[l00ny]

My car was taken by these people almost 2 years ago, contacted all the relevant people, trading standards, police etc..No one wanted to know, yet when speaking to every 'legal' body I could, everyone were aware of them, except me (what a mug I am)..

The Heathrow place has now ceased to exist and the landlord of the property is now working their way through contacting the owners of various vehicles left behind, the landlord has recently attempted to contact myself but unless I am called by the police I won't be dealing with them directly, as I don't know this person and don't wish to simply for supporting such a shocking operation via supplying them with a place to work from. So if you do have a car at the old heathrow address it would be best dealing with the landlord direct to arrange to get whats left of your cars - sorry I don't have any details for them as I refused to deal with them directly. I were informed my car is just a shell, nothing much left of it...so what good is it to me now, for what it'll cost me to fix might as well buy another one (which I already did days after my car was taken when I came to the realization I was never going to see it again).

[bringiton]

Us too! Car on way home though!

Bloody hell! Us too!
Hubby had spent a fortune on his jag x type so wanted to invest more in it to keep it going as he loved the car. Searched the web (But not reviews!!!) and found 1st Choice Engines Ltd, based in Slough.
As per all the other posts, he was quoted an amount on the phone and internet which more than doubled eventually. He took the car to the garage himself (We live a few hours away) and was shown around a garage and workshop whcih looked OK to him. Was told they would take the engine out that afternoon and get back to him with what needed doing. Later that afternoon the email came which well over doubled it! Even cargin £25 for nuts and bolts, hubby questioned it but still decided to go ahead. BACS transfer of half the money, eventually a second transfer to have the work completed (Totalling £2,600) Only a week later the car was ready for collection or delivery. Hubby chose to collect again, drove home, burning oil but he doesn't know cars so thought maybe something to do with new engine settling in. Normal mechanic advice to keep it stead for the first 500 miles, given a life warranty (Which I thought looked suspect as not signed or anything!).
Hubby thought it was driving OK even though it was throwing out smoke. I took it out and heard a 'poof' sound as I pulled away and started to lose power to pull away. Had to call another road recovery service who came and looked. The turbo hose had not been attached properly. But we had already contacted the garage to say we thought we might need to bring it back because of the burning oil.
Was in the garage for more than a week and no one could ever tell us what was happening to it - the usual story of holidn, being cut off, no phone calls returned etc.
Finally yesterday I found this thread. Hubby rang them three times in a row and finally got Jamie to say the car was being looked at today (this afternoon). Hubby rang the warranty administrators who were no help, but he ecided to go and collect the car today anyway. Decided to get there in the morning to make sure they had not got it on a ramp yet.
As hubby got off train he spotted a police car, spoke to them about what he was going to do. They explained that they know all about the company and have even had to send in armed response vehicles in the past after police officers and cars were locked in the compound (So those of you suggesting that seeing police cars in there being 'fixed' is a good thing, think again!)
Thankfully, hubby just rang to say he walked straigh in this morning. They were surpirsed to see him, the car looked like it was in the same place the recovery company had left it. They confirmed that hubby did not want them to continue the work and said they would need to send him a disclaimer! (Like the warranty was worth anything anyway!)
So, we are fairly lucky after reading the other stuff. We have been ripped off financially. Hubby will be checking engine number when he gets homeand will be booking it into our normal garage (If onlpy we had gone there in the first place!!!) If he gets home safely we can count our lucky stars that we have lost the money but have the car back.
Lesson learned

[Hometune]

Originally Posted by ENGCTR

The posting above is totally fictitious, we are

national engine centre
unit 1 derby rd
cardiff
cf245sb

02920 451919

might i ask that anyone who posts to this website with problems relating to a vehicle we have fixed or are in the middle of fixing, that they give enough information that i be able to give a detailed response. This doesnt neccesarily mean that you are wrong but im sure everyone will agree that there are 2 sides to every story.

