Doing what you were asked

legal updates

This does not show that the duty of reasonable care and skill was breached.

Read our disclaimer keyboard_arrow_down

This website content is intended as a general guide to law as it applies to the motor trade. Lawgistics has taken every effort to ensure that the contents are as accurate and up to date as at the date of first publication.

The laws and opinions expressed within this website may be varied as the law develops. As such we cannot accept liability for or the consequence of, any change of law, or official guidelines since publication or any misuse of the information provided.

The opinions in this website are based upon the experience of the authors and it must be recognised that only the courts and recognised tribunals can interpret the law with authority.

Examples given within the website are based on the experience of the authors and centre upon issues that commonly give rise to disputes. Each situation in practice will be different and may comprise several points commented upon.

If you have any doubt about the correct legal position you should seek further legal advice from Lawgistics or a suitably qualified solicitor. We cannot accept liability for your failure to take professional advice where it should reasonably be sought by a prudent person.

All characters are fictitious and should not be taken as referring to any person living or dead.

Use of this website shall be considered acceptance of the terms of the disclaimer presented above.

We had a car in for repair. Our customer instructed us to replace the turbo and supplied a second-hand unit. It was all ok when we completed the repair and did our checks but a about a week later our customer returned complaining his car started to lose power again. We had a look at the car, and it looks like the EGR valve is faulty. The customer says the valve should have been checked at the initial repair and we have to rectify the problem free of charge. Is it so?

It is worth remembering that any repair garage has the duty of reasonable care and skill implied into a contract with its customers – be it a consumer or a business. This duty is not absolute. The test is whether the work is performed in a way in which an ordinary competent garage would do the job. As long as the work is competently performed, there may be an expectation but not necessarily a duty that the repair will fix the problem. It may not always happen. Modern cars are extremely complex. Sometimes problems need to be addressed by process of elimination or one at a time, when further faults may only come to light when the initial issue is fixed.

You customer asked you to replace the turbo unit, which you did. A problem with the EGR valve appears to be a separate matter and does not show that the duty of reasonable care and skill was breached.

DMS NavigatorDealer Management System software for Car Sales, Aftersales and eCommerce

Our dealers use us to help them be more Efficient and Profitable!

You can use our Dealer and Lead Management software to integrate all dealership departments, both online and physical ; providing all in-house functions; Invoicing, Stock Management, Accounting and Marketing as well as interfacing for advertising, ecommerce and more.

Kiril MoskovchukTrainee SolicitorRead More by this author

Related Legal Updates

The omni-channel approach and distance sales

The conclusion of a contract when purchasing a vehicle occurs when a deposit or the full purchase price is paid.

A New Case – What Do We Need From You?

You might be thinking, “Why do my thoughts and comments matter?”

Always prep, check, then check again

If you state that every vehicle comes with a new MOT, then ensure that they do!

How to legally get rid of an uncollected vehicle

Unlike a notice to collect goods, a notice of intention to sell uncollected goods can be used for all types of conventional bailment, and not just where the goods were left for repair, valuation, or storage.

What are your legal obligations once you have a customer’s vehicle?

Bailment is one of the most common legal relationships that many businesses find themselves in with consumers.

The finance industry focuses on durability, and misses the point!

There is plenty of sound legal authority that makes clear a buyer of a used vehicle must expect that faults will develop sooner or later.

Deposit and Fair Contractual Terms

Explore the intricacies of contract commitments and the bounds of consumer rights in our latest analysis, where a £3000 deposit dispute underscores the significance of clear terms and buyer responsibilities.

Get in touch

Complete the form to get in touch or via our details below:

Phone
01480 455500
Address

Vinpenta House
High Causeway
Whittlesey
Peterborough
PE7 1AE

By submitting this quote you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.