Hello, my father has recently given up driving due in no small part to the long running problem he has been made to endure at the hands of Toomey Peugeot. He is a proud man who was an Engineer for all his working life and for reasons I'm about to explain feels humiliated (not that he ought to be) by the whole experience. He does not know that I have written this as he is insisting that the matter is ended. My father took his Peugeot to Toomey in Nov 2011 with intermittent idle problems to which Toomey suggested that a electrical component be replaced at a fitted cost of £621. My father paid this and took the car home only for the fault to remain. He then over the course of 5 weeks returned the car several more times spending in total £1243 in parts and labour. The car was not fixed until it was taken to an independent Peugeot garage where a small wiring problem was fixed for £65 inc parts and labour. My father being proud has requested that I do not get involved, however I have been speaking to an employee (technician) from Toomey who I have subsequently met (my babysitters boyfriend) and I have found out this about Toomey aka Laindon Holdings 1.Toomey has taken virtually all the large franchises in the Southend on Sea (Essex) area over the last few years. 2. The technicians do not earn a basic wage. If they find nothing wrong with your car (and they always will find a problem) they do not earn a penny. 3. Cars are targeted for parts that the technician will be given a long book time to change by the manufacturer regardless of whether it requires changing. Technicians will more often know what part needs changing before they see the car and often this part is not even changed. 4. Technicians that don't find faults with cars which the company know are profitable will not last more than a few weeks - staff turn over is brisk 5. Sales cars are fitted with second hand parts that are taken from customers cars (that didn't need changing) to save the technician money.The less they spend on getting a sold car ready the more they earn,the trouble is existing customers are paying for newer customers cars to be fixed. 6. The company source aftermarket parts and fit them at main dealer prices. 7. Customers cars are sometimes targeted by thieves whilst parked outside for parts. It is normal for customers to be told those parts will need to be replaced at their own expense.This has required customers to pay over £1000 for major engine parts. 8. The company has expanded too fast and has cash flow problems. 9. Any staff that question these practices are swiftly removed. I am in discussion with several people about where I go with this but at this stage would like to make people aware of this company. Sarah. I will be starting a blog shortly to support victims of Toomey,