Let me start by giving you that detailed break-down of work this guy did....
Engine:
3.5 HRS Semi-Synth = £16
Oil filter = £9
Oil leak (locate fault, labour & switch) = £30
Total = £55
No plate light
2 Wiper blades (these were replaced only the week before Xmas!)
Front bumper loose
Total = £20
Brakes:
Replace front brake pads = £29
Rear brake pads = £25
Labour = £60
N/s CV Boot = £19
Labour (drill out bolt) = £60
Total = £234 (Actually the total is £233-but the guy can't add up!)
MOT = £40 (this bill does not include £35 for 1st MOT)
Total bill = £309!!!
Now i really need your help guys.............as soon as i got my car back i had to go on a short motorway journey (20 mins total time driving-about 10 on motorway) & my brake fluid light came on as did my ABS light?
I brought the car straight home-about half way into my journey (so still total driving time 20mins) & the next morning i rang the guy-its normal he says, put a little brake fluid in it-its because of the new pads, this i did.
I then find that my car is shuddering a lot when i brake (just street driving-no more than 30mph-10mph on turns?), i ring the guy again-its just the brake pads bedding in he says!
Next my oil light is coming on-though he's supposed to have done a full oil change, i ring him again, he dropped by my house on his way home & fills my car with oil!
Please bare in mind i've barely driven my car since this guy had it, i've been a little wary & i've had a lift to work.
Last week i drove a short distance, again my oil light came on, i ring the guy-he's on holiday (WITH MY BLOODY MONEY!), but also my car is making a lot of noise-sounds just like a bomber taxi, so rang my dad who told me to put STP oil in it-this i did & car seems fine.
Today i'm on another motorway journey, been on the motorway 5mins when car starts making a lot of noise again, black smoke starts pouring out of exhaust & oil light comes back on, i took next turning off & rang my dad-who's a member of the AA, he came to my rescue & rang the AA.
They come out, tell me my car has been over filed with oil & its totally knackered!
Its either the pistons or the engine-he'd bet his money on it being the engine-approx £1500 for a new engine-car worth £2000 tops-best advice he can give is do a complete oil change, fill it with STP & trade it in asap (while its not making so much noise)!
HELLO?!?!?
IS IT ME? I ONLY TOOK IT TO GARAGE FOR A FEW MINOR JOBS & NOW I'M CAR LESS?
Yes i know it wasn't a brand new car, but i LOVE that car, it mite only be an N reg, but its black with blacked out windows, lexus front & rear lights & i've got a private reg N558 MEL. I take good care of it, it's washed & polished very often, spotless inside etc etc. It looks good, people always comment on how nice a car it is.
So is that it, i just give my baby away to some dodgy dealer? I can't afford to get a car on the never-never, i paid cash for this 1 2yrs ago using my inheritance-I DON'T WANT A NEW CAR!
Surely this guy is somehow to blame for this?
SOMEBODY HAS GOT TO PAY?!?!? I FEEL LIKE I'VE LOST A CHILD
Please please please help me
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.