Garage - saying parts are broken when they are not

[ltunstall]

Hi i need some advice really, on good friday i took my car to a chain of garges, for a full service and M-O-T. The mot was due on the 26th which was tuesday, but they said they didnt have time to book in for m-o-t and could only manage the service, - Fair enough.

 

But when arriving to pick up the car, they stated several items were broken and needed to be replaced as it would fail its m-o-t. So with having a family etc, started to panic as we needed to car and didnt have the money to replace the parts required.

 

Rear Coil spring broken - this was the main item it would fail on and would need them replacing in pairs etc

 

and needed all new disc brakes and pads and they were dangerous. and i have this down in writing

 

So i left it at that, and took it to another local garage and explained my problems so i could book them in to be fixed - he took a look, and found nothing to be wrong like the prevous garage has said and its passed its mot (didnt think garages turned away cash)

 

but i just dont think its right for a large chain of garages, to say items are broke when they are not. its fraud and would like to know whats the best way of writing to them to complain etc?

 

thanks in advance

[Sidewinder]

Favourite hobby horse of mine, having seen so many people end up with bills they needn't have paid

 

You say it was a chain of garages - a chain who normally specialise in brakes and offer discounted full services and MOTs perhaps? We used to have one near us who advertised half price MOTs and cheap servicing, but amazingly an awful lot of their customers were advised that new brakes, discs, exhausts or tyres were needed for it to pass the MOT!

 

Not much you can do but to write to their Head Office and complain, or to contact the local Trading Standards as far as I am aware, but this isn't really my forte so am happy for others to give any additional advice.

[Dragons Dennis]

This garage that wanted to [edit]. Wouldn't happen to have fitters that you can't get better than, would it? You know the song.

You can't get better than a **** fit fitter, You can't get better than a **** fit fitter, You can't get better than a **** fit fitter, we're the boys to trust.

 

It would astonish me if it was because they never, ever suggest work that is completely un-necessary at all.

[scaniaman]

they have been at this for YEARS. But sometimes it backfires on them. Viz:- Old codger goes in with faulty exhaust or something. Sit in waiting area. Foreman/ manager comes after a while and says good news and bad news. Good news is exhaust is fixed, bad news is that rear shocker has gone, but they are only fitted in pairs. OK says the codger, fix them. Later manager comes with bill. Codger takes out cash to pay exhaust only --manager remonstrates, so codger tells him to look in glove compartment where he will find receipt for shocks still under warranty. S-it-- bonus up the spout.

[ArtisanUK]

This garage that wanted to editWouldn't happen to have fitters that you can't get better than, would it? You know the song.

You can't get better than a **** fit fitter,

I'd not have expected the expletive filter to respond to "kwik" - you must have written something more apposite.

Edited April 30, 2011 by MARTIN3030

[MARTIN3030]

For info DD,the content was edited as it could be deemed libellous.

This is because there has been an association made between a named trader and the alleged incident.

Had there not been any names,then of course the wording would have been acceptable.

We ask that common sense prevail when posting,to protect the site from potential legal action.

[MARTIN3030]

ltunstall,

 

Yes,you should put something in writing to their HO,and advise that if they are unable to provide you with an acceptable explanation,you will be reporting this to your local Trading Standards.

Its important that you do this,since if no one bothers they continue to get away with it.

You could also look at complaining to any associated trade associations they are subscribed to,since under CPUT,they are required to be upholding recognised codes of conduct and best practice.

Have a look also if the trader is a member of any local council initiatives such as good garage registers/schemes-and report to them also.

[Dragons Dennis]

I didn't mention any name!

[MARTIN3030]

No-of course not,but the edits were done for a reason,and the words felt that could pose a problem were removed.

It does not help that after doing this,the words are re-posted.

Its not rocket science.

[j66]

The car could quite possibly be in need of new brake discs and pads even it has just passed an MOT. The tester can't remove anything to get a good look at them, whilst on a service they can remove the wheels to get a good look. The discs could have a good few mm of corrosion all over them and it can't fail an MOT on that. Provided that they haven't got chunks out of them, are not cracked, wafer thin or contaminated they can't fail. To be honest they have to be alot below a gernerally accepted service standard before they can fail a MOT. You can't really replace the discs and re-use the pads.

 

With the spring it's possible that a part of it could be missing from an end, which the testing garage missed and it's good practice (not compulsory) to replace spriings and dampers in axle pairs.

[traffer]

Once had a similar experience. The one and only time I paid to have a car serviced, had a call to say the disks and pads needed replacing. Told them not to do the work. The service sheet was saying "95%" worn and other "accurate" figures for pad wear. Having the car back from the extortionate service, I removed the wheels, noting a nice "crack" of the wheel nut loosening - not something that happens if the wheel was removed for a proper brake inspection - Measured pad and disk thikcness properly, no more than 65% worn. Also the brake bleed nipple covers were in place and dry underneath. I understood that part of the service was a brake fluid change. Also the cover under the engine was hanging off, as screws were missing.

 

Took car back to the place where it was "serviced" ( a main dealer) and told them to do the work that I had paid for. They said that If I wanted a more accurate brake wear measurement, they could do this, but I would have to pay for it!!!! They were informed that this would not be required. They then claimed a brake fluid change was not required. Well, the book time for the service that I paid for does include the fluid change. A few comings and goings to the sevice managers office and the car was finally serviced properly. Never again.

 

So, perhaps the moral of the story is to take a bit of trouble to learn a little about the car you drive. A little investment in a decent jack and stands and a few tools can save all the hassle of garages trying to sell you parts you do not yet need. Also, it can save you money. £40 for a set of pads and disks, compared with a national chain that wanted £220 to change them.

[scaniaman]

Traffer, brake fluid change--I had the exact trouble with Arnold Clark Peugeot. They say it's not on their autodata sheet, but i told them i wanted car serviced as per owners handbook. Only when threatened with reporting to PSA group did they agree to change the fluid.

 

The BIG question is "How many cars are on the road and not properly serviced????" How many people are paying high prices for cars with "Full Dealer Service History" when they are not in fact serviced.

I make no apology for repeating the message "get your local family garage to look after your car"

[gbjadyy]

another victim of the boys in blue fitter gang by the sound of it !!, they also have a tendency to spray shockers with WD40 and then ask the customer to go and take a look saying that the shockers are leaking !, big business for them up in high places there that lay down financial targets for monthly takings on each branch and of course who gets to pay for all the financial targets??? the consumer of course who else, im sure they should be sending out xmas cards to customers by now to all there loyal customers who give up there spare time and money to be hanging round these places having unessary work done !