The benefits of a car can often be outweighed by the headache of securing a good standard of repairs and servicing, as this case study attests.
Cheated By The Garage
Finding a reliable garage to carry out service and repair work on a car can be very difficult. Not knowing whether they are receiving a professional service or not, consumers are often at the mercy of car mechanics who sometimes exploit their ignorance with shoddy workmanship and bad practice.
Of the total number of complaints to Consumer Direct last year, car servicing and repairs accounted for just below 2%. However, although every year tens of thousands of customers complain about work not being completed, repairs being overlooked and about being charged for incomplete work, there are likely many more unaware they are being cheated.
The Filter Trap
When Donal left his car at a Belfast car dealership for its 40,000-mile service, he was well aware of the risks of taking a vehicle to a mechanic in UK. For this reason, he decided to perform his own little test. By marking the vehicle’s engine filters, he could check to see if they were changed afterwards to assess whether the service work had been carried out properly.
Upon completion of the service, the Newcastle native was handed a bill of around £275, which detailed charges relating to the filters. However, upon checking the marks made on the air and fuel filters, he found them to be still there. The work had not been done.
To add insult to injury, the bill also included a charge for the fitting of a new rear windscreen wiper even though the car didn’t even have one.
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As a result of the filter ‘trap’, Donal knew immediately he had been cheated, and so demanded to speak to the manager. He was promptly given a reduced bill of £175 and told that there had been a mix-up between the service and receptionist. He was also offered £50 off his next car service.
Unwilling to accept the situation as an unfortunate human error, Donal brushed off the sweetener and contacted Trading Standards. The dealership later pleaded guilty to two charges under the Trade Descriptions Act.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Customer Vulnerability
The case study highlights how vulnerable consumers are when it comes to car servicing and repairs. They rely completely on the diligence of the mechanic to ensure the work is carried out properly. Donal was only able to spot the bad practice because he set up a trap for the dealership. Most customers would have been oblivious to the incomplete service and paid the money.
The dealership was charged because it is a criminal offence to make a false claim about work carried out. Serious offenders face prosecution, whilst those who fail to a lesser extent face warnings.
The Right To Complain
However, it was only through Donal’s ingenuity and basic knowledge of car maintenance that he was able to present a watertight case against the dealership. Most customers find it difficult to prove they have been cheated by a garage, and find their complaints often get them nowhere.
Under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982, consumers have a right to complain if the service or repair work is not carried out with reasonable care and skill, in a reasonable time, and for a reasonable price.
Trading Standards will offer advice on what to do if you believe you have been the victim of substandard car repairs or servicing. They may also investigate the offending garage on your behalf.
Upon collecting my vehicle after all works were carried out, I realised that no one requested for my wheel lock key which is hidden, I asked the mechanic "Didn't you need the wheel lock nut to remove wheels so that brake fluid lines can be accessed for bleeding" he replied "NO. we use a pump" I asked if all works were complete and pollen filter replaced, he replied "YES".
Ever since the odour was still present, I contacted the branch again and was told to give it a few days. Eventually a few weeks had gone past and the odour just kept getting worse, I was told to take the vehicle back and booked on 24th Oct 2020, but due to the unbearable smell I decided to look into the issue myself. Upon removing the pollen filter I was shocked to see its condition (see pictures attached). The filter was not even replaced, in fact it is the original BMW pollen filter date stamped 16/02/2016. I could not believe my eyes, my family and I have been suffering every journey due to the foul odour, they lied to us.
As my car has had no issues untill it went into the garage is it their responsibility for them to obviously sort the situation out?.
I was phoned later to say while putting my car on ramp the drivers door was badly damaged due to ramp part falling against door which was neglect on part of mechanic.
This is very reputable garage.
What are my rights in this case.
I then rang off and IMMEDIATELY called the lease company who confirmed they only expected an OILCHANGE/FILTER PLUS INSPECTION. I contacted the garage direct IMMEDIATELY given the time it takes Servicestop to pick up the phone, and the garage confirmed they had flushed the engine already but not the pollen item, so I've cancelled this.