We have thousands of satisfied customers and will willingly supply trade or customer references from people in your area to verify
when there are problems sourcing parts or a vehicle arrives with parts missing, we supply free courtesy cars
remeber an engine failure is nearly always a secondary reaction to a primary problem, sometimes this isnt always apparent especially when your vehicle arrives with us in bits and already diagnosed, an example is head gasket failures are sometimes caused by blocked radiators etc etc
we have 10 customers a week and have been trading for over 15 years. Circa 8000 engines fitted, we have possibly 20 negative feed back on the internet of which half is malicious nonsense, this equates to less than a half a percent
old cars are getting newer increasingly most of the engines we fit are secondhand units with proven provenance. This doesnt detract from what we offer. An example is a 4 cylinder petrol vw engine, removing the crank from the block renders the engine u/s and this info is from the manufacturer. Yet i still see so called recon engines for these vehicles for sale. Most cylinder blocks for petrol engines are now made from a cast alloy 90% of failures in this type of engine render them scrap/ impossible to remanufacture. The new generation of diesel engines are now going the same way very soon your only option will be secondhand
we never tell you what you want to hear, we regularly advise customers not to repair there vehicles. What you paid for your car is irrelevant on the day you need an engine, all that matters is whats the car worth as it stands, what is it going to cost to fix and what are the ongoing running costs likely to be. Obviously the older the car the less likely its worth fixing?
Please try us if you need an engine , no money upfront and we accept credit cards

On the BBC this week in The Sheriffs are Coming, I believe this company was featured? Again?
After some threats towards the High Court sheriffs by the owner, the police were called and eventually this company paid the outstanding amount owed to a disgruntled customer.
The attitude of the owner in the program was a disgrace and he came across as just a bully boy.
Having seen the program which is probably still available on iPlayer, I would not use this company for my engine rebuild.

[hooligan33]

BTW, I have found that despite their best efforts the Trading Standards and the Police can do very little to stop these scammers as they just keep opening a new company and move to another site to get rid of any hassles from the car owners who have been ripped off! They seem to start a new company about every 18 months and have been carrying out this operation for the past 8 years if not more.

[hooligan33]

Hi , sorry to give you bad news but these guys know all the dirty tricks and you will waste your money chasing them. What they will do is stop trading and suspend the company in a few months time. As the company has no assets you will not get a penny and all they will do is start another company like they have been doing for years .... I know this because I got ripped off 2 years ago!. I am now trying to stop their website getting on the internet by talking to the web hosting companies and letting them know what these people do ......

[chunky]

Do not use this company as said before !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep i've been ripped off. !! What a bunch of crooks and boy don't they know it! We were one of 3 vehicles that came back that day, one person had been waiting 3 months. I got my vehicle the hell out of there ( towed without with their so called permission) stuff the warranty its not worth anything anyway. Now with my garage having the once over. What a bunch of complete ******S. Please don't anybody touch them or any recondition engine firm that answer the phone' ' mumble mumble engines! '' They are clearly hiding under several names. As for the so called manager Tommy ha ha ha!! Chief crook. There were a couple of travellers that had problems they stated ''there is going to be a lot of trouble here''. Boy do they deserve it. If you work there I hope you are proud of what you do to people.

That as much as we can say really. !!!

[Goldenowl]

re-conditioned engines.co.uk

I have recently been informed by the Police that their extensive investigations into the group who operated from the Southall site, have resulted in no convictions, as they cannot identify the individuals responsible for this substantive crime.

The only course of action left is to raise public awareness in order to save others from being caught.

We need help from breakdown services, motoring clubs and organisations to warn people!

[Mike Gray]

I've removed a couple of posts here owing to complaints of harassment from a hosting company. Future similar posts will be deleted to prevent this from recurring. The site is no longer hosted with them.

[l00ny]

Can I just ask, does anyone have still have cars at the Saxon way address, Heathrow?

