Driver, 44, who left her car for a Kwik-Fit MOT is astonished to see it in a DISABLED BAY risking a £75 fine as 'arrogant' mechanic popped to the bank

Driver, 44, who left her car for a Kwik-Fit MOT is astonished to see it in a DISABLED BAY risking a £75 fine as 'arrogant' mechanic popped to the bank.
  • Nicola Finn, 44, confronted the man who had parked her car in a disabled bay 
  • Kwik-Fit worker was dressed in uniform and said he was test driving the car 
  • A fixed penalty charge for parking in a disabled bay tends to be around £75
  • Bosses apologised to Ms Finn and said they would make donation to charity 

By Rachael Burford For Mailonline[1]

Published: 13:43 BST, 31 March 2017 | Updated: 17:50 BST, 31 March 2017

A woman spotted her car parked in a disabled bay after she had taken it for an MOT at Kwik-Fit.

Nicola Finn, 44, was astonished to see her Vauxhall Adam in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire town centre just two hours after she had taken it into the garage chain on March 18. 

An outraged Ms Finn waited by her car until the mechanic, dressed in a Kwik-Fit uniform, emerged from a nearby bank, reports the Mirror[4]. 

Nicola Finn, 44, was astonished to see her Vauxhall Adam in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire town centre just two hours after she had taken it into Kwik-Fit for an MOT 

She said the mechanic claimed he was following 'normal' procedure and taking the car for a 'road test' but could not explain why he had parked in the disabled space. 

'This Kwik-Fit worker was clearly not disabled so it's an insult to people who actually are,' she said.  

'When I confronted him in the street he couldn't explain why it was in a disabled bay.

'He said he was doing banking for work and then he just got back into my car and drove off.'

'He didn't even offer me a lift. I had to walk 15 minutes back to the Kwik-Fit garage - I was absolutely fuming.'

She added that the mechanic did not even offer her a lift in her own car.  

After Ms Finn arrived back at the garage she was not charged for her MOT. 

Bosses also apologised and offered to make a donation to a disability charity.

The mechanic had parked her car in a disabled bay (pictured) while he went to the bank 

She said: 'They tried to offer me the MOT at a reduced price but I refused to pay a penny. I complained to customer services and they told me the man was doing the banking for work.

'I couldn't care less what shop he went into, he shouldn't be driving my car without permission.' 

Anyone who is caught parking in a disabled bay without a Blue Badge receives a Penalty Charge Notice.

This varies depending on who owns the car park but is usually around £75. 

A Kwik-Fit spokesman told the Mirror the company had apologised.

He added: 'We have refunded the cost of her MOT and service and offered her next service and MOT free of charge as a further apology.

'We have also offered to make a donation to a local charity for people with disabilities.

'We often have to take cars on road tests and we have strict policies governing these.

'An investigation is being undertaken.' 

References

  1. ^ Rachael Burford For Mailonline (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ e-mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  3. ^ 76 View comments (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  4. ^ the Mirror (www.dailymail.co.uk)
Source