An investigation has been launched at a garage after a customer drove away with a faulty steering wheel straight after his car had been in for repair.

James Simmons, of the Heathway in Dagenham, left his Ford Fiesta at Allen Ford in Upminster after it broke down earlier this month.

The 19-year-old collected it a few days later when he was told it had been fixed but the steering went later on that morning.

His dad, Scott Simmons, is “furious” that a technician considered it fit to drive and fears that the fault could have led to a dangerous accident.

“I’m fuming about the whole thing because I don’t expect it from the main dealers,” the 40-year-old said.

“It was 9am when it happened. That’s a busy time and he could have hurt a pedestrian on the road, it was really dangerous.”

However, Bill Davies, service director at Allen Ford Essex, insists that the car was still safe to drive.

“We saw part of one of the steering arms had a small bend in it so the steering would not be completely straight, but it is definitely completely safe,” he said.

“I don’t know how it happened though. We’ve never seen a steering wheel break like it.”

James is an insurance apprentice at Barking and Dagenham College and bought the second hand car from Alan Ford to celebrate finishing his course.

His dad said he was angry that there had been a problem when it went in for repair and then there was “brand new one” when he went to pick it back up.

Bill explained he’d be happy for anyone to drive the car but agreed the technician should have noticed and an internal investigation has now been launched.

“We’re looking into why he didn’t spot it and it may or may not end in a disciplinary action,” he said.

“It wasn’t straight but it was definitely still safe, however we should have picked up on the problem.”

Alan Ford has replaced the faulty vehicle with a new car, as well as offering Jamie two free services.

Bill added: “I’ll happily welcome any investigation into whether this car is safe. To say it’s dangerous to drive is definitely wrong.”