Legal Question in Consumer Law in Michigan

Auto repair

After purchasing new tires, I took my car in to have a front end alignment and an oil change. I was not told by the mechanic that the alignments were done off-site. After doing the oil change, the mechanic was driving my car to get the front end aligned and the car stalled. He had forgotten to put oil back in my car and seized the engine. He has offered to replace my engine(104,000 miles) with a used engine (61,000). I kept excellent care of my car (I have full maintainance records) and feel I could have gotten much more mileage out of it. I have no idea how the other engine has been cared for, or if it of the same make and caliber (Rauch) of mine. What are my options in this case? I was supposed to get my car back on Friday, but was told nothing can even be done until Monday. I suggested I should be getting a rental vehicle until such time as my car is fixed and was told they would check with their insurance company and call me right back. They never returned my call. They are now closed for the weekend. Any light you could shed on my problem would be greatly appreciated.


Asked on 6/22/07, 8:48 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Renee Walsh LawRefs Nonprofit

Re: Auto repair

You can always sue for all your damages, including the cost of car rental and attorney fees.

In court, the case would boil down to the expert testimony and what the expert says about a suitable engine, therefore, you need to be informed before you make any moves. This means having an expert mechanic look at the situation including the used engine and give you an opinion, and perhaps discuss the situation with you and the negligent mechanic.

Document everything with names, dates, times, and content. Get the name and number of the insurance company yourself and if you feel comfortable, call them up directly.

(Please do not rely on this communication which does not create an attorney-client relationship and which is intended merely as a discussion of legal principles and is not to be relied upon.)

If you have any further questions or concerns, or want more specific answers, please contact me at www.lawrefs.com.

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Answered on 6/23/07, 1:52 am
Audra Arndt Audra A. Arndt & Associates, PLLC

Re: Auto repair

You are entitled to whatever it takes to put you and your car back in the same position/quality as it was when you took it in. This situation was clearly his fault.

You might want to sit down with a lawyer, hammer out the details, and have a letter sent to the mechanic to light a fire under his a$$.

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Answered on 6/27/07, 9:40 pm


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