Advice on Ford dealership questionable repairs?

Cocksure

Well things are starting to get very expensive

I'm currently arranging a fresh independent inspection as i was getting nowhere with the original people. Yet to have the price, but I'm expecting around the 2 to 3k mark as this report will be a lot more detailed (they strip the vehicle down to inspect the work). MOT people have been in touch and that will hopefully take place sometime next week when all parties have been informed etc. Might have to cancel the MOT inspection, but will see what the new people say 1st.

outoftheknow

Is it another 2 to 3k to put it back together?

shotokan101

Has your lawyer confirmed that you can/should do this before the dealer  has inspected it?

k17chy

Way over priced. Last independent inspection I had done was £149. That was more than enough to get the dealer in question to remedy all of the problems I had.

Cocksure

Its because I'm using an expert witness this time around, so from previous experience I know full well how much they cost, if the quote is less than great, but I would be very very surprised. The 1st inspection cost £270 odd and quite frankly isn't worth much, this new inspection will cost a lot more but will save money in the long term. Being able to give the dealership a very in-detailed report which really goes into things will increase the likelihood of a settlement without court action. Besides, I will be able to claim the cost back with any settlement or even if it goes to court (assuming I win), and as I know that there are things to find, then the risk is low to me at this stage.

Getting the dealership to do the work to fix is out of the question for me, as if they have already lied to me once, then I will always question/not trust any work they do again, so instead they will need to agree to pay for the work to be done elsewhere, for that I need very hard evidence.

In regards them looking at it 1st, the lawyer, 1st inspection people and now expert witness have all stated that this must not happen until all my investigations are complete, reports done and requested information given etc. Then and only then may they look at it. As its all hard evidence so to speak (it either was or wasn't done correctly etc) then the delay in them seeing it is a non-issue, especially as they worked on the vehicle so should already know the state of it as a result. They claim that the work has been done etc so I must complete all investigations 1st to show where it hasn't been before they look.

Also as I have an interest in the vehicle then legally speaking my opinion/observations/finds have no weight in court so the evidence must come from independent people/firms and I must be given time to arrange this.

wezzywebb

Jeez 2/3k for an inspection,I take it hes stripping it down to bare chassis ,and sticking gold plated brake pipes back on when he rebuilds it !!!![emoji23]

Cocksure

Your mainly paying for a whole load of letters after the name and a multi-page report. You are also paying for the fact that they will be a lot more qualified than the people who did the work. Doesn't mean that people without the letters don't know as much or more, just that they have the qualifications.

Edit
Think of it this way
Say you had a faulty tv, you could get an inspection and report from a local independent or you could get it done by the chap in charge of quality control at the factory. Both will likely say the same, but one will carry more weight than another. The simple fact that they know this adds a premium to any fees.

Cocksure

Bit of good news, the quote has come in much cheaper than I expected at just under a grand, still a lot, but a lot less than expected

Also been advised to delay the mot reinspection now to after this inspection so as the report findings can be sent to the mot people 1st for them to read before they inspect.

Cocksure

Quick update

Had the second inspection and been advised to only drive it if absolutely necessary as whilst it is safe to drive at the moment, due to how the work has been done, their is a high chance of it not being so when driving (a matter of time, could be on the next trip could be in 2 months etc).

Over 20 faults found with damage caused all over the place and lots of work done incorrectly (service wasn't even done right).

Edit
Far, far worse than I ever imagined in short. Even the chap who did it said he was surprised on the amount of faults he found, need to wait for the written report, but I have more confidence in it this time around.

k17chy

Quick summary of the faults?