I would really appreciate some advice. I read all the sections and I guessed this would be the best place, please move if its not.
Ok I was in Bishop Auckland today with my best friend, we were in her Audi A2. 3 weeks ago it has a new timing belt and water pump fitted by a mobile mechanic, she sourced the parts herself but from a reputable firm, the mobile mechanic has his own garage he's VAT registered etc.
It started making some really dodgy noises so I told her to pull over, we rang a garage she knew just 2 mins away and asked them to come to us. They arrived and this is what they found, 2 of the engine mounting bolts had sheared off, one was missing and the other was just sitting loose (this is on the drivers side, same side as the timing belt) the mount has come away and the engine had dropped so it was sitting on the timing belt.
Bearing in mind we are about 30 mile from home we decided to let the local garage who she trusted to tow the car away as theres no way we could drive it. I called the mobile mechanic told him what had happened and according to him he tightened the bolts up and he wouldnt have just left them, he then goes on to tell me to let him collect the car and he will look at it. Given the distance we were away we decided to let the garage nearby take the car they are going to put it on the ramps tomorrow to get a fuller picture of whats happened.
My question is what do we do about the mobile mechanic. I spoke to the garage who towed it and they said it has to be his fault, theres no way those bolts were tight given the fact theres only one left and its so loose he can spin it with his fingers. Her grandfather thinks she should let the mbole mechanic tow the car and repair the damage he has done but understandably she doesnt trust him. We thought about calling him in the morning and saying pay up to the garage who has the car or we go to trading standards/sue your butt.
Can someone please advise Im not sure how best to help her and shes in such a state I want to do the right thing.
Bookmarks