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Car failed NCT day after headlamp readjusted

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  • 21-09-2011 5:05pm
    #1
    ShooterSF
    Registered Users Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks. My mother brought her car to a garage yesterday to get her headlamps realligned as it was due and nct and the person who did her previus work had told her that was all that was left to be done but he wouldn't be around in time to do it.

    A little of topic but the garage tried to tell her she needed new break pads and even laughed off her request to have the car washed (they advertise a €5 wash).

    She paid €20 to have the headlights adjusted. It then went through the test and failed solely on the head lamps. Would she be entitled to a refund on the grounds of the service not being what was requested?

    Thanks in advance.


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    #2
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    it falls under the sale of goods and supply of services act.

    does her receipt say the head lights were done?


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    #3
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    No garage will offer an NCT guarantee on any pre-NCT checks. Lights could also be knocked out of alignment after the visit to the garage, but before the NCT, and there is no comeback.

    Pre-NCT checks are a complete waste of money.


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    #4
    UDP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭UDP


    Naomi Steep Formula wrote: »
    it falls under the sale of goods and supply of services act.

    does her receipt say the head lights were done?
    Yes, if she can show that she requested the service and that service was not done correctly then she can ask for a refund.

    There is a difference between having rights and actually getting the refund. It would be bad form and business practice to say no but if they do say not then your mother would have to go to the small claims court to get her rights enforced.


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    #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    UDP wrote: »
    Yes, if she can show that she requested the service and that service was not done correctly then she can ask for a refund............

    Hard to verify the service was not done correctly really.
    jor el wrote: »
    ......... Lights could also be knocked out of alignment after the visit to the garage, but before the NCT, and there is no comeback...........


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    #6
    UDP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭UDP


    RoverJames wrote: »
    Hard to verify the service was not done correctly really.
    Thats a good point. Not sure what way a judge would see it in the small claims court. The garage could argue that they did it correctly. It would be a cost prohibitive case to bring anyway.


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    #7
    Keith186
    Registered Users Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭Keith186


    I heard brand new taxis were failing NCT due to this.

    They were blaming it on hitting potholes outside the NCT centre. There's every possibility that the car could've hit a bump.

    Very very hard to prove the garage didn't align them properly IMO.

    They should realign them as a goodwill gesture but you'd have to pay the retest fee.


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    #8
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    Keith186 wrote: »
    I heard brand new taxis were failing NCT due to this.

    They were blaming it on hitting potholes outside the NCT centre. There's every possibility that the car could've hit a bump.

    Very very hard to prove the garage didn't align them properly IMO.

    They should realign them as a goodwill gesture but you'd have to pay the retest fee.
    hitting a pothole will not knock your lights off line if they are adjusted corectly! the garage most likely Fcuked up but will use this old wives tale about potholes to get away with shoddy work! OP tell your mother to find a reputable garage.


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    #9
    ShooterSF
    Registered Users Posts: 8,824 ✭✭✭ShooterSF


    Thanks guys, yeah I figured it might be hard to prove if the garage digs in their heels. She is calling out tomorrow but I dont fancy her chances given her account of his attitude so far.

    It wasn't a pre-nct check btw. I agree they're a waste. Our regular mechanic had fixed the exhaust that needed doing and checked the rest as a friend but he didn't get a chance to align the headlight and then she needed the car and so on... Googled it and went to the first crowd we found. Silly mistake in hindsight.


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    #10
    slimjimmc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,786 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    All she would be entitled to is the garage resetting the lights correctly or a refund. She won't be entitled to the cost of the NCT retest unless the garage claimed or accepted the contract on the basis the alignment would pass. Most garages don't provide such security.

    Assuming the lights failed on height, it's possible the level adjustment knob was not at zero when the garage set the lights (easy to prove it's their fault) or when the car was presented for the NCT.


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