why not Nissan? I mean, my favourite is Toyota but it's more expensive, that's the problem...but, just out of curiosity, why not Nissan Qashqai though, is it that bad?

I know, but keeping that car I found was too risky. Way too many parts were damaged and it would be like getting a 10 years old car with no service history. )) I was thinking, maybe I'd go for Nissan Qashqai as it's cheaper, then again since I'm not an engineer I wouldn't be able to check the car. The safest way is to buy from an official dealership.. but I don't have money to buy a brand new car ((

Hi everybody and apologies for being so late with this update. As mentioned in my previous posts, I rejected their initial offers as I found them unacceptable. Later they agreed that their offers were not good enough and even they wouldn't accept it. LOL After that, their insurance company got involved, they passed the matter to a company called Northern Assessors to evaluate the damage. Then they passed the matter to Loss Adjuster who approached me with two new offers: 1. They would buy a new Short Engine (lower part) from Toyota and let Motorman do the job. Also, all damaged parts (if they'd find one) would be replaced. They offered 1 year warranty on a Motorman workmanship and 2 years warranty on Short Engine from Toyota. 2. They'd write off the car and pay me £13,600. I opted for the second option because I no longer trust that engine as it's been disassembled and then reassembled at least 4 times by now, besides, when they said to me that "they'd also replace all damaged bits and pieces" that "bits and pieces" completely put me off this vehicle. I am not an engineer and I wouldn't know what they fit in the engine. I couldn't trust KF ever again. I'd rather take the money and buy a new "used car" with a factory built original engine in it and with full service history. Anyway, this case is closed now By the way, they have compensated all loses incurred during this dispute (insurance, residents permit, etc). In addition they agreed to let me keep the courtesy car for another 14 days that would enable me to visit places to buy a new car. Thank you all for your support and advice.

But they said it's with Motorman somewhere up north. I'll give KF a call to get some updates and then might call my insurance. Cheers for your advice.

No, I didn't know I had to. Should I notify them?

No, I declared my car SORN. I hope they do more damage, then I'll ask them to buy me a 2013 RAV4. ) I find this whole story pretty amusing to be honest

Actually I have not claimed it yet. I emailed them and asked them to advise me accordingly but haven't heard from them yet. I'm going to give them 48 hours from now, if they fail to come back to me within this time frame then I'll take action. Funny thing is, I don't even know where my car is...

Crying??? LOL

heliosuk Thanks for the advice but I'm prepared to pursue the line nevertheless.

Thanks Mike_hawk, Much appreciated!! In my last email, I already set out exactly what I believe they should do which is: I want and I have a right in law to have my property restored to the condition it was in before it was damaged through Kwikfit's apparent negligence. The engine needs to be from 2009 or later and needs to have the same mileage of my car or less, with no history of neglect or accident (from DVLA). It is essential that you provide - in writing on KwikFit headed paper - a full trail of information on the replacement, including where it came from and what its history is. Servicing of the new engine (or a new vehicle) must be verified through any Toyota dealer hence I will need to have the engine serial number and registration or I would prefer the work on my vehicle to be done by a Toyota specialist especially if it involves the engine. I would also want a full engine warranty of at least 24 months. Should they find it hard to find exactly the same engine, then they'd better buy a new one. If they reckon that, fitting a 2008 scrap engine (which was involved in a collision and has no history whatsoever) in 2009 car is OK and it doesn't devaluate the price of a car, then they're most welcome to buy it off me and resell it later.

Hi heliosuk, Thanks for your reply. How exactly am I asking for trouble? Are they going to tell me they don't care and I should therefore P off?? Whatever did I do wrong in this instance? They killed my car, took responsibility for it and now I want my car (my property!) back. Simple as. If it is the case of "longer it goes less chance I have to have my car back" then I might as well rob any bank tomorrow, hide for a few months and assume that "longer I hide more chance I have to get away with it". Anyway, I already refused their offer because it was a) unacceptable; b) insulting. After that they wrote back to me: Dear Mr ########## We have made further discussions this morning on the issue with an engine replacement on your RAV4 following the unfortunate circumstances with regards to our service. We recognise the issues of course that you have raised with the age of the engine and we are investigating to ensure that we can provide an acceptable alternative solution. I would like to inform you that we have also now asked our Insurer to be involved in the discussion. In the meantime, I would like to assure you of the continuation of the use of the hire car we have provided while we seek resolution. I obviously appreciate the fact that they are dealing with this case but if they fail to restore my property to the condition it was in before it was damaged through Kwikfit's apparent negligence I'll take them to court (also I will directly contact the CEO as well as other board members). P.s. I forgot to mention that they took my car from Toyota to Motorman without my consent. I wonder if they had right to do so... The longer this waiting goes on, the deeper the pain for KF as they are paying for courtesy car and now they've agreed to pay for a full resident's permit as well as my local council refused to renew temp residents permit. As mentioned before, restitution is all I'm asking for (whether it's a new engine, a new car or ... whatever it might be).

