Bongo Fury

After 9 months, I have a court date in relation to my over heating Bongo and the dealer who sold it. The judge has ordered that I provide cost estimates for the repair. My local garage have advised in excess of £ 1,000. Would people be able to advise costs to repair / replace the following:

a) Head gasket and cylinder head damage

b) Coolant hoses

c) Core plug

d) Radiator

Rough ball park figures please.

Many thanks,

Bill

Hi, ive just taken my beast in to have the head , head gasket etc replaced after an over heating episode, ive been quoted 1350 quid, just for those parts and labour! ithink with the extra stuff you are gonna be looking around £2000

quinnw wrote:After 9 months, I have a court date in relation to my over heating Bongo and the dealer who sold it. The judge has ordered that I provide cost estimates for the repair. My local garage have advised in excess of £ 1,000. Would people be able to advise costs to repair / replace the following:

a) Head gasket and cylinder head damage

b) Coolant hoses

c) Core plug

d) Radiator

Rough ball park figures please.

Many thanks,

Bill

a...£700
b.. £220
c...£5
d...£150

Labour £800-£1000

Ball park figures

sounds about right

Worth a Search, or ask another Bongo friendly garage for costs.

Ball park figures posted look about right though, so is the judge with BF, will he accept the gang's word, or does it have to be in writing, on headed paper?

Thanks everyone for the answers.

In reply to how formal does it need to be, the court order has just requested estimates, which the above is.

Thanks again.

Bill - Portishead

quinnw wrote:Thanks everyone for the answers.

In reply to how formal does it need to be, the court order has just requested estimates, which the above is.

Thanks again.

Bill - Portishead

I'd be wary here. I doubt the court will be satisfied with the word of us lot on BF. They will want estimates from garages. Its quite likely though that this will work to advantage as no garage in this situation will want to under-quote! But I would get 2 (minimum, 3 ideally but they need some idea of the cost range) estimates from garages (I don't see why one should not be a Mazda dealer since the car is a Mazda - that'll produce an eye watering cost!). Good luck - you deserve it.

I second what Mike said, if the Judge has 'ordered' that you provide estimates then these must be written estimates on headed paper from garages. I'm sure if you turn up without them it will be seen as a waste of the Courts time.

Steve L wrote:I second what Mike said, if the Judge has 'ordered' that you provide estimates then these must be written estimates on headed paper from garages. I'm sure if you turn up without them it will be seen as a waste of the Courts time.

Then he may ask for a Scott report.......................

Have you been to court before?
And IF you win do you think he will pay?
And IF you do will you get your costs back?
Good luck.

The Great Pretender wrote:

Steve L wrote:I second what Mike said, if the Judge has 'ordered' that you provide estimates then these must be written estimates on headed paper from garages. I'm sure if you turn up without them it will be seen as a waste of the Courts time.

Then he may ask for a Scott report.......................

Have you been to court before?
And IF you win do you think he will pay?
And IF you do will you get your costs back?
Good luck.

What is a Scott report oh wise one?

On the 'IF' front well, our man has decided to go to court so I'd say:

* You go to court because if nobody does you are effectively licensing unacceptable behaviour.
* If you go to court, remember why you did it (the principle at 1. above) but be braced for an unsatisfactory £ outcome
* Make sure you don't get sucked into spending lots of £'s pursuing him (there may be many who will offer services and make big promises but decide at teh outset how far you are preared to go)
* Travel in hope. I would expect, more than ever in these times, a decent court to recognise the importance of pursuing hard those who have caused financial distress to others through negligence or callousness on their part.
* Stay calm and reasonable at all times. You need to maintain the moral high ground and impress the court that you are a decent ordinary citizen who has been badly treated by this trader.
* Get those written estimates. Our word doesn't count, and the court will be impressed with your diligence if you have written estimates

Good luck - you deserve it by all accounts.

The judge will want to see the estimates from dealers. I will try and look out the costs of the replacement head, gasket and the rest, If you pm me with your address I will send a short statement anexing the copy account that will County Court compliant.
Ian G

When presenting evidence to small claims court make sure you are well prepared, when you have proper estimates you should provide copies to the court and to the defendant before the trial date. The court may reject documents presented on the day as the other side cannot respond. For the trial make up three files of the documents you want to rely on, Although the court will have them the judge will note proper presentation. You will need to explain how you have tried to resolve the matter with the defendant before you resorted to court action.
If the defendant turns up you will have the opportunity to ask him questions. So write down the questions you will ask and anticipate their replies.
I was at a trial where the owner of a new motorhome was claiming damages. I had inspected the motorhome and listed over 20 faults.
When the manager of the seller was asked why they had not corrected the faults on a pre delivery inspection he said "our warranty is dependant on the attitude of the customer" in other words we know their are faults but we will only put right if you complain. Although the defendant was legally represented the claimant won his case because it was well put together with photographs, documents and well presented.
Good Luck

Phew - thats some good advice from fatcatlawyer and motorwizard. Spot on I'd say