Most people don't know much about what's underneath their cars, so when something goes wrong, they leave it up to the experts, but a local couple says a repair to their car wasn’t actually done and they paid twice to get it fixed.
When Lynn Barnes’ check engine light came on, she and her husband took her car to Beyer Automotive Group in Alexandria, Virginia.
“They ran a diagnostic, and the mechanic said the vehicle needed vacuum hoses,” Robert Barnes said.
According to the invoice, the parts were ordered and a few days later the "technician replaced hoses and cleared the check engine light."
But the car problems weren't over. The check engine light turned on again.
“He said it needs two more coils,” Barnes said.
Coils were replaced, but the car still wasn’t right, according to Barnes.
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“The car was on the diagnostic machine like four times,” he said.
Not willing to pay anymore for repairs, the couple drove off and, days later, took the car to another dealer when the check engine light came back.
“The fellow put it on the diagnostic machine and he tells me that it needs vacuum hoses,” Barnes said.
Barnes said the mechanic showed them the vacuum hose still in their car, held on by duct tape.
“Not only didn’t they not replace the hoses like they said they did, it wasn’t even new. It was taped up,” Barnes said.
In a statement, Beyer Automotive Group told NBC4 Responds, "We attempted to have the vehicle brought back to the store so that we could investigate and resolve the issue. We were not given that opportunity. After receiving their new repair invoice, we promptly refunded the entire repair invoice to the customer."
Days later, the couple were refunded $742.29.
“I was going to court if I didn't get any satisfaction from you all or from the credit card company,” Barnes said.
Next time you take your car in for repairs, ask the mechanic to show you the problem, take pictures if you have to and, if possible, ask to see the old part that was replaced.
Full statement from Beyer:
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Barnes' recent service visit. As a family owned and operated business, we have spent the last 43 years taking care of our customers. We want every customer to leave our facility fully informed, well cared for, and with the proper repair. Unfortunately, it appears as if our recent repair to the Barnes' vehicle did not correct their vehicle concerns. We attempted to have the vehicle brought back to the store so that we could investigate and resolve the issue. We were not given that opportunity. After receiving their new repair invoice, we promptly refunded the entire repair invoice to the customer.
