Police called in Audi repair dispute, workshop boss accuses driver of stealing key to retrieve car
The police were called to an auto workshop in a dispute over the repair of an Audi A4 on Nov 11.
Stomper W, who is an employee of GSC Auto Services in Sembawang, said the car owner owed $239.80 but only $65.40 was paid before the vehicle was driven off, leaving an outstanding balance of $174.40.
The Stomper recounted: "The car owner initially agreed to proceed with the vehicle checking and our technicians commenced dismantling certain parts of the vehicle for inspection.
"However, the following day, on Nov 11, he changed his mind and decided not to continue with the checking."
This led to the dispute.
Stomp contacted the Audi owner, Sean, who shared his side of the story: "On Nov 10, my car was towed to GSC Auto Services between 9am and 10am due to an issue.
"While the vehicle was on its way to the workshop, I communicated with a staff member, J, via WhatsApp. She advised that they would inspect the vehicle and update me on the findings.
"Around 10.30am, J texted me requesting approval for a $60 diagnostic fee, which I consented to. She later requested approval for an additional $160 to dismantle the ignition coil, fuel injector and related parts, which I also approved.
"She also clearly highlighted that no work would be done after 5pm due to their closing time."
"Despite approving the fees before noon, I received no updates throughout the afternoon. Only at 5.11pm did J text me about the diagnosis while I was already on my way to the workshop with my brother.
"Upon arrival, we saw the car parked at the back of the workshop, untouched, with no evidence of dismantling. J verbally explained the issue and the estimated repair cost.
"Around 5.30pm. I asked J to check the cost of using recon parts before any repairs were done. She agreed and said she would update me.
"Later, J texted me the estimated cost and offered installment plans via Atome. I clearly stated that she should wait for my payment the next morning before proceeding to order any parts as she had mentioned wanting to place the order immediately.
"At 8pm that evening, I informed J via text and call that I would not proceed with the repairs due to the high cost and would tow the car back to the dealer instead.
"J then said she would check with her boss, Mr Soh, and subsequently texted that I owed:
$60 for diagnostic check, $160 for dismantling, $190 for 'halfway work' to remove and replace the turbo."
The total was $446.90 including GST.
Sean continued: "I was also told I could only tow back the car at 3pm the next day as they needed to 'reinstall the turbo' which they claimed to have removed.
"This raised serious red flags - how could the turbo have been removed between 5.40pm and 8pm when J stated they do no work after 5pm?
"When I called J at 9.28pm to clarify, she became defensive and insisted we must pay to retrieve the car, and then stopped replying altogether, telling us not to contact her - behavior we found deeply unprofessional and concerning.
"The following morning at around 8.30am, my wife and my brother went to the workshop before opening hours. They noticed that the car had been moved to the front of the workshop.
"While my brother was securing his bike, he saw a mechanic driving the car onto a jack and preparing to work on it. He immediately intervened and instructed the mechanic not to touch the car. Despite this, the mechanic ignored the instructions and continued handling the vehicle, forcing my wife and brother to step in again.
"The car key was left in the ignition, and there were no error lights indicating that any vital parts, such as the turbo, had been removed. To prevent the staff from touching the car again, we locked it and took the key."
After the workshop opened at 9am, Sean's wife and brother spoke to the Stomper and requested to see J, but she wasn't there.
Sean said: "My wife called J at 9.03am, very patiently explaining that there was no visible indication any turbo or parts were removed. She requested proof - photos, videos, or a report - since we were being asked to pay for dismantling and turbo removal.
"J got defensive, claimed I had approved the work (untrue) and hung up mid-conversation. My wife warned that if proof wasn't provided, she would involve the police.
"J replied via text demanding full payment and warning us that the car was in an unstable condition and could be towed, but they would not be liable for issues - this felt like an attempt to pressure us.
"We called the police. They arrived, took statements from my wife, brother and shortly after, from Mr Soh, the owner. The police then requested CCTV footage to verify whether any work, particularly removing the turbo, had been carried out as claimed.
"Shockingly, Mr Soh refused repeated requests from the police officers to provide access to the CCTV footage. We then asked the officers if we were allowed to take our car, as it is our property and our right to do so. They said yes.
"After over an hour of waiting for the invoice, during which Mr Soh and his staff did not communicate with my wife regarding the payment, we were finally issued an invoice only for $60 (diagnostic) and $160 (dismantling). The $190 turbo removal charge was omitted with Mr. Soh claiming he would pursue it in court.
"We immediately paid $60 via PayNow - with a clear note stating the payment was for diagnostic only - and left under the guidance of the police.
"While my brother removed the car, Mr. Soh began shouting, falsely accusing us of stealing the keys (which were left in the car ignition by his own staff). He filmed us without consent, which we only tolerated as the officer had assured us that recording was permissible."
The video was later posted online with the allegations that the driver stole the car key and the police let him drive away without the workshop's permission and without paying the "full amount".
The Audi owner said: "Mr. Soh has since posted misleading content online alleging that repairs were carried out. We also discovered online complaints from others alleging similar behavior by GSC Auto Services.
"To this day, GSC has provided no proof that any work - especially the turbo removal - was done. No photos, no video, no documentation. Their refusal to show CCTV footage only reinforces our belief that we were being charged for work that never happened."
Both he and the workshop have since made police reports. Stomp understands that the police are not investigating as it is not a criminal case.
Sean said: "This interaction left us feeling manipulated, misled and financially threatened.
"We believe this matter deserves scrutiny by the public and relevant authorities to prevent others from similar experiences."
