National auto centre MOT TEST...problem

Torry_Quine

My OH had his car MOT at Nationwide in December and it needed a tyre replaced and the brake pipe replaced as it was corroded. However they 'advised' that another tyre was perished and needing to be replaced soon, the front brake pads were very low and the oil sump was badly corroded and leaking. He didn't get the work done as it was due for annual service in January so he told Nationwide that he would get his local mechanic to do the work then.

Surprise, surprise the mechanic says that none of the work needs to be done. The brake pads still have 20% left, enough for another 4000 miles which will be about 6 months, all tyres naturally have some perishing and there is still 5mm of tread and there is no leakage from the sump!!

We are really angry as someone could easily have just got all the work done which would have cost a small fortune. My OH went back and challenged them and needless to say we won't be going back and only used them because he got a discount as an AA member. :mad:

goldspanners

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Surprise, surprise the mechanic says that none of the work needs to be done. The brake pads still have 20% left, enough for another 4000 miles which will be about 6 months

20% left on pads? i would be replacing then if mine were this low. how does he know 20% will give 4000 miles/ 6 months use? will he be driving it? is your car only driven up hill?

Torry_Quine

goldspanners wrote: »

20% left on pads? i would be replacing then if mine were this low. how does he know 20% will give 4000 miles/ 6 months use? will he be driving it? is your car only driven up hill?

He's a trained mechanic and knows that the pads will last for about 4000 miles and as our annual mileage is 8000 miles that equates to 6 months! Unlike Nationwide my OH trusts him as he doesn't do unnecessary work.

goldspanners

Torry_Quine wrote: »

He's a trained mechanic and knows that the pads will last for about 4000 miles and as our annual mileage is 8000 miles that equates to 6 months! Unlike Nationwide my OH trusts him as he doesn't do unnecessary work.

so am i, and at 20% left on pads i would change them, they only cost a few quid.

my point being that the guy at nationwide doesnt know how many miles you do or how you drive. driving style matters just as much as mileage regarding the longevity of the pads.
i think he done the right thing alerting you to the condition of the pads, after all,when would you have noticed they were low? next mot? or when you had no brakes?
maybe the other work was unecessary.

Leonie

You're right about that - it was exactly what the usual mechanic said when OH took it back there: - 'Well, that's what they do, isn't it?'

Torry_Quine

goldspanners wrote: »

so am i, and at 20% left on pads i would change them, they only cost a few quid.

my point being that the guy at nationwide doesnt know how many miles you do or how you drive. driving style matters just as much as mileage regarding the longevity of the pads.
i think he done the right thing alerting you to the condition of the pads, after all,when would you have noticed they were low? next mot? or when you had no brakes?
maybe the other work was unecessary.

Nationwide didn't even remove the wheels to check the pads but merely looked through a hole! They will be changed in adequate time with safety always a top priority.

jonathon

you dont need to remove the wheels looking through a hole is enough

RichyRich

They don't remove the wheels on an MOT, they can only do a visual check "through the holes"

CarolinePittard

DO NOT USE NATIONWIDE AUTOCENTRES - they have OVERCHARGED me! At Nationwide Autocentre, Shirley Retail Park, Solihull my bill totalled £283 for a radiator replacement on Friday 12th June 2009.This was for a job taking less than 1/2 hour on my Peugeot 206 1.1. I suspected that I had been overcharged so contacted Nationwide Autocentre, Olton Branch, to see what they would quote..I am now in receipt of a fax quoting £198 for the same job! So I have been overcharged more than 40% and completely ripped off!! DO NOT USE NATIONWIDE AUTOCENTRES

I have since made a complaint to their Customer Services Department in Olton, Solihull on 0121 707 5811. They have confirmed the overcharged and tried to attribute blame to themselves being given an overinflated price on the radiator part from one of their suppliers. I do not believe this as the part was in stock and fitted immediately! They are simply trying to cover up their overcharge rip-off inflated labour price.

As Nationwide Autocentre is "audited by the AA every 6 months to ensure costs are correct and quality is to high standards" ..they have a lot to lose. I will be writing to the Managing Director of Nationwide Autocentre, Duncan Wilkes, and also the Operations Director, Bill Duffy, to highlight this scandalous service which I have received. Nationwide Autocentre is also a member of the trade association "Traders of the Retail Motor Industry Federation" and so I will be writing to them also to highlight Nationwide Autocentre's overcharging as this trade association is supposed to ensure certain standards are complied with, which Nationwide Autocentre has breached in my experience.
Under consumer law, for example the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (and subsequent Acts) consumers have the 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.

Make sure you complain about your experience if you suspect that you have been treated unfairly.. I have written to the BBC..at The One Show, and also intend to write to Trading Standards, the Managing Director and Operations Director at Nationwide Autocentre, and the Traders of the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

If you visit other websites such as Ciao, Canyoutrustthem and Dooyoo you will see other similar complaints about Nationwide Autocentre...get justice and complain now..let your voice be heard and for your complaint to count, to hopefully stop this scandalous over pricing happening to other members of the public.

CarolinePittard

DO NOT USE NATIONWIDE AUTOCENTRES - they have OVERCHARGED me! At Nationwide Autocentre, Shirley Retail Park, Solihull my bill totalled £283 for a radiator replacement on Friday 12th June 2009.This was for a job taking less than 1/2 hour on my Peugeot 206 1.1. I suspected that I had been overcharged so contacted Nationwide Autocentre, Olton Branch, to see what they would quote..I am now in receipt of a fax quoting £198 for the same job! So I have been overcharged more than 40% and completely ripped off!! DO NOT USE NATIONWIDE AUTOCENTRES

I have since made a complaint to their Customer Services Department in Olton, Solihull on 0121 707 5811. They have confirmed the overcharged and tried to attribute blame to themselves being given an overinflated price on the radiator part from one of their suppliers. I do not believe this as the part was in stock and fitted immediately! They are simply trying to cover up their overcharge rip-off inflated labour price.

As Nationwide Autocentre is "audited by the AA every 6 months to ensure costs are correct and quality is to high standards" ..they have a lot to lose. I will be writing to the Managing Director of Nationwide Autocentre, Duncan Wilkes, and also the Operations Director, Bill Duffy, to highlight this scandalous service which I have received. Nationwide Autocentre is also a member of the trade association "Traders of the Retail Motor Industry Federation" and so I will be writing to them also to highlight Nationwide Autocentre's overcharging as this trade association is supposed to ensure certain standards are complied with, which Nationwide Autocentre has breached in my experience.
Under consumer law, for example the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (and subsequent Acts) consumers have the 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.

Make sure you complain about your experience if you suspect that you have been treated unfairly.. I have written to the BBC..at The One Show, and also intend to write to Trading Standards, the Managing Director and Operations Director at Nationwide Autocentre, and the Traders of the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

If you visit other websites such as Ciao, Dooyoo and Canyoutrustthem you will see other similar complaints about Nationwide Autocentre...get justice and complain now..let your voice be heard and for your complaint to count, to hopefully stop this scandalous over pricing happening to other members of the public.