Not happy with the hiking of costs quite frankly relying on the customer's ignorance and equally dubious as to whether the engine flush had already happened. You need to reassess the invoice and send a new link.
As I type this I've had the phone to my ear listening to Servicestops jingle.
I conintued to communicate with the garage over Facebook Messenger. They had the car on the 22nd August. On the 30th September they said they would finish pricing the job up tomorrow. After me messaging them three times I got a reply on the 8th October saying it “with forged parts you are looking at 2 grand buddy” my reply was “head blown off, money is really tight, what is the £2,000 exactly for?” Garage then called me and confirmed it would be forged rods, pistons basically getting the car back on the road but replacing some core components with forged parts hence why it was so expensive. I agreed to get the work done. 13 October I was told the car would be done in 2 weeks, 26th October I was told the car would be another 2 weeks. On 30th November garage messaged me to pop up and go over some final details. Popped up and faced with a bill of £2,882 and it still needed to get mapping done which was going to be another minimum £300. So in total the bill came to £3182. Since the original quote of £2,000 I was never informed that it was going to cost more. The car is still not finished and they have said it would be ready on this Wednesday / Thursday.
Essentially I have paid and I have expressed my feelings toward the garage sincerely and politely to make sure I don’t upset anyone or come across as aggressive etc.
What can I do?
They obviously don't charge me for the fix they did - but they did it without my approval and I am not happy.
Can you help?
Less than three weeks later the turbo goes again and the garage has it back in for longer than we had it back, did another two oil changes and engine flush and we had it back three weeks later in July 2017.
Within 4,000 miles (and March 2018) we were getting noise from the engine so we took it back to them and they took a look and recommended that there may be a bit of sludge and we were driving it too gently and should put our foot down to clear it.
We drove it as normal but six weeks later the car makes an awful noise and my wife has to stop and get RAC to recover her home.
I paid for the car to be taken to the garage and they say that it is a build up of oil sludge in the oil pump pipe and the engine is wrecked, essentially writing off the car.
I mentioned that we had paid for two full oil changes and two engine flushes when the turbo went on (as required by the warranty) and their reply was basically "tough" these things happen and they weren't to know.
I feel the advice given by the mechanic directly led to the engine malfunction (as if he had properly assessed it we would not have driven it until it was flushed properly.
Frustrated as we also took it in to have an MOT after he said it was OK and over £200 later the car is a write off. After spending £800 on the turbo fitting and full kit and not even having last a year, or even a few thousand miles, we feel conned that something like sludge has killed the engine after being promised that FOUR flushes were done in total over the two months they had the car in and out of the garage.
Surely this should not have built up in such a short time, and if it had the garage that did the engine flush, and were notified of the noise, should bare responsibility.
Hoping that someone can help point us in the right direction or let us know if we are wasting our time perusing this?
Thank you, Jonathan
When I first got the quote he told me I won't need a service as putting all the fluids is included. I feel like he is trying to bump up this invoice. Should I pay & take it to the small claims court. I have tried to talk to the garage but they are refusing to discuss it.
I explained again, the driver would have used the wipers on collection as the weather was wet and If he did not report that only one wiper was working, then I can only assume they were were working normaly.I asked if the engine bay had been pressure washed as at a glance it looked very clean and could water have got into the wiper motor ? following the valleting service he said no but I did not go back to my car to check at that point as it was now back in the workshop.
The manager then asked one of he`s staff for a price for a wiper motor, the cost was £195 he said he would fit the motor for free but I would have to pay for the part.
This is when the dispute began. I told him I was upset by the news and felt I was put in a position, to now prove that the wipers were working properly when the car was collected. I said If I had to pay I would look to be getting a refund via a small claims court. I left the car with them as he agreed that it was not in a safe condition to drive even though the paper work I was handed after excess payment was made states " YOUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH QUALITY CONTROL CHECKS DURING THE COURSE OF THE REPAIR AND HAS PASSED THE FINAL QUALITY CONTROL EXAMINATION"
I rang AXA when I got home and told then what had happened.
