Legal Question in Consumer Law in Texas

If i was suing for car repairs that turned out having my car not drivable and more problems than before the transmission repair to get a check engine light off, what should my steps be and what should i state when speaking to a judge in small clains court?

I was told if I paid 3,000 dollars that all the issues and ODB codes would be taken care. It was a verbal contract that the check engine light would be off no matter what. That was the main reason I took the car in. I saw them go in and look at the mileage that read 215214 and when I received it back the odometer read 215570 plus an additional 30 miles the second time. So how did 386 miles appear on my car while in their possession?

When I agreed to take a look further at my car to diagnose the problem they said it was going to cost 695 dollars to remove, check, and install the transmission. They haven't replied to holding my car hostage, forcing me to get the repairs done there, or pay an additional 695 for installation. I was told the installation fee was included. When I finally receive my print out there was only one charge of 695 to remove, check, and install. So why when I told them that I was going to take it somewhere else and didn't want them to work on my car they then told me that it would cost an additional 695 dollars. So I agreed to them fixing my car so I wouldn't be paying out a lot of money for nothing.

I paid 3,000.00 dollars thinking that my car was fixed with no more problems and now I have more problems than before. When I start my car it shakes, when I drive my car it shakes, the air bag light is on now, all of a sudden my catalytic is a problem, as the struts, and the transmittion has no power. When I accelerate the car take off very slowly and there is no more kick in the transmittion. The air bag light was never on before and the codes don't state anything wrong with the catalytic converter. They told me the shaking was the struts but you have to be in motion for that to be possible. I got a second opinion and they said it was the motor mounts and the transmission wasn't installed correctly.

I told cottman that the only way I was to go though with this procedure was if I got a print out of all the labor and part costs when I picked up my car. Also to receive my old parts back to make sure this is what was needed for my car and none of this was done. I received a printout a week after receiving my car the second time and still no parts. I should have received all of this when I received my car. The print out had a flat rate of 3,000.00 dollars?? There is no state tax fees on any of the parts and I am to believe they just took the total of the parts and subtracted from 3,000 dollars to get the labor. It doesn't make sence. I was repeatedly lied to and pushed around. They never wrote up a contract or explained what work was to be done. I believed I've been wronged and believe if I pay $3,000.00 for car repairs that my car should be fixed and have no other problems without a breach of contract. I was never given the parts I asked for so I dont know if they even rebuilt the transmission, just put a switch in, or just put in some cheap parts in place of my existing parts.


Asked on 9/07/10, 2:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert Stephens Stephens & Stephens

Go to the DA and take a print out of what you submitted here. DO NOT threaten the auto repair shop with going. That will get you in trouble, just go, and take all your info and papers with you.

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Answered on 9/14/10, 4:45 am


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