It should be noted that to date (3rd Sept 2015) I have not received any personal response from Kwick Fit since I sent this to them on 28/8/15 via their online coolants form.

Dear Sir,

Complaint regarding Kwick Fit at Sunderland Road, Gateshead

During a recent MOT of my car at this garage on 2/6/2015 it failed due to supposedly faulty wiper blades. These were replaced in order to pass the MOT.

I was curious of this failure as I had run my finger along the blades beforehand and did not feel any damage on the rubber nor was there any obstruction on the windscreen. I asked for them back as I wanted to see the reason for failure. When these were returned to me the blade had been physically torn from the wiper. It was not in this condition when I took it in to the garage. I however reluctantly took this as damage caused through removal of the blade from the wiper arm.

Within two days of the MOT I noticed a crack which travelled from the bottom of the windscreen up to the wiper blade and followed the length of the blade. Although there was no chip, I have since been told by another independent garage that the crack is a direct cause of the wiper arm (without wiper blade fitted) being released under tension and hitting the windscreen with force.

A little over a month later 25/7/2015 I returned my car to the same Kwick Fit garage to have a puncture repaired. During the tyre repair I was informed by the manager that the brakes were nearly worn out and the rear break calliper was seizing. The manager also told me the car needed a new brake disk due to ‘heat damage’ although I could not see any signs of bluing or warping due to heat when I inspected it.

I opted to have the work done at a later date when the pads were actually wearing out

The next day there was a constant grinding noise from the offending wheel. I contacted Kwick Fit to instruct them to replace the Pads and Calliper. At which the manager refused my instruction insisting that both rear brake disks were replaced as well at an additional £127.00

My experience from the MOT made me take the car to a non Kwick Fit garage for second opinion.

The other garage engineer informed me that the pads had indeed worn out and were now metal against metal; in addition the garage told me he had to ‘chisel’ the pads out as the calliper was seized solid and had been so for some time. He didn’t mention heat damage, nor could I see any bluing on brake disk indicative of heat damage as Kwick Fit had stated.

The reasons for my complaint are:

Kwick Fit had not identified the worn brakes in the MOT, or a binding brake calliper during the MOT. Although the failure occurred a month following the MOT, the condition of the breaks should have been easily observed by a competent mechanic and, in my opinion the vehicle left the MOT in a dangerous condition.

I am very suspicious of the fact that the pads failed the next day. This is very co-incidental.

I am also aggrieved that a crack on the windscreen appeared directly after work carried out by Kwick Fit and is suggestive of heavy handedness - resulting in a costly replacement of the screen and potential insurance claim against Kwick Fit.

Before I discredit Kwick Kit I will give you the opportunity to rectify the faults which have appeared on my car whilst in the care of your employees especially to the windscreen which is non repairable.

I can of course have an independent engineer confirm the cause of damage to the windscreen if required.

Regards

(Name withheld from forum)

May I suggest you address your complaint to kwikfits ceos office.

Also unapproved other duplicate thread

He did send it to them. He's copied it here so he can get advice.

Did you send it here ?

ETEL House

Letchworth, Hertfordshire SG6 2HU

If so, send it again recorded delivery marked for the personal attention of Mr Kenji Murai or even by registered, he is more likely to get it especially if marked 'Personal for Mr Kenji Murai.

and also email it to him here - [email protected]

Years ago I took my car to Kwik fit for ac regas and they said that I needed new brake discs and pads at the front.

Unfortunately for them I had had them replaced only a week before!

They didn't even look at them.

I suppose they're still at it to these days.

Disgraceful!

Why anyone would take their car to a tyre sale place for anything other than a new tyre is very puzzling.

Heat generated when a pad is stuck in the carrier doesn't make the disc go blue or cause it to warp, it will be noticeable by the rust on the disc edges having more of a red tinge to it.

So Kwik Fit were correct in informing you that the pads were nearly worn out as they were on the metal the following day. It doesn't take long to wear out to the metal nearly worn out pads when the caliper is seized.

For the MOT the friction material on the pads needs to be over 1.5mm, it's up to the tester at what threshold they take for advising them. If the tester can't readily see the pads, he can't pass any comment on them. Are the pads easily seen on your car without having to remove anything to get a better view?

A binding brake may not show up when the brakes are cold either on the wheel bearing check or on the brake tester.

A MOT is a test on the testable parts of the car at the time of test, it is not there to state the such and such a component is getting towards the end of it's life and may need replacing in the future.

When was the last time that the car was serviced? and when were the brakes last serviced, they do benefit from having the pads removed, the carriers cleaned and the sliding parts lubricated periodically.

One of my breaks is seized, It's on the metal strip but still with around 2mm left on it. I guess it technically wouldn't be a fail.

One of my breaks is seized, It's on the metal strip but still with around 2mm left on it. I guess it technically wouldn't be a fail.

It would depend a lot on what is shown on the balance meter.