[MissMarple]

Reconditioned Engines or 1st Choice Engines

I only read these threads after my sons van was booked in and yes my heart broke when I read them. Yes the quote was £1695 then increased to £2500 BUT after speaking with other recon places this possibly could be the case as these things are not always visible until you take the engine to pieces. As my son couldn't find the additional monies we opted to have the van returned to us as reading the reviews we panicked. At no time did I have a cross word with Tommy and he did his best to reduce the quote and once we paid the cost of taking out the engine it is being returned to us today (Hopefully). I did my research and yes 1st Choice Engines are VAT registered so he is able to charge VAT. The price to take the engine out is a days labour £400 and the collection and delivery charge was £120.00 which is about right as I rang a member of FER www.fer.co.uk. All I can say yes absolutely gutted as it wasn't fixed but this would be the case even if I took it to a local garage. I am not endorsing recon engines but I also think I should be fair in reporting my events too.

[Hometune]

Miss Marple's post is number 406 in this thread. The only one that endorses the rip off cowboys at these places. You decide.....

[rjgchf]

rjgchf

Absolutely ridiculous that anyone would have anything decent to say unless another hoax post by one of them (obviously)....

Can all parties who have pursued the legal route confirm their outcomes please.

[bmwx5]

This sums it up, as all the information in the clip is what they do.

Posted 2 years ago..........

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI30so6TAmg

[scoobydoo]

Hello to everyone, thankfully I have had the luck to look before I took my car to them, seems they are total villiains and NEVER EVER fix a car, they will come across someone they cant intimidate thats for sure, now the real problems is this, 4 pages of complaints I have calculated that the total money is over a Million pounds, now you all need to get together and produce real evidence and take it to the correct people and present it to the Taxman. But the invetsigation must be done 100% and not miss a thing. They will slip up for sure everyone does.

[rjgchf]

The liquidators are coming...! Everyone get involed ** please read and act **

Petitions to Wind Up (Companies)

In the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division)

Companies Court No 7089 of 2014

In the Matter of RECONDITIONED ENGINES LTD

(Company Number 08263258)

and in the Matter of the Insolvency Act 1986

A Petition to wind up the above-named Company of 8 Nelson Road, Whitton, Twickenham, TW2 7AU, presented on 3 October 2014 by THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLSc/o Howes Percival LLP, The Guildyard, 51 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1DD, in the public interest. The Petition of the Company will be heard at The High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Companies Court, The Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Building, Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1NL on 19 January 2015 at 12:30 hrs (or as soon as thereafter as the Petition can be heard).

Any person intending to appear on the hearing of the Petition (whether to support or oppose it) must give notice of intention to do so to the Petitioner or its Solicitor in accordance with Rule 4.16 by 1600 hours on 16 January 2015.

Solicitor’s name: Jodie Burrows, Howes Percival LLP, The Guildyard, 51 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1DD, Telephone: 01603 762103, Fax: 01603 617981, email: [email protected] . (Reference Number: WBS/JLB/208691.0030.)

29 October 2014

[ciderapple]

Latest police action

This now makes sense as to why there were yellow police stickers on all the cars inside and immediately outside the company's compound at Perth Avenue on Slough Trading Estate, when driving past at the weekend!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Warrents conducted at trading estate - Slough

This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police

Message sent by

Irene Shearer (Police, NHW & Community Messaging Co-ordinator, Slough)


Warrants conducted at trading estate - Slough
Two people were arrested on Wednesday (17/12) arrested after Thames Valley Police conducted three warrants in Slough and Guildford, Surrey.
Around 50 officers conducted a warrant in Slough on the Perth Trading Estate at around 7am, assisted by colleagues from the Public Interest Unit of the Insolvency Service and Trading Standards.
Two warrants were carried out at properties in Guildford.
A 27-year-old man from Guildford has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to blackmail and a 20-year-old man, also from Guildford, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. Both have been released on bail until 25 February.
The warrants were conducted as part of a multi-agency investigation into fraudulent activity reported at a company dealing with engines and car parts. A number of reports were made to various agencies regarding activity at the site in Slough.
There were 135 vehicles on or near the site in Slough and the owners will be contacted in due course about their vehicles.
Slough deputy LPA commander Gavin Wong said: “The warrants carried out were as a result of an extensive investigation led by the Company Investigations of the Insolvency Service, assisted by Thames Valley Police and Trading Standards.
“They were carried out after numerous complaints from members of the public across the country and after listening to their allegations, a full investigation was launched and is continuing.
“I want to thank people in Slough for their help and apologise for any disruption caused.â€