They rang me back after an hour and said they had spoken to the manager. They will now have to get a report from the manager and send it to AXA`s engineer to give a verdict. The person I spoke to did say the manager might have overlooked the wiper on first inspection. I am still waiting to see what is going to happen now.
I can only say the whole following a front end collision.
My car was collected from my premises to the repair garage. I had been using the car for a week after the collision as the damage was not Great and all the normal functions were working, lights, horn, indicators, windscreen wipers, hazard warning lights. I would not have used the car If I thought it was not safe to drive.
The car was collected from my home 8.30 am and weather light rain.I signed for the collection in my kitchen as the paperwork was handed to me on my drive and was getting wet. The car was taken and a courtesy car given.
I called the Garage after a week had gone by and asked when I could get It back. I was told the repair had begun and they were awaiting parts but would be a few more days.
I went to collect my car a few days later.
The repair work looked good. I gave the car a cursory inspection, I asked the receptionist If she would just watch while I tried the lights indicators etc. She came outside and confirmed the light were functioning ok and said all the necessary checks would have been done. I went back into the office and paid my excess.
I came out of the office and got in my car to drive off, It had starte
How to complain to Ford company about the poor quality of the component?
My 17year old son took his car to a garage . It needed a new gearbox and clutch .We were quoted 1600 .Go to.pick it up the car , the bill is 2.300 .They had to replace fly wheel but they went ahead and did this without discussing it with us first . They did have my son number .
Were do we stand and who can I complain to ??.
I am so angry that they have done the work without asking us and they didnt even mention at any stage that the fly wheel would need to be replaced .
Thank you in advance for any advice
Thank you
Independent specialists are confirming that the oil not being changed is the most likely cause but the Mercedes dealer are not owning up to their fault. What now?
I submitted my beloved ,Smart car in to a local garage after an initial consultation with Mercedes Benz.
The Repairs from Mercedes Benz would have cost me £1600 , so I went to my local garage who I have used before for small jobs and MOTS.
Upon consulting my local garage with the ,Mercedes quotation ,the local garage said that he could complete the repairs in two days and at accost of £650.
Unfortunately, this episode of using this local garage turned out to be an exercise in the most worst kind of customer service I have ever had to endure.
The time scale the local garage eventually held my car, peaked at 31 Days and all during this time I never ever got a telephone call regarding position of updates it, was always me calling them and with a response of it will be ready in a couple of days.
All throughout this episode I was never ever offered any alternative transport (courtesy car), but what my family was offered was, threats when demanding the car back.
It got so bad that we, had to ask in intermediary friend to try and get the car back.
Unfortunately this did not work either, but eventually and due to more pressure from the intermediary the garage admitted defeat and returned the car but, not after completing the repairs.
No this had to be done at an alternative garage which specialised Smart.
When the car arrived at the alternative garage it had flat tyres ,flat battery and was in a sate of unrepaired when missing bolts from it.
Ok the original garage had repatriated the car to the alternative garage but, never even notified them it was coming but, just had the low loader driver dump it and run.
When the alternative garage eventually discovered from the low loader driver where the car had come from the alternative garage called the original garage and asked for my number, but what they got was abuse from the owner and a comment of watch out for her meaning me.
Eventually I had to pay the alternative garage a similar price for the repairs as Mercedes because the attempted repairs of the local garage were bad.
Surely my case is one that does warrant an element of reimbursement and compensation for the treatment sustained.
Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
After reading this particular course of events it
We have had our car (2013 plate) for less than 3 years, 2 weeks ago, out of the blue the car broke down (issue with the coolant) and wouldn't start. It got towed to the dealership where we bought it from. They have told us that it needs a new engine. The car has low mileage and we have had the car serviced by the dealership each year and no-one else has touched the engine.
The dealership say that the fault is not ours, as nothing we would have done could have caused such catastrophic damage, we also checked whether it could have been down to pot holes and they said no. This suggests to me that the fault was there when we bought the car, or has 'developed' since then and the mechanics servicing the car haven't picked up on it. The dealership have offered to pay 25% of the repair bill but we are arguing that they should cover the whole cost of the bill - do we have a case?
