i was told over phone from heathrow engine center £600 . then when they looked at car they told me £1600 . then £2300 and more if i want all repairs doneg . the car is in london and i am in southampton. so what can i do . the car is w reg ford foces. the is wroth £2000 . what do i do or am i being taken for a ride . t johnson

If there one company that should have been put out of business YEARS ago, it is Heathrow Engine Centre. DO NOT TOUCH THESE PEOPLE WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S BARGE POLE AND RUBBER GLOVES!

You would be better simply taking the money they've quoted you and setting fire to it.

SHARK! 

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For every positive action, there's an equal and opposite government plan.

cheers for your reply i sopose i am better off leving car with them . not on less i can get some back up from C A B . so thanks again tintin97

I, like many others, have recently been shafted by this bunch of bodge jobbers! My advice to you would be to avoid leaving your car there. If that is no longer possible and you do not have the means to collect it (unrepaired!), make sure that when you pay you use a credit card - this give you some consumer protection. Also ensure that you receive a QUOTE from them IN WRITING detailing ALL the work to be carried out, preferably with some sort of time frame mentioned. Avoid rubbing them up the wrong way or they will demand that you pay them in cash - therefore losing you your valued consumer protection. When the work is complete collect the car and have it inspected by a PROFESSIONAL! If the work has not been done correctly you may instruct your credit card co. to retreive the cash and sue them for the cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

BEST OF BRITISH!

i've just had similar problems as mostof you. I'm picking up my Tigra tomorrow morning. Paid 800 deposit on card and paid 700 cash already. They say the engine has been replace with loads of other stuff too. The quote started at 900 but has now risen to 1500. They initially told me my car was in gloucester, next thing i know its in southall!! They pushed me in a corner where if i didnt want to proceed, i owed the 500 for labour and the pieces of dismantled engine would be placed in the boot, this meaning im 500 down, a car 200 miles away that doesn't have an engine, and the expense of getting it bought back so i can do it myself. Any tips on what i can do if i've been screwed?? fingers crossed they've changed there ways but ii'm not holding out much hope. I'd appreciate any advice guys!!

Firstly you need to note any obvious faults with the engine when you pick the car up. You could let them know at this stage that you are not happy with the work. It is my understanding that they don't do ANY good work. I had Warren Glendiinning from the local trading standards in Ealing contact them before I went to pick up my car. He was assured by the "manager" that all the work had been carried out to a satisfactory standard. When I picked the car up it had been previously started that morning to cover the majority of defects. There was vibration from the engine and tapping from the camshaft which I pointed out to the muppet who took my cash! I was told that the hydraulic tappets would "settle in" after a while. Not so. As predicted it had been bodged and by the time I got to Fleet services on the M3 it was sounding like a tin of rusty ball bearings and the timing chain was also loose and rattling. Will have it inspected by a main dealer shortly and decide where to go with it from there! There is no easy way to get around their devious and misleading terms and conditions, or to make use of their worthless "guarentee". Warren Glendinning is worth contacting for advice on 0208825863 but you will have to be patient! Try this link for more advice -

Moderator - Link to alternative forum removed, in line with MS terms of service.

BEST OF BRITISH LUCK!

I have also been ripped off by these con men cowboys. Do not even give them a chance to stay in business, Just tell everyone you know. My car had a "new" engine put in and they simply phoned me and said that unless I paid another £400 they could not install the engine. The guy on the phone sounded like he had just come out of jail.

Their gurantee is worthless as well.

DO NOT GO TO THE HEATHROW ENGINE CENTRE IN SOUTHALL - THEY ARE CROOKS AND SCUMBAGS