ComplaintsforMike the Mechanic

• Initial Complaint

  04/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  - started work on October 26, 2023 - completed January 22, 2024 - approximately $5000.00 paid. We brought a recently purchased vehicle to Mike to fix. We drove it for 1 day when something happened to it and it was not drivable. We made an appointment on October 26, 2023 to look at that specific problem in addition to looking at what needed to be done to pass the insurance inspection. Mike completed over $4000.00 of work taking almost 2 months to complete!!! We recieved the vehicle back in January to drive it for not even 10 mins before it breaks down for the original problem we brought it in for. We took a look at the invoice and nothing was fixed besides things for the safety inspection. Why would that all need to be done if the vehicle isn't running. We gave him one chance to fix the problem. He had it for another month and claims it was fine and couldn't find anything. We again can't drive the vehicle for more than 10 mins without it breaking down. We have now taken it to another mechanic after dealing with Mike for almost 3 months. The have found the problem in less than a day!!! We were completely ripped off by Mike. The $4000.00 of work was completely useless and unessesary when we did not have a vehicle that could not be driven. He should have fixed the original problem first as we were made to believe he did. We are out over $4000.00 plus 3 months of insurance for when he had the vehicle just sitting.

  Business response

  26/02/2024

  Customer had vehicle at another shop and they completed an inspection stating it needed significant repairs. Vehicle was towed to our shop as it was not driveable in its current state.  Our inspection confirmed there was substantial safety related items needed.  Customer towed the vehicle due to the power steering system to be inoperative and the "engine no combusting/starting", but not once did we experience a no start issue with this vehicle until the battery froze in cold snap (of which was thawed out and started without issue).  This vehicle is the customers daughters vehicle and was not familiar with vehicle in general and couldn't advise us on any possible drivability concerns previously.  Customer was a long term customer and is unfortunate that something else failed on this high mileage vehicle. We offer a one year parts and labour warranty on all our repairs, but it is not our repairs that have failed. Customer has stated the engine is seized at another shop.  Our techs did note the engine oil level was good as clean upon initial inspection. Customer took vehicle and noted dash lights came on.  Vehicle returned but a very intermittent misfire made diagnosis challenging and time consuming. Customer opted to take vehicle and drove it from our lot. 

  Customer response

  26/02/2024

  
  Complaint: 21244325
  
  I am rejecting this response because: After taking it from your shop 3 seperate times after being told 3 separate times it was fixed we could not drive the vehicle more than 5km with the engine flooding and breaking down. The original issue was never fixed and yes there were safety issues but first and foremost we needed this vehicle drivable, which it was not. We would have never agreed to over $4000.00 in safety repairs if the vehicle wasn't drivable. We would like some sort of compensation as the original issue was never fixed. We have written proof of what the original issue was (engine flooding and not starting due to that) and that it was never dealt with. Not having the vehicle for 3 months on top of all of that was unacceptable.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

  Business response

  01/03/2024

  Attached is a message between the shop and Mr. *******.  We sent the estimate for the items requiring replacement to pass safety inspection; in that same paragraph we did notify him that the engine concern has not been addressed (was starting/running without issue at that time) prior to his approval for the repairs completed/approved.  Mr ******* approved the repairs knowing the engine issue had not been addressed at that time.

   

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