Car repair rip offs

You can always check on Google where client reviews are a very good indicator of the service you can expect. And they don't accept payment!

I avoid these 'nationally known garages' because in my experience some of them take advantage of women. Years ago I found a local mobile mechanic working for himself and he is brilliant. He never does unnecessary work and doesn't charge me the earth for repairs and servicing he carries out. If I need to go to the tyre company he tells me which tyre needs changing and not to listen to them telling me the others aren't looking too good. They have tried it on occasionally but to no avail! I wrote a poem a few years ago about a lady's experience at the garage. The last verse is:-
If your car needs to go to the garage,
To this Dick Turpin covered in grease,
Just get your brother to take it,
He won't be so easy to fleece!

Yes, and it isn't only with cars you have this trouble if you happen to be a woman!

Try calling a plumber or and electrician. As like as not they will treat you as if you were mentally deficient, even if you have a basic knowledge of plumbing or electricity.

I agree with shopping round. There is a huge difference in the price of car parts - the actual car manufacturers branded parts versus off brand. And it does sound like like there was time to shop around in this situation (rather than limping to the nearest garage)

I took my car to the main Volvo dealer just for the first 3 services to keep the warranty valid, now I take it to the local chap. Excellent value and service.

If both garages are the same company why not contact Chief Exec and ask why there was such a variation in price when you took the car in as opposed to when your son did. I'd be livid too.

There's a localized internet based group called Nextdoor, really useful for asking about services like this, and sharing good and bad experiences - taking care not to say anything that might not be possible to prove....

Contact said company HQ and ask them to explain.. Bet you get a freebie for your trouble

Yes had this so much over the years it's not getting any better. I feel for you Chewbacca. It really shoud not be happening in this day and age. Shocking behaviour but sadly no surprise.

This is normal practice, in fact dealers instruct their engineers to do this under the guise of safety due diligence. Basically if they think the part may wear out before the next service they will recommend you change it.

Refusing puts the liability back on you. Any unofficial (unpaid) second opinion counts for nothing!, so be careful!.

I would never go to one of these tyre and exhaust centres. They are renowned for finding extra work and charging more. Always go to a local car repair garage.

I always use my local garage for everything, I found him when I had a Bmw and was sick of being treated like a halfwit by the local dealer. He was a Bmw specialist and worth his weight in gold so when I sold the Bmw I still went to him and recommend him to everyone I know, He's an absolute star.

Aepgirl Sun 25-Oct-20 18:54:50
I would never go to one of these tyre and exhaust centres. They are renowned for finding extra work and charging more.

There was a TV program many years ago, it might have been "That's Life," or if not something similar, where a car had a few faults created, something simple like a lead that had come off a spark plug. All the faults were the sort that someone with just the basic knowledge could trace and fix.

The results were shocking, all but one, and that was the one man band, overcharged, invented faults and even tried to persuade the car owner to trade their "clapped out" car for a new model. The one man band fixed the fault and charged just one hour's labour.

I've never felt comfortable dealing with the tyre and exhaust specialist, I go to a local garage who will deal with all problems great and small and I never feel ripped off.
When I had a noise under the car that sounded like I had those old-fashioned wedding cans trapped he told me You've got a pebble trapped in the disc, didn't believe it could make such a noise though, but when he whipped the wheel off there it was, smaller than my little finger nail. The charge? Call it a tenner! I can't help feeling that it would have been a much bigger job in the hands of the 'specialists'.

Riggie

I agree with shopping round. There is a huge difference in the price of car parts - the actual car manufacturers branded parts versus off brand. And it does sound like like there was time to shop around in this situation (rather than limping to the nearest garage)

It's also worth looking at the forums on line, an ESP light fault on my VW was going to cost about £400 but I found it was an acknowledged fault and VW were fixing it for free.

It's not the chain with initials KF is it? They were featured on Watchdog, I think, years ago. It's astonishing that they are still in business, their questionable practices are legendary.

"Very Simply Topping Up the Brake Fluid" by Simon Armitage (Poet Laureate)

Yes, love, that’s why the warning light comes on. Don’t
panic. Fetch some universal brake-fluid
and a five-eights screwdriver from your toolkit
then prop the bonnet open. Go on, it won’t

eat you. Now, without slicing through the fan-belt
try and slide the sharp end of the screwdriver
under the lid and push the spade connector
through its bed, go on, that’s it. Now you’re all right

to unscrew, no, clockwise, you see it’s Russian
love, back to front, that’s it. You see, it’s empty.
Now, gently with your hand and I mean gently,
try and create a bit of space by pushing

the float-chamber sideways so there’s room to pour,
gently does it, that’s it. Try not to spill it, it’s
corrosive: rusts, you know, and fill it till it’s
level with the notch on the clutch reservoir.

Lovely. There’s some Swarfega in the office
if you want a wash and some soft roll above
the cistern for, you know. Oh don’t mind him, love,
he doesn’t bite. Come here and sit down Prince. Prince!

Now, where’s that bloody alternator? Managed?
Oh any time, love. I’ll not charge you for that
because it’s nothing of a job. If you want
us again we’re in the book. Tell your husband.

Years ago I worked as a receptionist for one of the main big dealers. Their mechanical work was very shoddy indeed , we were constantly getting complaints and they charged a fortune.

I’ve never had a problem with tyre centers, you decide which tyres you want if you like the price they fit them free.

But it can get complicated, if you ask them to recommend suitable tyres that makes them liable, if you have an accident they may have a liability. Increasingly now there are mobile tyre fitters you choose tyres, they fit at your home.

Indepentants are often good if you get to know them but beyond tyres, brakes and routine servicing they are limited what they can do. You are going to have to use main dealers for warranty and some technical work, thankfully most brands are more reliable than they used to be but that is not consolation if you gave one that does breakdown.

This is the exact reason only my husband takes my car to the garage.

Main dealers? More like 'main stealers'

Is this in London? I think you should name & shame to protect others from this.

Well I’ve just, OK an hour and a half ago, picked my 10year old mini up after its MOT and annual service. I also have a Trevor, AKA Langor Bridge garage and they are fantastic. It was due a big service but as I’ve only done 3k since last year he did a ‘sensible’ one instead and replaced a bit of the exhaust.
Why do I always feel so proud when he tells me that my mini is the best he’s ever had in.?.

Thanks Chapeau
This thread has saddened me.
I hate to think of poor helpless souls being taken for a ride.
I have been an AA member since I bought my first car and have never regretted it.
They don't usually do the repairs but can often diagnose the problem . I'm sure we've saved a lot of money and anxiety over the years.
My go to garage man was recommended. He and his daughter pick up the car and bring it back fixed.
My present car, an 8yr old Toyota, hasn't needed much attention.

I have written above about my problems with main dealers, but I must say that I haven't had problems with tyres and exhausts as they tend to have standard rates and you can ring round in advance to check on prices. Exhaust replacers - and actually, how often does an exhaust need replacing these days - usually do brakes and similar and will tell you they need work, but my response is always that I will get my garage to check them for me.