I have recently had fitted a new front spring a clutch and flywheel and a new cam belt and water pump in my 2004 golf. Having recieved the car back, it wasn't running right at all so I took it back and they advised me that the car was like that prior to having done the work????!
Should the garage not have said we have took it for a test drive and it's not running right, do you still want to have the work done?
It's now 4 weeks later and the car is getting worse. I took it back to the garage to complain again and they have now said it needs a thousand pound more work doing in the space of 4 weeks since spending £1000.
I feel totally robbed as I believe if they test drive the car and knew it wasn't right yet still did the repairs without informing me it was going to cost me more money to get right.
Is there anything I can do?
Thanks
While it was being serviced they phoned me to say they had damaged my car by jet washing it. Paint the size of a small hand had come off. It cad been repaired 2 years previously by Mercedes Brentford. There was a small damage since then on the same panel but I foot away and some scuffing on the bumper. They have offered to pay half of the repair. Which I find unfair. They deny responsibility making excuses that water has come through the paintwork and loosened the original repair. I tried Mercedes head office who raised the issue but could do nothing else useful. I should go to a London lawyer, can you help. I do not know how to proceed
Thank you!
Hi need some advice I took my car to a garage for a new cluch end of July..8 weeks ago...other day noticed a burning smell and cluch slipping looked under my car oil dripping all over took the car to the garage who did the cluch...he's come up with its faulty gear box...I have never had any gearbox trouble until the cluch was fitted I've got a feeling this as happened when the cluch was fitted any advice please
Picked it up 4hrs later and jumped in to take it home. I pulled out of the parking bay only to hear a really bad grinding noise to the front and found the front wheels are rubbing the front bumper. On full lock the wheels are grinding and rubbing the front housing. It's undrivable and so I left it at the garage and refused to take it off the forecourt. I now have a courtesy car until Monday but I'm wondering how and what has happened to my beautiful car.
If I'd driven it off the forecourt and brought it back with this complaint I bet I would have been accused of damaging it myself so m glad I had the sense to leave it there. What they will say on Monday is a real worry and what they will do to. Will keep you posted. Kaz14.
The parts put in the engine cost £220.......
But because the problem is still there and the engine still rattles I'd say it did'nt need the parts..
UPDATE.........Various calls later and one today (14.06.2016) The garage rang again and said they cannot get the car to idle correctly and the engine still rattles).........But yet they want me to take the car away.....Drive it.......And see if the idle problem solves itself........It sounds to me as though they just want rid of me as a customer..........Plus I would still be left with the original engine rattle fault...........
Should I go and collect the car.......Or would that be a mistake ?
Would appreciate some advice as soon as possible please......As they are expecting me to take my faulty car away within a few days....Many thanks
I went away for the week only using my car to dive there and back, didn't use it for the week I was there. To my horror as I turned into my street the whining noise was there like before. I checked my power stearing fluid and it was completely empty! I've refilled the fluid and it's leaking out.
I started to think last year when he didn't give correct warranty on a battery and wouldn't answer me when it failed within the warranty period.
I also had a new clutch fitted and drove 500 miles on it before taking car off road due to winter.i have just had the car fully checked over by a recommended mechanic, and it seems all of the upgrades he did were using fake parts,some not even done at all and areas sealed shut under the rear seats so I would never have been able to check, the wrong fluids have been put in and the new clutch I paid for appears to be a used one
I'm so angry he has had all my money these years and scammed me.the problem is I want to tell him I know he has scammed me but how do I do it without bringing the new mechanic into it,as things can start to get messy and ruin the reputation of the new mechanic, why should he be allowed to get away with it???
I asked for verification that the microphone on the HFT (hand free) was at fault, as I had already ascertained this. They charged me £51 pound for a hand written scribble to say it wasn't working. I asked for a printout of the diagnostic, which they were unable to provide. I would like to know what recourse I have with Brindley Honda in West Bromwich, Is there anyway of checking work has been undertaken, satisfactorly.
From begging of buying 2010 C class AMG design, we had to argue with them to bring unnecessary price down. Like insurance on upholstery and guard for paint and etc. About £800 we brought the price down.
