Good day, I kindly request any information and legal advise possible.
I have a vechile, which was not in working order, to which I have contacted a mechanic to intake repairs, said mechanic arrived viewed the vechile and onsite advised he can repair it, the following, day I recieved an amount total cost R25000 and deposit of R20000, I agreed, and mechanic collected engine only, I paid R10000 upfront then installments of R5000 over the next 2 months.
During that time my house was for sale and I asked if he had space incase my house was sold, he advised that he did not at that time and needed some time to repair other vechiles, eventually house was sold and body of the vechile was moved to another secure location. I advised mechanic on the change and asked him once engine is repaired to bring it to the vechile and repair it I also offered traveling costs, to which he agreed. The following week I received a call from him stating that he wants the vechile body as it would be easier for him to work and repair, so I agreed and vechile was moved to his property at my cost. Unfortunately during this time he attempted to repair the vechile I cannot verify this, then he called me and advised that he cannot find certain parts (bolts) for this vechile and told me I need to get them for him to fix the vechile, so I did find some and advised, and each time he told me what if it's the wrong size or the thread is incorrect and doesn't want to take that chance, so I stopped assisting as I have paid him to do the job and to which he wants me to do his job for him and pay him ontop of that. During this time my simcard was cloned and I had a family emergency, and was not in contact with anyone during this time was about 3 or 4 weeks, but I was available on email, during this time of which I have no record or any call or written document stating that there is additional charges, and now he claiming storage fees from me, to which I did not respond. The following week he posted the car for sale on a common site, to which I contacted him did not say anything about the listing he did and asked him through email what is going on and what needs to get done on the car and that I would like it returned. He never responded, I send another to which he does but does not answer the question, this goes on for a further 15 or so emails all I ask him is what needs to happen for you to return my vechile, refuses to answer, then decides he wants to take me to court to settle this, as he is in the right and I am wrong, so to my knowledge he agreed to do a service quoted got paid, service was not delivered and now wants additional fees which no one was notified about. What would be the steps to actually go to court and win as I do not want to pay this guy any more money, currently engine is in same condition he collected it in and vechile body is in worse condition as it was left outside. Advise or a procedure would help greatly