On Tue, 8 Oct 2019 09:35:37 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

I took my car in to have two centre prop shaft bearings replaced and
they have damaged the front coupling to the transfer box - it now has
play in it.

I wrote a letter by recorded delivery explaining why I knew that this
was the case, and asking them to contact me to take the matter forward.
They have ignored it.

One assumes it has been delivered and signed for...

How long have you given them to respond? Did you place a response
deadline in the letter? Did you state what you wanted them to do?

Send another letter, recorded delivery, reminding them of the
delivery date and contents of the first. If you can address it
directly, by name, to the MD, all the better. Less chance of it
ending up at the bottom of a service department clerks in tray.

Restate what action you expect them to take. State what action you
will take if the don't respond within a restated (realistic)
deadline. ie you get it repaired elsewhere and for them to foot that
bill and if they don't you'll file Small Claims Court claim for that
bill plus court costs and expenses (all those recorded letters, your
time/inconvience, etc)

The aim being to give them ample oporunity to correct the problem and
to be sure they know the consequencies if they don't.

You say they are "a well established and generally decent firm that's
been
around a long time." I'd expect such a company to jump once someone
high enough up the tree becomes aware.

--
Cheers
Dave.