Then one week after signing the finance agreement, I realised that the shock absorbers need to be changed. After twice taking it back to them they finally admitted that they need to be changed.
Then after few months when I could not cancel the agreement, the rattling sound was coming from back of the car. It made me very angry. I spoke to them about it but they said it is nothing they can do about it. Two years ago they did not say to us what it is. Luckily, the sound disappeared. (I will say about it end of the comment).
I have to say if the car Mercedes approved why the handle paint is coming off when I do not use rear doors at all. Even if I use should not be come off. Also the paint on rear bumper pilled off. Good we had still our warranty which we had bought it on agreement.
After two years they told us that we need to change the whole front break. I took the car earlier than they told me as I did not want to have accident with %70 worn break.
They change them plus two front tyres and something else that I do not remember its name. Something like stud. All together cost £350. Fair enough on that but after extending the service time to 5 hours the bill came out £950. It means about £600 labour cost.
Fanny yeah, disgusting I should say because next day in weekend I called emergency phone number and they carry the car to them and they gave me courtesy car from Europcar. I was waiting for these all day on Saturday, morning till afternoon. the reason was because the break was stopping car in about 5 meter distance, maybe more with speed of around 30 miles ph.
Why should car coming out of garage without bedding the breaks. As they said we have to drive 200 miles to be ok. Up to this day, we have driven about 150 miles but breaks still are not what the genuine Mercedes parts should do. Also the break sensor was faulty after a week so another weekend we spent with them but they did not want to see us while working on the car but I did talk to them and told them that I do not bothered anymore about full service history on their computer system and I will go any other garage which is much cheaper labour and I will trust them more now after all these horrible experiences.
Then recently estimation for three very tiny scratches done by idiot youngsters near school which it is very hard to see, came up to be £1050.
After half agreement period gone, we decided to have estimation to see how much worth the £18000 Mercedes and if we can change it to new version. I just made myself angry by doing so because their estimation is £8000!!!
£10000 losing in just two years.
So now these words round and round around my mind, Approved Mercedes, Honestly, Safe, Mercedes Genuine Parts.
Everything was going soft, but a day I met a heavy rain and some drops entered into the engine through the turbo admission. From this moment I got all kind of problems. Local dealer asked me to repair the engine at my own expenses, as the car was quite new. Their solution was to install a new engine, whose cost would be the almost the same as the cost of a new car.
Never in my life I have had such a bad experience. It happens once and never more. Next time I will buy any standard car from Ford, Chrysler, Chevrolet, Toyota or even Hyundai, and I am quite sure they will never leave me thrown like a cigarette butt.
I questioned the cost of labour charged at 5.5 hours for the sunroof repair, when I had previously been quoted 3 to 4 hours. He said he must have made a mistake, so printed off a new quote, reduced by £200 from £595 to £390. It would come with no guarantee other than the £10 hose that they planned to fit. I said if you have a leaky hosepipe and carry out a repair, the leak wIll find the next weakest point and leak there? So why didn't the dealer operate caution and replace all the hose parts when they are of relatively low cost, while the major task and cost of taking the roof lining was down? He said they have to make money and it would do themselves out of business......so I said I could be back next week then with leaks on the near side, he said, yes, we don't have a crystal ball! They do however advise on unconnected work, that is not necessary but clearly states on the quote that it needs to be done urgently? Where is the ethics in this VW dealership? I asked if I could view the offending hose, and he said I could go back on Monday when the fitter was in and he would show it to me. I said I would take the car away, being as it was left outside uncovered with a leaking sunroof. He said it may not be in a drivable condition as the work was on hold and in progress. When advised that it was completely in tact, he said, oh well the fitter must have out it all back together.... In which case he would not be able to show me the offending hose. Does anyone think that a fitter would loosen the lining and see the offending problem, and then put it back together when it is work in progress? Removing the lining is a very tricky process and can cause damage. I removed the car from the premise, am in receipt of the 2 written conflicting quotations, awaiting VW to call. I have little faith in them, however, I can always call upon trading standards for advice. Does anyone else have any suggestions of course of action?
