Quote:
Originally Posted by ainarssems
What happened to 'Innocent unless proven guilty'? How can they ask the repairer to pay damages unless it's proven without a reasonable doubt that fault occurred because of poor fitting. Expert or no expert on many parts you cannot tell quality or condition without destructive disassembly. I understand a need to put it on invoice that part was supplied by owner so that there is a record of it if needed in future and maybe a disclaimer signed by owner that they understand that fitter does not take any responsibility for the part. And the owner should keep record where they bought part.
Where does it leave second hand parts, can you as a garage buy and fit second hand parts? And what happens if you as individual without public liability insurance fit a faulty part or don't fit it correctly yourself and crash because of that?
I have actually been refused by garage to fit used tyres for me because they said they cannot guarantee safety of used tyres, did not even want to fit them when I said they are my own tyres that I took of my car in the autumn when fitting winter tyres and now just want to put them back on car for summer season. Not a big issue, I just went to another garage but if everybody keeps doing that it will mean you cannot swap seasonal tyres unless you store them at the garage that does the fitting and pay them for storage.
I do most of repairs myself and many parts that I buy new are genuine parts from Germany or elsewhere abroad because they are a lot cheaper there. I cannot expect garage to spend their time hunting the best deal and setup accounts at supplier abroad and just get the 1 part for me. That would mean extra expenses and maybe even lesser part than I would get myself if I am forced to get the part by fitting garage who would only check a couple of suppliers they use.
I's possible that owner claimed on their comprehensive car insurance policy as accident, insurance company investigated, saw the failed recently replaced arm and decided to go after fitter/part manufacturer to recover costs.
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Fair point on merc guy, I read into what was said as his insurance refused based on results of investigation from garage so took the legal route on his own.
It really is sad isn't it, our whole society is now guilty until proven innocent and even then there's often a lingering suspicion that they're still guilty.
There are examples where parts simply aren't available. Take my URQ for example. Audi, being as 'customer' focussed as they stopped manufacturing parts for the URQ in 1997 despite leaning heavily on the car for marketing purposes they offer zero help when it comes to keeping these rare beasts on the road. Consequently garages could never source parts and I had to buy them, often direct from germany on the dreaded ebay.
Look at car dismantlers, if all garages only insist upon fitting new or recon sourced parts that they've bought then a lot of dismantlers would overnight become economically un-viable which in turn will result in more cars being crushed and more waste due to non recycling. One way to bolster the manufacturing industry (in other countries) mind!