The wrong brake fluid - £3000 of damage

[Goldlady]

Friends of mine have a leased Mitsubishi Shogun. A couple of months ago they put some brake fluid in it and took the advice of the shop as to whether the brake fluid was OK for their car. They have just taken it to main dealer to get brake pads replaced and have been told that they have put the wrong brake fluid in and the damage to rubber seals etc etc will cost in the region of £3K to repair.

It seems to OH and me that most retail motor shops only sell one type of brake fluid. Can anyone advise me about this?

[StoneLaughter]

There are several different "grades" of brake fluid. Some will be "DOT 8" or "DOT 9" for instance.

What you need to do is to:

(a) find out exactly what they say is wrong with the brake fluid you put in
(b) have the car independantly examined by an expert mechanic from elsewhere to determine his "take" on the situation
(c) not pay ANYTHING until this issue is resolved
(d) if they have removed parts already, insist on having all the parts they have removed immediately returned to you for independant examination.

I think they are trying a fast one - brake fluid is a service item and if you have replenished it yourself outside the service visits they may well decide that it's an opportunity to do unnecessary work. An independant mechanic inspecting the vehicle is a way to verify what they say.

If, in the end, the brake fluid WAS incorrect and HAS damaged seals etc, and this is coroborated by the independant inspection, then I feel you may have a claim against the shop who sold you the fluid... however it will be difficult to prove the advice they gave you without some subterfuge; i.e. ask a friend to go into the same shop and request some brake fluid for your make and model of car, and either to record the conversation on video or to write down the date and time, with actual quotes from the conversation.

[saintly_1]

Just asked OH about different types of break fluid and the consequences of putting the wrong type into a car ........ before I actually read him your full post he reemed off loads of faults that it could cause including the seals ..... when he asked what car then he said it sounds about right for a main dealer.

[Goldlady]

Thank you both. I like your cunning plan about the shop Stonelaughter.

Will let you know what happens