Can I call the police if the mechanic goes for a joy ride?

[sen10l]

Some people have stated that they tell mechanics "no test drives". I am on a friendly basis with some mechanics and I think it's a little too much to treat them so distrustfully. Furthermore, the people out front may not be the ones taking it for a joy ride, it could be the people out back whom you've never spoken to.

Therefore my solution is to put a sticky near the odometer stating the odometer reading and maybe a message "no test drives. Call XXX if required".

So if I get my car back with the odometer reading X km or more over the stated odometer reading, we can surely say it's been on a joy ride.

Can I call the police? After all, if you have not given permission - surely then they are "stealing" the car?

I want some sort of recourse for this behaviour rather than just telling them "I'm not coming back to you again".

(In Australia, they have harsh "anti-hoon" laws and some idiot mechanic drove a customers Lambo and the car got impounded! The owner could not get the car back under the harsh laws! [check wikipedia under anti-hoon legislation] I don't want idiot mechanics to drive my car!)

[ron10]

i think i would try and get him fired.that is a very upsetting thought.i don't think the police would do anything.the mechanic would just tell the police he had to drive it to check out his work.i guess the only logical thing to do is as you said.write down the milage and let everyone involved know you don't want your car driven without permission.:flag1:.

[coolman]

I never leave my car alone that I don't want them to drive. I stay and wait for the service to be done. That way I can keep and eye on it. IF I do have to leave it overnite(which I'm going threw right now) I write down the OD and tell the service manager that know one drives the car but me, and It's your ass if any one does.

[sen10l]

but the point of the message on the sticky, is that it clearly says "ask permission before taking it for a test drive" - therefore the mechanic has NO permission. That's grounds for calling the police is it not?

[sen10l]

Originally Posted by coolman

I never leave my car alone that I don't want them to drive. I stay and wait for the service to be done. That way I can keep and eye on it. IF I do have to leave it overnite(which I'm going threw right now) I write down the OD and tell the service manager that know one drives the car but me, and It's your ass if any one does.

but that's my point: what does "it's your ass if any one does" mean? What recourse do we have except "I'm not taking my car to you ever again"? There's got to be something more serious we can do - that's what my question is: what can we do about it?

The point of the letter/sticky, is that it gives the driver's clear and written instructions on the matter and therefore test drives can no longer be implicitly assumed as reasonable. The mechanic cannot tell the police anything because it's clearly written on the note that no test drives are allowed.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by sen10l

but that's my point: what does "it's your ass if any one does" mean? What recourse do we have except "I'm not taking my car to you ever again"? There's got to be something more serious we can do - that's what my question is: what can we do about it?

The point of the letter/sticky, is that it gives the driver's clear and written instructions on the matter and therefore test drives are no longer implicitly assumed as reasonable. The mechanic cannot tell the police anything because it's clearly written on the note that no test drives are allowed.

I understand what your saying. For me "it's your ass " means I won't buy cars and trucks there any more and at my dealership they know they would be loosing a lot of business.

[coolman]

I kind of had something like this happen one time and the mechanic got fired.

I was getting my truck serviced and the mechanic didn't know I was watching, when he hit the back of my truck with a tire iron to scare the other mechanic that was backing my truck out of the bay. I went out of my mind and went right over to the owners office.
That guy got the boot. So I think if you just let the service manager know your wishes and write the OD # down you would get some recourse if something were to happen. I got free oil changes on truck for a year also. I think the cops would just laugh at you.

[firengnred]

I had a Dodge truck that I left at the dealers for service a few years back. I borrowed my moms car to run a few errands when I see my truck going the other way down the highway so, I turned around and followed thinking this would be a unique opportunity to observe the mechanic test driving the vehicle without his knowledge. Well, I followed him straight to Dunkin Donuts where he went inside and came out with a box of donuts and drove back to the dealership. I approached the service manager and went off! Needless to say he was very apologetic and agreed that should not have happened. Never saw that mechanic around there again and trust me, I was there ALOT with that truck. Never buying another Dodge.

[The_Blur]

I would print out a piece of paper that reads, "No one drives my car except me. Signing below indicates that no one working here will drive my car without my written permission." Without documentation, you have no case.

[riderguy999]

and you are all losers if you think that your cars can be fixed without verifying the problems or the repairs. maybe you should try be a tech if only for one day. i know that you would not get through that day with people like you out there. you think that we are all scammers. try seeing a lawyer. or a bank.

I AM A PROUD CERTIFIED TECH AND WELL RESPECTED

or find another shop to go to

[camaro99]

Originally Posted by sen10l

Some people have stated that they tell mechanics "no test drives". I am on a friendly basis with some mechanics and I think it's a little too much to treat them so distrustfully. Furthermore, the people out front may not be the ones taking it for a joy ride, it could be the people out back whom you've never spoken to.

Therefore my solution is to put a sticky near the odometer stating the odometer reading and maybe a message "no test drives. Call XXX if required".

So if I get my car back with the odometer reading X km or more over the stated odometer reading, we can surely say it's been on a joy ride.

Can I call the police? After all, if you have not given permission - surely then they are "stealing" the car?

I want some sort of recourse for this behaviour rather than just telling them "I'm not coming back to you again".

(In Australia, they have harsh "anti-hoon" laws and some idiot mechanic drove a customers Lambo and the car got impounded! The owner could not get the car back under the harsh laws! [check wikipedia under anti-hoon legislation] I don't want idiot mechanics to drive my car!)

If my mechanic takes my camaro for a ride .....the repairs are free
If you call the kops they will take it for a joy ride then who do you call

(Check out my thread bout kid kop foundation)

[sen10l]

Originally Posted by riderguy999

and you are all losers if you think that your cars can be fixed without verifying the problems or the repairs. maybe you should try be a tech if only for one day. i know that you would not get through that day with people like you out there. you think that we are all scammers. try seeing a lawyer. or a bank.

I AM A PROUD CERTIFIED TECH AND WELL RESPECTED

or find another shop to go to

I'm actually more concerned with people doing cosmetic mods such as a clear bra (which I intend to put on the entire hood, all 4 fenders in full and the doors which may mean leaving the car there over night) - which do not require a test drive.

Obviously we're NOT talking about a problem that requires a test drive to resolve.

No need for calling people losers. You can state your point without being rude.

[homer2004]

Well I take mine to the GM dealer for service also my other mechanic is a trusted one whom i have had my car taken to for over 12 years now. so i know the places i am taking my baby to and I advice you to do the same.

[CloudXTC]

calling the police i dont think will work... best to let the service manager know no joyrides and you have taken down the odometer reading when u dropped it off.