Post cat sensor damaged by specialist

[pvr]

During the handbrake replacement, the specialist damaged the O2 sensor by heating the bolts (rust) to remove items. Being charged £250+ for the replacement of that which I have an issue with.

First of all, the part is about 3 times more expensive than on Autodoc, and secondly why should I pay at all or am I expecting too much here?

 

[Scubaregs]

He damaged it, he pays to repair it.

 

[pvr]

That is my position - they take the position that the car is so rusted that it was unpreventable. But never warned of the risk in advance despite paying for a diagnostic fee to investigate first.

 

[Scubaregs]

Did they warn you of that before starting work? If not, their problem.

 

[enuff_zed]

If they thought it was that bad then they should have discussed it with you beforehand!

 

[pvr]

Indeed. What do you pay diagnostics for otherwise.

They are making out that they underquoted due to the rust level, so almost as we are “lucky”. A cost of over £2k so far is not really lucky, they already charged £400 more than quoted as they couldn’t get some bars lose at the rear wheels.

 

[j3nks79]

Why would they have to remove O2 sensor to replace the handbrake?

 

[pvr]

Why would they have to remove O2 sensor to replace the handbrake?

They didn't, they heated the exhaust so much to get the rusted bolts off that it fried the sensor

 

[j3nks79]

Why would they have to remove O2 sensor to replace the handbrake?

They didn't, they heated the exhaust so much to get the rusted bolts off that it fried the sensor

Oh I see.
The problem with working on older cars is it doesn’t always go to plan.
Rusty and snapped bolts and you are in for a 5 hour ordeal when it should have taken 30mins.
You can’t really blame the garage. Yes its annoying for sure but that’s old cars.

 

[Scubaregs]

How can't you blame the garage when you paid a diagnostic fee and they quote on the diagnosis?

 

[pvr]

I am not blaming them for it happening, I don't expect to pay for it though.
- Diagnostics shows handbrake gone through rusted backplate. Quote to replace bearings, backplates and brake related stuff. £1400 quoted
- Rust makes it take longer, another £520 added; That was friday
- Today, O2 damaged so another £250 please

I feel there was enough buffer now in what is being paid to take the hit for them on that and to be fair, I have never paid more than a quoted price at a main dealer no matter what they may have come across. This is the first time ever I have used a (biggish) indy garage

 

[smorris_12]

FML, that sounds expensive.

I'd offer to pay cost price for the O2 sensor, £250 is blatant profiteering.

 

[craig3.2]

That is my position - they take the position that the car is so rusted that it was unpreventable. But never warned of the risk in advance despite paying for a diagnostic fee to investigate first.
[/quote

Yeah,they damaged it,so should replace it. Sadly it's unlikely, given the cost of the part,but if it's 3 times what you can get it on Autodoc for,I'd be saying something. And only pay the parts price if that, without any labour
Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[MikeyH]

What a cheek. :headbang: Again, it's back to duty of care, years ago my first car was a Ford Anglia and it failed an MOT due to rust. I took it to a garage to have the welding done under the back seats, they didn't remove the seats and a spark set light to the car and before they could put the fire out it ruined the seats. Without any fuss they sorted some 2nd hand seats and everything was okay. No charge to me. I hope you can sort this as it's not good.

 

[Pondrew]

In this situation I would expect the garage to replace the sensor at cost.
OK, it's not an exact science getting rusted bits off, but then trying to charge 'full rate' and making a decent profit stick's in the throat a bit.
Seems they need a lesson in 'customer service' and 'goodwill'.

 

[IRD]

It is very short sighted on the garage’s part. In their business reputation is everything. I imagine your message would have been full of praise and very different had they made things right at no extra cost to you. Forum members would have been keen to make use of their service. Whereas now ………..?
I hope you manage to get something sorted out.

 

[pvr]

Hmm, yes. 99% of the time was them saying how much time they lost on the car due to the rust, and that the quote should not be interpreted as a "fixed cost" but only guide price, and it was certain that the O2 sensor would be damaged (but they hadn't ordered one in ...) and as a favour did the O2 sensor at cost rather than usual uplift of 20% (thanks for that info). Cost was still £150 though, considering at Autodoc the Bosch version is less than £40 I am not so sure about the cost price they charged in the end.

So £60 for a 5 minute diagnostic to provide a quotation which contained all the nut and bolts requiring changing, at £1400.

This ended up £2200, so I am not feeling that they undercut themselves too much. Those who know where I live, it is the indy about 2 miles from me ...

 

[smorris_12]

This puts me in mind of an episode of Fawlty Towers where Basil starts pulling off jacket and tie:

Sybil: What are you doing Basil?

Basil: Giving him the shirt off my back as well.

 

[Pondrew]

and it was certain that the O2 sensor would be damaged

Begs the question....why didn't they remove the O2 sensor before using the oxy-acetylene then? :?

 

[pvr]

Good point, wished I had thought about that question.

They probably would have said that removing it would break it