[ciderapple]

Local news article repeating the Thames Valley Police press release: http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news...r-fraud-probe/

[ciderapple]

Also on the company's websites there is now a message from the liquidators - for example at http://www.reconditioned-engines.co.uk/ :

"On 16th December 2014 1st Choice Engines Ltd was placed into Provisional Liquidation and the Official Receiver is Provisional Liquidator.
For all enquiries please telephone 0207 637 6626."

And the actual Petition to Wind Up from https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/2250595 :

Petitions to Wind Up (Companies)

In the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division)

Companies CourtNo 7087 of 2014


In the Matter of 1ST CHOICE ENGINES LTD

(Company Number 08645591)

Principal trading address: Unit 5, Perth Industrial Estate, Slough, SL1 4XX

and in the Matter of the Insolvency Act 1986


A Petition to wind up the above-named Company of 2nd Floor, 43 Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1SY, presented on 3 October 2014 by THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS C/O HOWES PERCIVAL LLP, The Guildyard, 51 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1DD, in the public interest.


The Petition of the Company will be heard at The High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Companies Court, The Rolls Building, 7 Rolls Building, Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1NL on 19 January 2015 at 1230 hours (or as soon as thereafter as the Petition can be heard).


Any person intending to appear on the hearing of the Petition (whether to support or oppose it) must give notice of intention to do so to the Petitioner or its Solicitor in accordance with Rule 4.16 by 1600 hours on 16 January 2015.


Solicitor’s name: Jodie Burrows, Howes Percival LLP, The Guildyard, 51 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1DD, Telephone: 01603762103, Fax: 01603 617981, email: [email protected] . (Reference Number: WBS/JLB/208691.0030.)

17 December 2014

[Santa]

Forgive my cynicism, but I suspect that they will just walk away and start up elsewhere under a different name with some different directors on the books. Does anyone really think that the blackmail charge will stick?

It really need some publicity to make people aware that engine reconditioning is one of those businesses where the good and honest have been priced off the market by these scum and others of their ilk.

[ciderapple]

After the compound seemed to be under the control of the authorities for a couple of months and cars being recovered for their owners, it seems that yes they are definitely up and running again under the companies Van Fleet Services Ltd and Exchange Engines. The compound has started filling up with cars again and similar looking staff are working there.

http://www.endole.co.uk/company/0868...t-services-ltd

http://www.endole.co.uk/company/0934...ge-engines-ltd

[Tony01]

Thanks BMWX5 thought there sales pitch sounded to good to be true sorted car out now with a garage that is FER registered and only costing me !00 pounds more than they quoted and was shown around workshop all engine miling boring and everything else done in house no deposit asked for
Now happy

[ciderapple]

Men charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering - Slough

This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police

Men charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering - Slough

Four men from Surrey have been jointly charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering as part of an investigation involving offences in Slough.
Paul Dockerill, aged 50, of Jessamy Road, Weybridge; 27-year-old Martin Dockerill, of Watersmeet Close, Guildford; 25-year-old Harry Dockerill, of Wells Road, Guildford; and 23-year-old Jack Dockerill, of Gales Close, Guilford, were jointly charged by officers on Wednesday (24/6).
All four men have been released on police bail to attend Slough Magistrates’ Court on 28 July 2015.
The charges relate to alleged fraud and money laundering by two companies, 1st Choice Engines and Exchange Engines ,who operated from the same premises in Perth Avenue, Slough, between the period of August 2013 to June 2015 resulting in numerous victims.
The victims are from the Thames Valley, Sussex, London, Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, and South Wales.
The men were arrested between 17 and 30 December last year.


