As a pensioner, I entrusted my beloved low-mileage classic Mini to a garage in Northampton for repairs on its automatic gearbox last September. I had plans to participate in a 1,000-mile charity drive to support multiple sclerosis, so I wanted to ensure my car was in top condition. However, it has now been eight months and my car is still not in my possession.
I specifically chose Kingsthorpe Precision Engineering, trading as AP2 World, because their website touted them as leaders in classic Mini repairs. The owner, Martin Altria, assured me that the job would cost £2,400 and be completed within three weeks.
Unfortunately, I have been receiving various excuses for the delay. The most recent one being a claim that the air conditioning was faulty and required a £400 part. Reluctantly, I purchased the part and had it sent to the garage. That was six weeks ago, and my car is still not returned to me.
As a full-time carer for my disabled wife, I cannot afford to hire a lawyer since my Mini’s value is £10,000. I deeply miss driving my car and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
DG, Dronfield
Initially, seeking advice from the police seemed like a reasonable course of action to retrieve my Mini. Fortunately, the police were able to communicate with the garage and ensure the return of my vehicle. The garage claimed they were holding onto the car due to an outstanding bill of £2,345, which I insist was never sent to me nor mentioned as the cause for the prolonged delay.
The police suggested that I settle the bill but add a note of “paying under protest” to signal my intention to take further action. This payment is a requirement under “liens” law, allowing the garage to retain possession of the vehicle until the outstanding payment is made.
Regrettably, the police deemed this issue a civil matter and advised me to have the car assessed for unsatisfactory repair work. If the repairs did not meet expectations, I could file a complaint with Trading Standards and pursue repayment through the small claims court.
Reluctantly, I paid the invoice and an additional £160 to retrieve my car. However, upon inspection, it became evident that the repair work had not been properly executed. Our attempts to secure a refund on your behalf were fruitless as we received no response from Altria via email or phone.
You have taken the necessary step of reporting the company to Trading Standards, and you are also considering taking action in the small claims court. The small claims court process does differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland but is generally seen as a last resort. Please note that a court fee, approximately £200 in this case, must be paid. We wish you the best of luck with your endeavors.
Are there any readers who have had positive experiences with classic Mini repairs? We would love to hear from you.
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