Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

[Tona12]

We need help with an urgent situation !! My father drove his car into a local garage with an abs fault light, they did diagnostics and quoted a faulty pump, when he went to collect the car it would not start. The garage did not know why it would not start and did not know how to fix it. This has been going on since the 11th of august.. We sent a letter recorded delivery on the 19th of August stating the supply goods act 1982 and that we just wanted the car back in the same state that it was driven into the garage (working/drivable). The car still does not work and they demanded we pay the bill before they would release the car. I spoke to consumer advice line and they advised payment under protest, which we did. The garage then produced a form of a waver that states work that we do not believe has been carried out, we did not sign as we do not believe its true, they refuse to give us the car back until we sign this waver......... What do we do now? We have paid the bill(under protest) surely we can get our car back ???

[enquirer]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

As the bill has been paid, they cannot continue to retain the car. By retaining it in this manner they have committed the tort of Interference with Goods, for which you may sue. If they dispose of the car, that will be outright theft.

Personally, I would be tempted to turn up with a tow truck and proof of payment. If they got stroppy, I would call the police and if necessary, allege theft.

[Tona12]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

Thank u for your reply x can I go down to the garage and demand our car to be released to us there and then and if they don't call the police ??? My dad needs his car can't afford to hire,their threatening behaviour and bully tactics have left us no where to turn

[Kati]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

can I go down to the garage and demand our car to be released to us there and then and if they don't call the police ??? My dad needs his car can't afford to hire,their threatening behaviour and bully tactics have left us no where to turn

you could .... if you contact the police first to inform them what you are doing, they might suggest you wait for one of their officers to accompany you :tinysmile_twink_t2:

[Kati]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

a bit of info: http://www.inbrief.co.uk/sales-law/w...with-goods.htm :tinysmile_grin_t:

[righty]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

Any 'waver' signed under duress is unenforceable. Sign then sue, remember you have the evidence of what you were told by the advice line

[enquirer]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

If you do choose to sign, get them to repeat everything verbally ('sign here or we'll keep the car, even though you've paid the bill') ... right into your concealed microphone.

[righty]

Re: Paid garage bill but they will not release car until we sign a waver, pls help

Getting them to verbally admit their criminal behaviour may be difficult. I would suggest writing to them stating that

"Despite being paid in full, you are still refusing to release my car until I sign a waiver exonerating you from further claims. Therefore, I feel I have no choice but agree as the car is desperately needed for our day to day activities

Send it 'special delivery'

Then when you get it back sue the buggers AND report them to the police or vice versa