Terms and Conditions of Business

1. Definitions

In these Terms:

• “Business” means [Business Name], registered in England and Wales under company number [number], with registered office at [address].
• “Customer” means the individual or business instructing the Business.
• “Vehicle” means the Customer’s vehicle or any related parts.
• “Works” means restoration, repair, fabrication, sourcing, storage, transport, and associated services.
• “Estimate” means an initial non-binding approximation of costs.
• “CCCR” refers to Cotswold Classic Car Restorations LTD.

2. Application of Terms

2.1 These Terms govern all agreements between the Business and the Customer.

2.2 By instructing the Business to commence Works, the Customer accepts these Terms.

2.3 These Terms override any conflicting customer terms unless expressly agreed in writing.

3. Estimates and Pricing

3.1 All Estimates are based on visible inspection only and are non-binding.

3.2 Classic vehicle restoration is inherently unpredictable. Hidden defects, corrosion, prior poor workmanship, missing parts, and structural issues may only become apparent during disassembly.

3.3 The Customer acknowledges that:

• final costs may exceed the Estimate;
• timescales are indicative only;
• additional work may be required.

3.4 The Business will notify the Customer before carrying out material additional work where reasonably practicable.

3.5 If the Customer does not approve necessary additional work, the Business may stop work and invoice for all Works completed up to that point.

4. Deposits and Payments

4.1 Progress invoices will be issued weekly detailing the work undertaken so far.

4.2 Payment terms are on receipt of invoice unless otherwise agreed in writing with CCCR.

4.3 If non-payment of invoices, totalling £5,000.00 or a maximum of two invoices of any value, is reached, CCCR reserve the right to suspend work until payment/s are made.

4.4 Final payment must clear before release of the Vehicle.

4.5 Late payments accrue interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable, or at 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate for consumer accounts.

5. Storage Charges

5.1 The Business may charge storage at £25.00 plus VAT per day where:

• work is paused at the Customer’s request for longer than 7 days;
• payment is overdue causing the project to be put on stop;
• the Vehicle is not collected within 7 days of completion.

5.2 Storage charges continue until collection.

5.3 Vehicles left uncollected for more than 90 days may be sold to recover unpaid sums, subject to applicable UK law and reasonable notice.

6. Customer Responsibilities

The Customer warrants that:

6.1 They own the Vehicle or have authority to instruct the Works.

6.2 They have disclosed all known faults, prior damage, and modifications.

6.3 They will remove personal possessions before delivery.

6.4 They understand original parts removed may be disposed of unless prior written request is made.

6.5 Any supplied parts are fit for purpose and if supplied parts cause additional cost, CCCR does not bear the expense.

7. Parts and Materials

7.1 The Business may source original, reproduction, or aftermarket parts unless otherwise agreed.

7.2 Availability of rare parts cannot be guaranteed.

7.3 The Business is not liable for delays caused by suppliers.

7.4 Used parts carry no warranty unless expressly stated.

7.5 Customer-supplied parts:

• are installed at the Customer’s risk;
• void any related workmanship warranty where failure arises from those parts.

8. Timeframes and Delays

8.1 Any completion date is an estimate only.

8.2 The Business is not liable for delays caused by:

• parts shortages;
• specialist subcontractors;
• hidden defects;
• supply chain issues;
• force majeure.

8.3 Time is not of the essence unless agreed in writing.

9. Subcontracting

9.1 The Business may subcontract specialist works including engine machining and plating.

9.2 The Business remains responsible for reasonable care in selecting subcontractors.

10. Risk and Insurance

10.1 Risk in the Vehicle remains with the Customer except for loss or damage caused by the Business’s negligence.

10.2 The Customer must maintain adequate insurance at all times.

10.3 The Business maintains motor trade cover, but this may not cover full market or sentimental value.

10.4 The Customer must disclose if the Vehicle exceeds £50,000.00 in value.

11. Test Drives and Movement

11.1 The Customer authorises road testing, transportation, and workshop movement where reasonably necessary.

11.2 The Business may use trade plates where lawful.

11.3 Fuel used during testing may be charged.

12. Limitation of Liability

12.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for:

• death or personal injury caused by negligence;
• fraud;
• any liability that cannot be excluded under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

12.2 Subject to clause 12.1:

• the Business’s total liability is limited to the amount paid by the Customer for the specific Works giving rise to the claim;
• the Business is not liable for indirect, consequential, or economic loss.