http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ne....htm?id=315935

[Familycar14]

http://nationwideenginesupplies.co.uk/# Sold me an engine that never arrived and are still yet to refund my money!! DO NOT USE scam

[ciderapple]

Slough men face trial for fraud charges

So news today that the people behind most of the companies mentioned in this thread will go back to Court to plea bargain in December or face trial next year. The Slough site is now closed and presumably back in the hands of its landlord. For anyone with cars there there are notices up asking people to contact the bailiff company responsible for clearing the site in order to collect their cars.

Article from Slough Observer today - http://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news...rges_of_fraud/

SLOUGH MEN FACE TRIAL FOR FRAUD CHARGES

FOUR men face trial next year charged with fraud and money laundering involving two Slough-based companies.

Paul Dockerill, 50, of Jessamy Road, Weybridge, Martin Dockerill, 27, of Watersmeet Close, Guildford, Harry Dockerill 25, of Wells Road, Guildford, and Jack Dockerill 23, of Gales Close, Guildford, were jointly charged with conspiracy to defraud and money laundering in June relating to the scheme involving two companies – 1st Choice Engines and Exchange Engines.


Both companies operated in Perth Avenue, Slough, between August 2013 to June this year. Alleged victims are said to be from the Thames Valley, Sussex, London, Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, and South Wales.


The men were arrested between December 17 and 30 last year.


The four all appeared at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, where it was established they will now appear in December at the same court for a plea and case management trial.

A provisional date of June 6, 2016, has been set should a trial be needed.

[tebadham]

Roy Harry Dart

Originally Posted by Stuntboy

Hi everyone, this thread is so long and seems to cover so many business names. One name that keeps popping up is Roy Dart who I believe is now running "The reconditioned gearbox" based in Twickenham. Am I right to think that he is linked with the other business's mentioned in this thread? I have issues with him too but will not be discussing them in public but would love to hear from anyone who is up for going to see him.

I have just joined this thread and I am responding to all those who have suffered the Roy Dart issue, If you would like to pool our resources to get justice please contact me on this blog.

[Badi0102]

Can someone help me please , I have pairs £2000 for my engine to be the kept my car for two weeks and made it to have more problem and now they disappear from there I can't get in contact with them , has anyone got any info how to get to this guys
Thank you

badic@*******.co.uk

[Santa]

Frankly I have little sympathy now for anyone who allows themselves to be ripped off by these crooks. This thread and many like it, as well as TV programs have publicised them for years. To part with £2000 without research seems rather foolish.

[tebadham]

Info on Roy Harry Dart

Will you please send me more details, What date did this occur , what was the name of the garage , what was the name of the people at the garage, do you have any paper work from them, if you would like Roy Harry Darts Home Address send an email to me please use this email address "[email protected]" .

[MrWorried]

Hey Everyone, I feel for everyone that has suffered at the hands of these guys. I know these firms often shut down and then start up under another name. This leads me to my question - I have come across a firm that was set up not long after this one was shut down and it feels very similar. It is called http://www.reconditionedgearboxes.com. There are a number of warning bells, not least they say they offer free fitting! And want payment via bank transfer. There are also no reviews for the company as far as I can see. Any views would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Mobile Tech]

These guys have been at it for decades and the business model is targeted at motorists that have an once of greed instilled in them. It seems that you find the internet AFTER you have been shafted - Or is it a CHEAP and GOOD thing ??? Don't think So !!!

If they are as cheap as chips then how can you expect a silk purse for the price of a pigs ear.

http://www.ivorsearle.co.uk/ take a look - that is a man commanding good money for a good job - No BS - No Excuses and a gold plated warranty.