Within a few weeks, it was evident that the roof was still leaking on the OS. I took it back to the dealer under a warranty repair. I was immediately told that I would have to pay for a diagnostic at £60 which I challenged and refused to pay. The technician phoned and said he had the roof lining down and could not find anything wrong. I said that there must be something to explain the wet lining! He said he would go away and take another look.
The following day, the VW service advisor phoned, (not the technician himself) and said a leak had been found at the front OS, so was not covered by the warranty. It would cost 3 to 4 hours labour as the roof lining would have to be taken down and was a bigger job than the back. It became an issue, as I felt I was being ripped off, so said I would consult with VW customer service, who in turn promised to look into it within 24 to 48 hours. The job was placed on hold. The weekend approached and VW CS had not even phoned the dealership. I went to the garage unannounced on Saturday morning. Heavy rain was forecast. The car was outside on the garage forecourt uncovered. Having my spare key, I checked the inside of the vehicle and considering the job was on hold, I expected to view the work in progress, ie the roof lining loosened? The car was in the same condition as it was when it was supplied. The service advisor was unaware that I had inspected it, and I challenged him about the findings. I asked for a written quotation, which he had already prepared and had in a file. The quotation was for £1614 which was £595 for the roof repair and the remainder work that was advised as a result of a vehicle health check. It included work that I have recently had done by anot
Took the car in and 5 hours later advised 2 motors were faulty... Air filters were over due washers need unblocking cam belt needs replacing disk pads worn to 85% brake fluid needs replacing tyres need changing rattling in the boot needs investigating, oil filter and spark plugs need changing, wing mirror lights and condensation in rear light needs fixing and investigating all costing over £2.500!
Now considering I had only only purchased the car 14 months earlier and they had only completed a service on the car and mot on the car 3 months prior I find it odd how things such as oil filters, spar plugs oil changing etc was required again or "overdue" and strange how the mot did not state or recommend any changes or modifications to be required. Why such a long list of repairs a few months later when all I went in for was for the roof to be checked.
What makes it more ridiculous is I work from home and only drive my car 2 maybe 3times a week to the local gym! Mileage since the mot is very little. The garage is a rip off!
I was interested in the new Mercedes C350e plug in and after learning that it had been approved for a rebate from the government for plug in electric cars, I went to my local dealer. They did not have any allocated to them in the foreseeable future but I did talk about their Dealer contribution scheme. The Mercedes web site shows a couple of examples for C class cars and quotes a contribution of around £3,500 per car. I asked if the scheme applied across all C class cars or only those in the examples given on the Mercedes site. I was told that it currently applied to all cars in the range (AMG has a separate scheme). They had no details of the C350e but could not see why it would not apply as the government rebate came from the government, not Mercedes, so did not affect them at all. I also learnt that the contribution was given largely by Mercedes finance, not the local dealer.
A couple of months later, I heard that the dealer had been given an allocation of C350e cars so I made an appointment - ready to do business!
After having configured a car, I was informed that for this particular C class model (ie the C350e) there would be no dealer contribution. I enquired why and was told, in summary, that when combined with the government rebate it made the car too cheap!
Naturally I did not proceed with the purchase and that day complained to Mercedes via their customer services web site. I explained the scenario and put two points to them:
• The rebate was being given by the government and not Mercedes and so I felt it was non of their business how I funded the purchase.
• If they felt the rebate made the car too cheap – why did they bother registering it with the government scheme in the first place.
The conclusion that I draw is simply that Mercedes have used the Government scheme to increase their profits. They have, in effect used the government’s rebate as an excuse to increase the cost of the car (so as not to make it so cheap!) and take the majority of the rebate for themselves.
It has been several weeks now since I complained and have yet to get a response, other than the “we are looking into it” initial response to my email.
While I know they can offer what contributions they feel fit, I feel they are abusing the government scheme to they own benefit rather than passing the rebate onto the customer – which I assume is what the government intended.
I know of other manufacturers (not cars) that offer rebates on specific products and don’t know of one retailer that has used those as an excuse to put their prices up. Shameful I say.
Has anyone else has had any similar experiences or views on this practice.
