1. ESTIMATES An estimate given for the repair shall be valid for 30 days and will be subject to variations in the price of parts or materials between the date of estimate and the date of repair. It will also depend on further work or parts found to be necessary which will only be carried out with the consent of the Customer. A charge may be made for an estimate.
2. VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT) Any VAT shown on the estimate is at the rate in force at the time the estimate is prepared. The VAT charged on completion of the repair will be the rate applicable at that time.
3. RESTRICTIONS The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry out any work on any vehicle which in the opinion of management is considered to be unroadworthy, or to carry out work which would render the vehicle unsafe, illegal or which might have a detrimental effect on other parts of the vehicle.
4. DEPOSIT Where, exceptionally, the Company requires a deposit to be paid due to the nature of the work relative to the general condition of the vehicle, the deposit will become non-refundable once work has commenced. Should the Company decide not to proceed with the work then the deposit will be refunded in full.
5. COLLECTION The Company will only release the vehicle to the Customer after repairs are completed, unless it is requested by the Customer to release the vehicle to the Customer's agent.
6. STORAGE If a vehicle (whether or not repaired or serviced) is not collected, nor any arrangement made for its removal, then the Company may issue a written notice that the vehicle is deemed to be in storage at the Company's premises. Weekly storage charges at the rate applicable at the time of expiry of the written notice, may be imposed.
7. PAYMENT Unless other Account arrangements are in force, all repairs or works carried out shall be paid for in full before collection of the vehicle. At the option of the Company payment by cheque may result in the vehicle not being released until the cheque has been cleared.
8. LIEN and UNCOLLECTED GOODS The Company has the right to hold a vehicle after the completion of its repairs until such time as the account is paid in full. In addition, the Company may exercise its rights as regards uncollected goods under the Torts (Inference with Goods) Act 1977 and, if the goods are not collected when the work is completed, or before any notice to that effect expires, the Company may proceed to sell the goods subject to any notice under the Act. In this event, the vehicle will be sold at best market price and after deduction of the cost of the repair, plus other charges and expenses in connection with the sale, the balance will be returned to the Customer.
9. SUB-CONTRACT It may be necessary for the Company to sub-contract all or part of the work to other competent repairers.
10. REPLACEMENT PARTS All parts removed from the vehicle and replaced, other than those exchanged for replacement parts, or those subject to a warranty claim become the property of the company unless the customer requests their return prior to commencement of repairs.
11. PAINTWORK Where new paintwork is required and the metalwork is found to be rusted, every possible reasonable precaution will be taken to prevent such rust penetrating after completion of painting, but no guarantee can be given in this respect. If partial paintwork is required, every endeavour will be made to match the existing colour scheme, but no guarantee can be given of perfect colour match at this time or after.
12. DELAYS The Company will do its utmost to complete the repair by the date and time requested, but cannot accept any responsibility for delay resulting from the non or late availability of spares, or other reasons beyond the Company's control.
13. LIABILITY br> a) The Company will take reasonable care of the vehicle, while in its custody. The duty does not extend to items of personal property or business goods left in the vehicle. Customers should therefore ensure that all valuable items of personal property or business goods are removed from the vehicle prior to commencement of repairs. br> b) Where by agreement with, or on the instructions of, the Customer the vehicle is left outside the Company's premises, before or after normal business hours, on an unfenced part of the said premises or elsewhere, any risk of loss or damage howsoever occasioned, will be the Customers responsibility.
14. GUARANTEE The Company will guarantee all repair work against failure due to faulty materials or workmanship for a period of twelve months or 12,000 miles, whichever first occurs, provided that the vehicle is taken back to, or a third party repairer is authorised by, the Company.
CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS NOTHING HEREIN CONTAINED IS INTENDED TO AFFECT, NOR WILL IT AFFECT, A CUSTOMER'S STATUTORY RIGHTS UNDER THE SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES ACT 1982 OR THE UNFAIR CONTRACTS ACT 1977 OR ANY AMENDMENT THEREOF.