Steps to take in bad vehicle situation?

Question

Long story short. Went to get an oil change and serpentine belt changed on 2001 Jetta. Left unnamed large oil change company thinking everything was fixed. Two days later, I hear a thud, and all of my car is sounding like it is dying, horrible grinding sound. Turned into the nearest garage. They told me the right hand side engine mount is broken and the engine is nearly hanging out of the vehicle. They asked me if I had a belt changed recently, I told them two days earlier I had a belt changed, they said this would have been the problem, that someone never finished their job. 

My Question, Does is seem highly likely it is the person who repaired the belts error (Is this possible when repairing a serpentine belt?)

If so, how would you go about getting some sort of compinsation as they just totalled my vehicle. How would you approach the situation? Should I call a mechanic to look at the car and give me something in writing first? Advice would be much appreciated, tough situation. Thanks very much.

Mug

Stupid Flanders · Accepted Answer

Yes - It is very likely that the repair shop did not finish the job and they should be liable for the damage. 

Take a mechanic's statement/affadavit along with an estimate to repair the damage to the large oil change company (I am guessing Jiffy Lube since most of them are morons) and ask for the manager. 
Explain the situation and give them the chance to make good on their mistake. 

If they don't, then sue them for the damages and do your best to get your new mechanic as a witness.

? · Answer

Your best plan of action call the first service department and tell them exactly what happened. Keep all of your receipts and start a journal for this situation. Ask the second garage if they will give you something in writing. Its worth a shot. If not, do you have a friend who is a mechanic. Ask them to Take a look at it and give you something in writing. If the first company will stand by their work, ask them if they will have it towed back to their garage. If not you can call AAA and have the car towed back.

If they give you a hard time, show them your journal, BBB contact info and other mechanics written comments. Explain to them that if they do not stand by their work, you will call their corporate office, BBB, local organizations, and file a complaint with ripoffreport.com. Also mention that you will leave negative reviews on google and yahoo.

? · Answer

in order to get the first garage to pay or repair it, you will probably have to get a written statement from the second garage saying the problem was caused by improper maintenance while changing the belt, etc

if you go to court, the judge would probably want you to give the first garage an opportunity to correct the situation,  so you should go there first and see if they will :

tow it to their shop for free
repair it for free
give you a loaner car while yours is being repaired, etc

save your receipts and document everything in case you have to go to court later

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Steps to take in bad vehicle situation?

3 Answers