I'm in the same boat as practically everyone else here. They have my vehicle and claim the engine was 'all smashed up inside', which it certainly wasn't. They then tried to extort extra money to pay for components that I know were not faulty. I then told them to cease work on the vehicle and return it. They eventually agreed to do so but have not actually returned it.
Again, the police won't touch it, so solicitor seems to be the only route left, which will leave me further out of pocket.
I'm not under any illusion I'll see either the money or the vehicle again.
It just staggers me that what is plainly fraud, and therefore a crime, does not persuade the police to take action.