12.3 The Business is not liable for deterioration caused by pre-existing corrosion, age, fatigue, hidden defects, or previous repairs.

12.4 The Business gives no guarantee that restoration will preserve or increase market value.

13. Warranty

13.1 Workmanship is warranted for 12 months from completion.

13.2 This warranty excludes:

• normal wear and tear;
• rust recurrence outside repaired areas;
• customer misuse;
• racing or competition use;
• improper maintenance;
• component / part failure;
• third-party interference.

13.3 Warranty claims must be returned to the Business for inspection.

13.4 The Business has the sole right to remedy defective work.

13.5 By signing agreement to these T’s and C’s, the customer agrees that if they have any grievance relating to CCCR in any way or form they will engage fully with our complaints procedure, if this has not been adhered to, and fully exhausted for CCCR to resolve any issue, rights are then waived in relation to future action against CCCR.

13.6 Warranty is void if vehicle worked on by another garage without prior CCCR agreement in writing.

14. Abandoned Vehicles

14.1 Vehicles left uncollected for over 90 days after written notice may be treated as abandoned.

14.2 The Business may exercise a lien and/or dispose of the Vehicle in accordance with applicable law to recover:

• unpaid invoices;
• storage fees;
• associated costs.

15. Cancellation

For consumers:

15.1 If the agreement is made off-premises or at a distance, rights under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 may apply.

15.2 If the Customer requests work to begin during any statutory cancellation period, they agree to pay for all work carried out up to cancellation.

15.3 Bespoke parts ordered specifically for the Vehicle may be non-refundable.

16. Photographs and Marketing

16.1 The Business may photograph or video the Vehicle and Works for records and promotional use.

16.2 The Customer consents unless they opt out in writing before submitting the vehicle for Works.

17. Data Protection

17.1 The Business will process personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

18. Complaints

18.1 Complaints must be raised in writing within 14 days of discovering an issue.

18.2 The Business must be given reasonable opportunity to inspect and remedy.

18.3 No third-party inspection or remedial work may be commissioned without written consent from CCCR if a claim is intended.

Customer Complaint Procedure

a. How to Make a Complaint

If a customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the services provided, they should notify CCCR within 14 days.

Complaints can be made:

• in writing by email;
• by post.

The complaint should include:

• customer full name and contact details;
• vehicle registration and/or chassis number;
• description of the complaint;
• relevant dates;
• supporting photos or documents, if applicable.

b. Acknowledgement of Complaint

CCCR will acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 5 working days.

Acknowledgement will include:

• confirmation the complaint has been received;
• name of the person handling the complaint;
• outline of the next steps.

c. Investigation

CCCR will investigate the complaint thoroughly, which may include:

• reviewing job sheets and invoices;
• inspecting the vehicle;
• interviewing technicians involved;
• reviewing parts supplied and fitted;
• consulting independent specialists if necessary.

The customer must allow reasonable access to the vehicle for inspection before any remedial action is considered.

Failure to provide access may affect the garage’s ability to resolve the complaint.

d. Response Time

A full written response will normally be provided within 14 working days.

If additional time is required due to complexity, particularly for restoration projects, the customer will be updated with:

• reason for delay;
• expected completion date of the investigation.

e. Resolution Options

Where a complaint is upheld, CCCR may, at its sole discretion:

• repair or rectify the issue;
• replace defective parts;
• offer partial refund where appropriate;
• offer goodwill compensation without admission of liability.

CCCR reserves the right to choose the most appropriate remedy.

f. Independent Inspection

If the customer disputes CCCR’s findings, either party may request an independent engineer’s report.

Unless otherwise agreed:

• the requesting party pays initially;
• costs may later be reassigned depending on findings.

The independent report will be considered in good faith but will not automatically determine liability.

g. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

If the complaint cannot be resolved internally, both parties may agree to refer the dispute to an Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme, such as:

• The Motor Ombudsman or RMI Trade Body;
• a recognised trade association mediation service.

Participation in ADR does not remove either party’s legal rights.

h. Legal Action

No legal proceedings are permitted until the above procedure has been completed in full.

The parties agree to make reasonable efforts to resolve disputes amicably.

i. Clauses

19. Governing Law

19.1 These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

19.2 Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.