Urgent help required, been ripped off by mobile mechanic

[Mrs_T]

Hi,

I really need some help. I had seen a mobile mechanic advertised, and my car needed to be repaired. He came out and told me what was wrong with the car, it had been losing oil and water and over revving. He came and said the head gasket was going and also should change the cambelt. He quoted me £450 which i agreed to. He spent 3 days working on the car.

 

When my husband took the car out a week later (he didnt get a chance before due to work) the engine started smoking and there was oil all over the road and car engine. We tried to contact the mechanic who said he was very sorry and will come out and fix it, that he may not have tightened a pipe properly. This was 2 weeks ago, he has said on numberous occasions that he wil be out and hasnt turned up, when we ring he apologises again that hes been busy, gives us another date and still doesnt come, we have had enough, hes now not answering the calls at all or replying to messages.

 

I have had to declare the car as SORN now and just had enough. I have no idea what my legal options are. I have no business address for him or email address.

 

Can anyone help? If i go through small claims court will it cost me more? I just cant afford to repair the car again and also pay court costs.

 

Thanks in advance for any help and advice you can give me.

[caro]

Depending on how much you claim the court costs shouldn't be a lot, but you need an address to send the papers.

 

Where did you see the advert? That may be a route to getting an address.

[Mrs_T]

He had advertised on facebook (i know, i shouldnt have been so daft) but he had loads of good recomendations. I have his name and 2 different mobile numbers for him but thats it

[caro]

Lesson learned I guess. Have you tried googling his phone numbers to see if that throws anything up, although frankly I think it's doubtful.

[yellowsleeves]

In a similar situation, I got a family friend to phone him, under my supervision pretending they needed work doing on a car. Due to working 8-8 everyday, we agreed I'd drop the car off at his house on the way to work.

 

Make sure it is his house.

 

Then a letter before action.

[Mrs_T]

I have tried getting a friend to contact him and he's just not replying to anyone. I have found him on the electerol roll but have to pay to get his address.

Do you know if the police will get involved? I'm really at my wits end now.

Thanks for any help

[renegadeimp]

Police wont do anything. You need to contact trading standards. Try some of the methods listed here to trace him, or perhaps post a facebook link and a CAG member could track them down.

[Mrs_T]

Thanks, would trading standards help me get my money back? I'm not too good with legalities.

His Facebook page is Leicester mobile mechanics, and his profile picture is his business card.

We have been very patient with him and haven't been nasty, we just want the matter sorting, really can't believe people can do this and get away with it.

[renegadeimp]

Doubtful. As already advised, you would need to track him down and sue him.

[renegadeimp]

http://www.facebook.com/LeicesterMobileMechanics?fref=ts

 

At least it gives his name and phone number.

[Mrs_T]

I did get a receipt but didnt have his address on it, I will check and see if a vat number Is on it.

Thanks again

[Mrs_T]

Oh I have had a reply from him! I will keep u posted!

[Mrs_T]

Hi I just looked back for his address but its gone, could you please post it again for me. Thanks

[HAWC]

Postcode from Facebook LE16 9TX

[renegadeimp]

Yea, looks like my info was moderated. Didnt realise it was his home address. ALthough 5 mins with google brings up the same info.

[stu007]

Hi

 

I would also recommend that you take a screenshot of that facebook page with there advertisement and keep it for your records.

[Mrs_T]

Hi, i have been taking screen shots of everything to do with him, thanks:)

[matt v atos]

Hi what happend regarding your post #12

[Mrs_T]

Hi, he's been in touch and said he will be out on Monday at 9am to sort it, I don't think he will show but have to give the benefit of the doubt, even though he's said it a few times before

[renegadeimp]

Why monday if he works every day of the week? You should be the priority for him.

[HAWC]

Does he have a Limited Company, If he does, what is it?

[Mrs_T]

Surprise surprise he hasn't turned up and wont answer calls. His business is called Leicester Mobile Mechanics.

Does anyone know my next step now? We have given him plenty of opportunity to fix it.

I had a mechanic out yesterday to look at the engine and spotted 2 holes in the silicone that sits on the side of the head gasket, so looks deliberate as the oil is just spilling through them.

Thanks again for any help

[Mrs_T]

Small claims court it is by the looks of things, we did tell him he would be reported to trading standards and he offered a refund, havent heard from him again, so i dont think we have any choice, cant seem to get a street name from his postcode, but i will track him down one way or another! There really are some [problematic] about!

[Mrs_T]

Hi, is there anychance u could email me the address u found for him if u stil have it? hes completely disappeared of the face of the earth! thanks

[renegadeimp]

I doubt you will be able to find him. He looks to be a rogue trader, and now he has gone 'underground', even getting rid of his FB page.