and it is just a round €500 without listing any of the work done. Did not notice at the time, and any work done previously has always had a line item invoice. Did not even think to check when I received it.

@Padma - As I have incurred a massive bill from the garage for work that they did not do - and two NCT re-tests that have failed - no I am not in a position to be renting a car at the moment. Fortunately my employer has been very good about this and as I have to drive a 220 mile round trip to work (it is that or being on the dole) they understand the need for a car. That said, their patience will of course wear thin soon enough.
It may well be that I do have to hire a car and I will but that will mean a few 'cereal days' between now and next pay day. Would you be aware if I have any recourse to insist that the garage pay for this assuming of course that they cannot fix the car back together?

Yikes, that is bad. Sounds like they where just fumbling around with no clue of what they're doing and just billing you by the hour anyway.
If there are no parts on the invoice, I'd be deeply worried.
If it was me I would demand a full explanation of what was done to my car, detailed invoice for labor and parts and I would seriously question the amount, with no result to show for it.
It's fair enough paying for work done, but it's another thing paying for them to fumble around with no clue of what they're doing.
Best way would be to demand the car back and dispute the invoice. if they won't listen to reason, small claims court is the way to go.

Del2005

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Best way would be to demand the car back and dispute the invoice. if they won't listen to reason, small claims court is the way to go.

The garage can't give the OP their car back as it has no brakes and they can't source the parts to put them back together. Only way the OP is getting their car back is on a transporter or fixed.

dr.fuzzenstein

Del2005 wrote: »

The garage can't give the OP their car back as it has no brakes and they can't source the parts to put them back together. Only way the OP is getting their car back is on a transporter or fixed.

Yes, but if you don't trust the garage, its better get the car back on a trailer and give it to someone who can fix it.
I have done it.