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On 23 March I contacted my garage about needing a WOF. They subsequently picked my car up on 24 April and have had it ever since! My car is a 1979 Ford Escort. I told them there seemed to be a problem changing gear and was told it was possibly a problem with the clutch. They checked and told me the clutch was fine and the problem seemed to be with the carburetta and the cost would be approximately $600.00. Since then I have had very little information from the garage other than they have sent the car off to two different people to have the carburetta fixed. At no stage have they kept me informed as to what the repairs might cost and how long it would take . . .in fact they didn't tell me until I contacted them on 19 June they had sent the car out of their garage to be fixed. I now find the car is with the latest person to work on it and he demands payment before releasing the car. I have been told the car still has a problem but that an account of around $1500.00 needs to be paid. I believe my garage should be responsible for getting the car back to their workshop and covering the costs as they authorised work to be done without my approval. I can then negotiate with them as to exactly what the payment will be. Am I correct?

Hi there,
That is correct, I would expect a garage to keep its customer informed of the progress of a vehicle in their care, and either ask for permission to send the vehicle out of their shop for outwork or let you know that it is beyond them and they recommend the vehicle be taken elsewhere.
At this stage, your contract is with the original company and not a 3rd party. Any outwork should be billed to the company who hired them.