Help ..... can a garage do this?

[sunflower888]

Hi Im new have own a DS3 with sports styling, two colour combo, and low mileage. It was in an accident, where I was hit from the rear and then the repairer garage botched it. It is currently with another I went to via the main dealer. The inspector came out to confirm the poor state of the repairs.

I want to go another quote from another garage, only now the one where it is wont release my car, saying there are now £2500 storage fees on it, can they do that? Without informing me? And I'm being told by the insurer that it could be a potential economic write off, but not due to the accident but the damages by the garage.

The insurer has now said they will pay for that, but now I dont know if I want £9100 of repairs! Any advice? (They have to undo the botched work and redo, almost like doing it twice).

I am appalled that the garage where I took it to be costed up for an estimate, who told me it was ok to leave it there until I knew what I wanted to do (insurer, Hastings Direct, have dragged their heels). Now tells me they won't release my car to me, due to the storage fees. They are using my car to blackmail the insurer. Can they without telling either of us about such fees? Feeling so exploited.

[Chris_Blue]

Welcome to the Club Sunflower888. Sounds like a nightmare
Best bet is to get alternative legal advice. Citizens advice is free. If you are a Trade Union member they usually have people that give free legal advice

Being charged for storage if you weren't advised, or if your insurer didn't advise you properly, seems wrong

[sunflower888]

Thanks. I was quite ill at that time. Car is still being repaired.... was told he was done but now new issues. Any idea on these:

They have changed the front windscreen due to internal scratches from the valet. But I'm being told they dont do the old one (reg is 14 plate) and so the new screen from Citreon is "slightly smaller" is this true? Seems odd and the one currently in there has about 1cms gap to the top and on the left / right side, i thought the original was meant to be flush to the metal sides.

Also, on the left passenger glass and left rear glass lots of spots have appeared on the glass in the time its been at the second garage. My opinion is that its something to do with the first garage's botch. I am being told "it's a flaw in the glass, in the laminate" and so won't clean off. The first garage had oversprayed the silver paint onto the glass, and i feel its the spray pattern and some residue.

But because the hoopers inspector said its a flaw in the glass my insurance Hastings wont change it.

Have you heard of this flaw? Its not on the other side.... I don't believe them.

[Chris_Blue]

altho several months have passed since you first post, seems they are still spinning you yarns IMO