Disgruntled and very angry.
Stevenage Mercedes messed up the 2013 service on my SLK200; failing to carry out the correct work properly and tried to get me to take/agree to oil additive after they had already changed the oil!!! This work was apparently carried out by the qualified 'quality' representative. Stevenage MB took the car back in 'to make amends' only to set the wrong service schedule indicator and the problems and confusion continued through the Jan 2014 service and now for this years service the SERVICE DIGITAL REPORT is different to the records held by the system at Mercedes head office. In my opinion the poor workmanship is only surpassed by the poor customer service and 'del-boy' management - do not use the Mercedes garage in Stevenage.
I am writing to make a formal complaint against Williams Gear box. My complaint is that they failed to repair my car, on the 3rd March 2014 I took a car to them to fix it because it was limping and they quoted me R14250 including labour. After a week I deposited the money on their account promising me that the car will be ready after 2weeks. A week after payment they told me that they are sending a car to Johannesburg because they are in short of spare parts, on the 13 March 2014 they called me to collect the car then I went to collect it I drove it that day the following morning it went back to limping I took back to them. They took it back to Johannesburg after that they said to me they have made an appointment at Chrysler garage on the 16 April 2014 while I’m waiting for feedback they tell me that I have to pay another R15000 I said to them I don’t understand why they are telling me cause I’ve already paid and they fail to fix my car. I ask them to return my car and the money cause they failed to fix it then on the 26 May I went to them to collect it then I realised It was having oil and water leakage and I notify them they wrote all the damages down.
I need a help cause the owner of company is refusing to pay me back and he said he is willing to go to court because he fixed the car.
I look forward to hear from you in near future.
Regards
Moses
I went to authorized Ford service dealer in WARSOP dated 25 July 2013, All I wanted to have a value service and in addition to this requested to check if car tracking is not correct to be fixed only if its required.
Left the car at Garage and later after 2 hrs got a phone car from the service centre saying your car is ready to be picked.
During making a payment asked the reception if the alignment is done properly? and if there is any discrepancy found will come back to you to get it corrected. The receptionist straight a way refused saying we cannot guarantee for this as if you drive say for a mile and due to a pothole your alignment can be out. Requested and explained him just driving a mile and without testing how can you verify if this is done properly.
Any how, after making the payment while driving back found the alignment was exactly same as it was before the car service, looks like they never done any job for alignment and charged me £36 separately.
So I called them back and explained them the alignment issue still there and the starring wheel is not even centred. The receptionist named Mike mentioned this is a separate job and would have to be charged as a new job we fixed the alignment and the workmanship is done perfectly as been identified. You should mentioned us the starring wheel job at the time of asking for tracking issue.
Can someone explain the technical point of fixing tracking of car, isn't this includes to check if the Starring Wheel in centred. The Warsop service centre are deceiving the innocent customers by word of mouth and should be questioned for charging expensive labour charges without doing the proper work.
Please any suggestion how to tackle them as really looking forward for to protect other customers as well, against these fraudulent money making service dealers.
First day of use it broke down with an electrical fault,recovered car back to the garage who found a fuse had blown.The following day, after one short journey, the same fuse blew again,renewed fuse to get me home.Today, after one short journey fuse blew again,but this time the fuse kept blowing on fitting.So I had to tow car home.
Two week after leaving the car in garage and paying £330 I now do not have a car I can use.The electrical fault was clearly introduced by the mechanic and he is now blaming anything for the fault.
Where do I stand?
Whilst all this is happening we had a holiday in France fast looming for which we needed the car to get there, we were promised on several occasions that the car would be ready in plenty of time, with just two days to spare we had to find an extra £1000 to hire a vehicle just to make our holiday possible!!!
Here we are approaching week 9 and still no car, one of my 5 children are disabled yet i've had to cancel several appointments with docs and specialist as i had no way of getting to them!
Does anyone know if there is any way I can claim any sort of compensation for the major problems caused???
I'm just wandering how much longer the garage that deal with nothing but Volvos will have my car, if they can't fix it what chance do i have??? A massive bill and still no car
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