how to find a good mechanic / garage

[neemic]

My car is currently languishing in the work-shop of the worst garage of all time. It's been there 5 weeks and now they say another 5 or 6 weeks cos parts are not available. It's only a Nissan Almera - not exactly at the high end of the market!

Any UK web-stes where I can (a) find a decent garage or (b) let others know a thing or 2 about the garage who currently have me avoer a barrel? 

[Grunty]

Parts for a Nissan Almera should be available over the counter at the nearest Nissan dealer.  If not, they can probably get them within 24 hours.  The best way to choose a garage is by personal recommendation.  I could recommend one where I live.  There may be an AB member in your area who could do the same.

I would go in, tell them to cancel the work and take the car away.  If the car has been dismantled, you could hand them a letter saying that you will pay their reasonable costs so far, but nothing more.  That should get the car ready for you to take. 

It is worth asking the Trading Standards Dept for advice, and mentioning them to the garage.  Otherwise, many of the car magazines and local newspapers have customer protection pages.  And of course there is BBC Watchdog.

[Loosehead]

Grunty is correct. I have no idea why they are hanging on to your car. What is it's current state? Can you drive it away? Just go in and demand your car back, get a freind and tow it away if necessary. There is absolutely no reason for them to hang on to it. Nissan parts are very easy to source. Just tell them to cancel any orders that they have made on your behalf, sounds like bull anyway. There are many good reliable garages, you do not have to endure this. Say what area you are in and I'm confident AB ers will suggest a garage.

[BillyNoMates]

Tell them you are going to remove the car in order to take it to a 'proper' garage and that they will be charged for the priviledge.

Also suggest that they will be billed for the cost of a hire car for 5 weeks.

[bracknell]

some ropey old garage.  Search yell.com for authorised Nissan garage in your area and they will look after you.  I have been fortunate that I have found two garages that look after me one mechincal and the other electronic. I don't take any rubbish from them either.  Oh by the way being female has not influenced these garages and they have not overcharged me - they daren't. And I drive a polo automatic!!

[neemic]

Thanks everyone.

The cylinder head is currently detached so I can't take it away. The parts are piston assemblies and I checked with a real garage (Nissan dealer) and yep - out of stock, 5 wks delivery. It's not so much this wait that bothers me, it's the 5 wks preceding! I suspect the reason they are messing me about is that I have asked them to sort out the head gasket problem they 'fixed' for me 2 months prior...at a cost of �1,600.

In my defence - I normally use the Nissan dealer where I bought the car several years ago, but they couldn't fit me in for 3 wks so I had to look around - big, big mistake!!!

 

 

Cheers anyway :-(