Mechanic caused insane amount of damages to my car and endangered my life

[butterfly3325]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Colorado

One repair was my timing belt and water pump. I took my car in on May 12th for these to be replaced, $600. On July 12th I broke down and a new mechanic said it was my timing belt and water pump. He said they hadn't been replaced in years!!! Naturally, I took it back to the first shop, demanded they replace them correctly, and they did. Or so I thought, until October 23rd I broke down again. Again its my timing belt and water pump, which at this point I paid another $600 at a new place to be done correctly. I was told by the shop that did it correctly that despite the other shops shoddy business practices they were still somehow within the law.

The other repair is the most troublesome. I had them repair both my front axles on April 28th, $460 + labor. My car is currently broken down with severe transmission and differential damages over 40 miles from home. I have a statement from a repair shop that the cause of these damages is from the last person who replaced my axle. The bolt was not tightened and the pin was MISSING. I'm told that this endangered my life and if I drove a different type of vehicle it almost certainly would've killed me.

I should also note that I had spark plugs replaced by this shop that were not replaced and had to be done a week later. Also headlights that I had to take back days later that they did actually repair right the second time.

The damages to my car by this are $2000+. I can't even afford the tow home, much less the damages or a lawyer. I drive my car for a living, or did, and I have a limited amount of time to solve this problem before I lose my job. I have no idea how to proceed or what resources are available for me. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

 

[tranquility]

Absent agreement with the shop you believe caused your damages, nothing is going to solve this problem quickly or in a "limited time". Negotiate a resolution.

You may have a lawsuit that could be heard in small claims that you could do yourself. But, there is no guarantee of success. And certainly no guarantee of a timely resolution.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

I am confused why you keep taking your car to a shop you claim does not repair what they are paid to repair and does shoddy work, when the actually do.

 

[butterfly3325]

I expected that question The answer is all these repairs were done the first time at roughly the same time between April and June before things started going wrong. Then, like dominoes, the car started falling apart. I never returned to the shop for new repairs since things started going wrong. I only returned to make them fix what went wrong.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

As the repairs were completed over 6 months ago, I doubt you have any recourse for repairs actually completed as they would be out of warranty. Any proof of repairs that you paid for and were not completed, you may have civil recourse for, if you can prove the facts.

 

[umkemesic]

As the repairs were completed over 6 months ago, I doubt you have any recourse for repairs actually completed as they would be out of warranty. Any proof of repairs that you paid for and were not completed, you may have civil recourse for, if you can prove the facts.

Small Claims Court is specially designed for these situations.

 

[browndavid]

Yes go with the Small Claims Court...

 

[BL]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Colorado

One repair was my timing belt and water pump. I took my car in on May 12th for these to be replaced, $600. On July 12th I broke down and a new mechanic said it was my timing belt and water pump. He said they hadn't been replaced in years!!! Naturally, I took it back to the first shop, demanded they replace them correctly, and they did. Or so I thought, until October 23rd I broke down again. Again its my timing belt and water pump, which at this point I paid another $600 at a new place to be done correctly. I was told by the shop that did it correctly that despite the other shops shoddy business practices they were still somehow within the law.

Well obviously , it wasn't criminal. You do however need a statement from the newer machanic , or notation on the invoice with signiture that the repairs were never done.

You sue for that cost from the fist shop.

The other repair is the most troublesome. I had them repair both my front axles on April 28th, $460 + labor. My car is currently broken down with severe transmission and differential damages over 40 miles from home. I have a statement from a repair shop that the cause of these damages is from the last person who replaced my axle. The bolt was not tightened and the pin was MISSING. I'm told that this endangered my life and if I drove a different type of vehicle it almost certainly would've killed me.

Ok ,you have that statement ,make sure it's on letterhead ,signed and dated .
Sue for accual cost.

If you do not have acual statement on repair shop letterheads ,you going to have to subpeanea the new mechanic to testify in small claims ,and he'd better be able to show he is a qualified mechanic.

I should also note that I had spark plugs replaced by this shop that were not replaced and had to be done a week later. Also headlights that I had to take back days later that they did actually repair right the second time.

If you incured extra cost of second spark plug replacements ,include those cost.

The damages to my car by this are $2000+. I can't even afford the tow home, much less the damages or a lawyer. I drive my car for a living, or did, and I have a limited amount of time to solve this problem before I lose my job. I have no idea how to proceed or what resources are available for me. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

You can only sue for accual cost in small claims .

So have these statements on Auto Repair shop letterhead ivoices , or subpeanea the new qualified ( he'd better be able to show the court he's qualified ) ,to testify in court .