E30 Zone

MOT was due today and I rushed down to the testing station to get it done first thing this morning so I had the rest of the day to get back and clean my inlet and rocker for a spraying.

Drove up and gave the mechanic my keys to move it onto the ramps eagerly waiting to see what's needed this year when suddenly..









He drove it a little too fast over the brake tester and clipped, well slammed my sump into a raised part of the brake test, punching a hole in the front of it

I have been assured they'll fix it for next week and shall supply a green slip along with a new oil change
Certainty wasn't how I expected today's test to go although did have to laugh at the sump was only change two weeks ago!!

Nooooo, Make sure they replace the sump and don't just weald it fella.

Danm, hard luck fella

oooft that was not a good start mate but at least it will get sorted!

not a good start to a fresh year of motoring. make sure they do replace it and not bodge it up

As long as they repair it Zaust I don't care, I told them to do whatever they want to fix it but if it breaks again due to their repair I'll be coming back to get it sorted so I'm sure they'll do it properly!
I'm taking this thing to Le Mans 24 next month and need everything running right and reliable as we don't want a repeat of last years disaster D:

It looks like I'm getting the bus to work for a few days, dreadful public transport

Public transport does indeed suck. Keep us updated with Le Mans, would make a great thread!

IMO this is a place to be avoided like the plague. It had to be obvious that your car was low no???

Why would it be driven onto the rollers at a speed fast enough to smash your sump?

Do they know what is involed in replacing the sump? Where are they getting the replacement sump from?

Alarm bells are ringing

If a garage smashed my sump, I would let them pay for fixing it at a garage of my choice. I'd be getting the head off and having a look for damage also. If they're daft enough to do that, how long was it running before they noticed ?

My E30 cab was running for about an hour when it got its test done last month.

For the cost of a good second hand sump I'd be tempted to supply it myself (and maybe invoice them for it) to make sure I wouldn't get stuck with some birdshit welding.

Hard luck mate I hope you get her back soon..

Morat wrote:For the cost of a good second hand sump I'd be tempted to supply it myself

Exactly!

Never would i accept a welded sump. Especially when you drove the car there with a perfect, none leaking oem sump. They need to replace it with something as good or better than what was there to start with. It's only right.

It's a bit awkward as it's the garage I regularly use and they're a nice enough set of guys up there otherwise I would go all out and demand brand new BMW parts at their expense.
But they've done a few bits as favours on my car and old cars before, as well as a couple of mates so I'd rather not be a dick about it and loose my regular garage over a sump.

The car was running for about 20-30 seconds after it was hit, I was standing right in front of it and saw it happen there and then. As soon as I heard the bang I knew it was going to be messy.
The sump's being sent off to a specialist tomorrow to be welded, I've asked if they can see if the welder can pack a bit on the front for a bit of extra protection in the future but they know if there's problems with it, no matter when I'll be back to them to get it fixed so they're not going to half ass it!

I'll keep an eye on the oil and engine religiously when I do get it back... Oh and Russ don't worry I will be documenting the trip to Le Mans with many photo's to share when I get back

Well picked up the car today with a green slip... all for £170

The only went and f'king charged me for the work.. and OIL. It's not as if I had a solid sump fill with oil when it went in there?
They're saying all sorts of bullsh't now like "it's not roadworthy" quickly regretted when asked why did it pass the Mot then. Also apparently because it wasn't 'on the ramp' when it was done they're not liable.

Regular garage or not i'm going to avoid them like the plague now, and will be writing a letter demanding for a refund on the labour and parts, stating that if none is actioned that this will be taken further!

If this fails to get my money back then I'll pull out all the stops and report them to VOSA for their "audi a4 on the brake rollers with a Bmw 320i ticket going ahead"

WTF ????????? you paid it ???? for real ?? seriously man are you a mug , no way on gods earth would i of paid that , id phone vosa straight away1 - to report whats happend and ask for advice on what to do, and 2 abut the shifty business and get them to inspect the place, sound like complete and utter cowboys

surely they are liable from the moment you enter your car on the premises and leave them in charge, weather its on the ramp or not, incredible !!!

gutted for you man,but dont have it, no way on gods earth would i have that

I would of avoided the place in the first instance, you have well and truly been dry bummed by the looks of it.

I'd spread the word and slate his reputation and book cars in for MOT's daily

You handed over cash?! I wouldnt have had anything other than a brand spanking new sump from BMW, fitted by BMW.... Care you name this garage for others?

Fella, hate to say it but you are a complete mug for handing over any cash!

The fact one of their employees was driving the car at the time they are 100% liable. Now you've paid up i don't think you have much comeback interms of getting any money back to be honest, but i would be onto VOSA and Citizens advice first thing in the morning!

And you paid it?? would not of even entertained paying anything!

and surely they are liable as soon as you hand your car over into there possesion

I feel like a mug but I didn't have a choice it was the cash or the car when it came down to it, so I had to pay it because I need it for work and been struggling without it these few days. I really at the time had no other choice.

I made sure it was paid on a card so that they can initiate any refund via visa. I have friday off work, and will be down citizens advice then.

I'm not happy with the outcome of this so far at all and I swear that I'm going to get my fucking money back whatever the way.

The garage is Andy Oils in bletchley... beware. (then again what did I expect from bletchley)

mate- wise move on the card, your stance is that - complete cowboys, classic car- you wanted it out of there and safe was vital importance , stick to that, and also that they maybe pressured you in to paying, made you feel intimidated etc etc

ring your card company in the morning issue a chargeback/stop/void the payment

personly id also nip in the police station, explain what happened, say you were intimidated/pressured in to paying it to get your car back, so you paid to just get the car out of there safe- now what should you do ? maybe the police will pay a visit or help you in some way, citizens advice too

get that payment stopped !! or reversed back

same as when ebay/paypal scam, buyers just simpley ring card company, issue a chargeback ,and the card company automaicly just do it

Don't worry about handing over cash to get your car back. The trauma of the damage to your car in the first place in their hands, with the fear of further damage if it reamained in their hands, intimidated you into recovering your car at any cost.

I would be writing them a letter, advising them that you hold them fully liable for the cost of repairs due to their negilgence, or you will be taking them to the small claims court for costs and damages. Give them 7 days to respond, then do it.

What were you charged £170 for?

The sump repair or MoT work?

If it's the sump repair, then, do what you need to to get it back, but if they've repaired your sump
FOC to a standard that you're happy with and the £170 was for MoT and repairs, there is little you can do.

The test really is, what would it have cost to get your car MoTd in that garage if the sump hadn't been damaged? If it's £170 or more, then they've pretty much discharged their obligations - apart from your inconvenience/public transport costs etc.

For future reference, just tell them your car has a LSD so it can't go on the rollers (it will give an inaccurate reading and possibly damage the rollers). They have to use the old skool brake test box. That's what i always do.

Shocking behaviour from the garage. As per Cecotto's post - can you give us a break down of what the £170 charge consisted of?

Were they trying to imply with the "it's not roadworthy" comment that they've basically done you a favour in passing the MOT (it would otherwise have failed) and essentially the £170 'covers' that?

Certainly I'd hold them liable for the damage. Ramps or not, it was their employee at the wheel when the damage was sustained.