Ah sorry, I meant 2009 or later LOL, losing my head I think ))) Yes, I would prefer Toyota to do the job and I think that's exactly what I'll be asking them to do.

I don't want to take advantage of the situation and I don't want anything that doesn't belong to me, but in this case I feel they should provide either: 1. A new engine; 2. 2009 engine or earlier, the one that has 11K or less mileage (with full service history); 3. or a 2009 (or later) RAV4 (11K or less mileage) with full service history. All I'm asking them to do is to bring my car back to the state it was before going to that God damn place AKA KwikFit.

Yes, I would have thought so. When Toyota told me that only the bottom part of my engine needed to be replaced/repaired I was somewhat puzzled, because earlier the RAC mechanic had told me the opposite. I no longer know who I can trust...

Thanks Mike. RAC said to speak to their legal team (I'm gonna do it tomorrow). Toyota told me that only a bottom part of the engine needs to be replaced (a few parts U suppose), but afterwords the KF regional director told me that Motorman suggested a new engine because replacing a few parts at the bottom is like asking for a trouble in the future. If the car was old or oldish I wouldn't be making much noise, I guess I'd settle with some old engine and get over this whole nightmare.

stu007 Yorky2008 dw190 Surfer01 Thank you guys, you support is highly appreciated. I'll contact RAC legal team, my solicitor and the BBC watchdog (and perhaps a few other law firms and media agencies) tomorrow and will post here about the outcome. If KF want to play games with decent people I'll try to give them something to play with. Cheers, much love and hugs to you all!!!

Surfer01 Thanks mate. They can read my posts as much as they like, it won't change anything - under no circumstances their recent offer will be accepted. I will sell my soul, my house and my family and take them to court. By the way, I've been working for media at a top level for 19 years (mainly government contracted) and I could easily make a massive scandal out of it resulting quite a few KwikFif heads surely falling off. I might as well contact the KwikFit CEO whom I dealt with some time ago through my company. :-x

Surfer01 Thank you very much for your reply and advice. I have been very nice, reasonable and considerate up to this point, but after this email I feel I've had enough. I've never taken anyone to court (LOL), so I wouldn't know how it's done. Do I hire a solicitor? ... but I can't afford paying for a lawyer or a solicitor

Hello again. I just received this email from KwikFit. They are offering 2008 engine (15K mileage) from a RAV4 that was involved in a collision as a replacement of my 2009 engine (11K) with absolutely no history of any kind of malfunction. I find it totally outrageous. Do you guys know who I can turn to? I want to take this publicity as far as I can. I could sue them if it was possible. Even if I am to lose this car for good, I will NOT accept this scrap engine. What steps should I take next? Here's the letter I received from them: ---------------------- Dear Mr ##########, I have been involved with working with our Operations Manager, ##### ##### and our first choice engine supplier Motorman to resolve the issues on your car. I understand that you have requested some details about the replacement engine and I can provide you with what I have received from Motorman. The vehicle is on site at Motorman’s St. Albans workshop awaiting our further instructions. Please note that the battery is completely dead on this vehicle, and subsequently this may need replacing after any work is carried out, but obviously we would try charging it up first before any requests are made. This would of course be supplied from Kwik-Fit. The proposed replacement engine is also on site at Motorman ready for installation as soon as the go ahead is agreed. I can confirm this is from a 2008 RAV4 2.0 vvti automatic – Reg No. SL08RFO and the mileage has been confirmed from our supplier at 15,495 miles when it was removed from the damaged vehicle, but unfortunately we are unable to obtain any service history for this vehicle. This vehicle had been involved in a rear end RTA collision in which there was no damage reported to the front end or engine compartment of the vehicle. We can confirm the mileage on your car and recognise that this could be a difference of approx. 1500 miles compared with the previous engine and this may be recognised as a small loss of value to you. We would be prepared to look at this for you after the engine is replaced. Should you confirm that you are happy to go ahead with this repair, we can get it started for you and ensure prompt return to ensure that we minimise the delay in rectifying the problems with the vehicle and the inconvenience of loss of the vehicle. I would invite you to contact ###### on ############# and advise also to customer.service@kwik-fit.com to allow us to move forward on this repair for you. Regards,

It does... because it came from Eurocars

dw190 Thanks. Actually they contacted me yesterday and brought a brand new courtesy car (Toyita Auris Hybrid).

ashmk Thank for your reply. Yes, I will certainly ask them to provide a written proof, just to make sure it has no history of neglect or accident.

dx100uk Thank you for reply. Good to know that there are some organisations which I can turn to if necessary. First I'm going to wait for their response and then I'll deal with the case accordingly. Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful. Gia

marmaris30 Thanks again. I'll get to speak to them tomorrow, let's see what they've to offer... Cheers Gia xxx

marmaris30 Thank you very much for your prompt response. It is pretty clear now. One last question though, let's say KwikFit came back to me with an engine that has 10K on the clock. How do I know it's true? How can I check it? Many thanks again.