Car repair quotation nightmare

QQQ

I am just one year here in the UK and these days I needed to do some car repair like wheel alignment, engine oil replacement, tyre replacement etc and called several local garage services with the question how much will these works cost. Most of people tried to offer me an unneeded expensive serviceing package and when they realized that I just look for cheap repair and nothing else did their best to finish phone call ASAP.

It takes quite much time to call local garages and tell what I need, does anyone know a website similar to expedia or moneysupermarket but about car repairs? So, it would ask for car model, postcode and what to repair (I know there are a lot of different types of car repairs) and then show me cheapest and reputable local garage.

jscalow

welcome to rip off Britain ! well done for not taking the first quote and shopping around. ask your work coleagues how they get their car serviced- sombody will know someone, when you find a good mechanic stick with them !

QQQ

jscalow wrote: »

ask your work coleagues how they get their car serviced- sombody will know someone, when you find a good mechanic stick with them !

Asked. They just pay, pay and pay. Is there any internet-based way to get quotation?

DatabaseError

services do cost money, alignment around £30, engine oil change £20-50 depending on car volume and oil type, i do my own for around £40 (good oil, new filter, big engine), new tyres also cost money

[Deleted User]

QQQ wrote: »

Asked. They just pay, pay and pay. Is there any internet-based way to get quotation?

Get in a taxi and ask the driver where's good to go

Millionaire

The wheel alignment/balance and tyre change can be done at almost any tyre place. Just find a local cheap garage. Also it my be worth getting part worns which may work out alot cheaper than buying new tyres.

In regards to oil change, I personally service my car myself, just get the parts which costs me around 25-35 quid. Again try a local garage rather than the big companies as they might do just a oil change rather than sticking to a service plan.

Ebe_Scrooge

The only way to avoid getting ripped off is to go to a garage that's recommended by friends. There's a lot of good, honest mechanics around, unfortunately there are also plenty of cowboys.

You could try looking here :

http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/

You can see comments that previous customers have written about garages. I won't claim it's 100% foolproof, but it's a fair start if you've got nothing else to go on.

Empty_pockets

Try a trye shop. They often do small repairs/servicing.

The bigger garages often have bigger work on.

Alternativley, why not do it yourself? Oil, oil filter and air filter can be done in 20 min. Dead easy.

Tryes and alinement will cost, but shouldn't be too much. You can get tyres from a scrap merchant for a fiver.


Where abouts are you located?

DCFC79

QQQ wrote: »

Asked. They just pay, pay and pay. Is there any internet-based way to get quotation?

There is no internet based way for qoutations, the best way is word of mouth, you tried lookin in the yellow pages for tyre fitters, you tried posting on this board as there might be other people who have found somewhere local to you

Empty_pockets

Another point i'll make whilst I am here.

A lot of the basic service is simply checks. You are paying for this in the service cost.

Go to a type shop and ask them to check your brakes..they will do it for free.

Ask them to check your battery, tyres lights etc, all for free. They will do this as they can make money on the possible remedial work.

These checks are important and if you are doing your own servicing it is vital that these check are actually made!

QQQ

Millionaire wrote: »

In regards to oil change, I personally service my car myself, just get the parts which costs me around 25-35 quid.

That's what I do. But for oil replacement you need at least two normally unavailable things: two-post lift and a dirty bucker for old oil.
And where do you dispose an old oil by the way?