I cant stand Garages

maka_2

I took my car in for the M.O.T 3 days later i hear back saying it failed and will take £660 to fix £440 for parts and £220 on labour.
i tought this was very strange because on the whole the car does not get used a great deal anyway and when it does its a 5min trip to the supermarket.
do i decided to do a little investigation work today i called the garage and asked them for a price break down it went a bit like this

2x brake disks £40 each + vat
2x pads £40 each + vat
1x shock absober £50 + vat
a new starter motor £86.29 + vat
and so on.

I called a company called i have got small car bits from before and told him what i wanted 10 mins later i get a call saying they have them all in stock for

2x brake disks £10 each inc vat
2x pads £10 each inc vat
1x shock absober £43 inc vat
a new starter motor £62 inc vat
and so on.
i then decided to call a few garages and asked for a quote fitting the stuff the highest quote i got was £120 still way £100 off but the best i got was a quote for £80 this was from that company i told you were im getting my parts from its his dad.who has been est well over 50 years.

so my plan is to get this all fitted take the car back to were i got it mot'd because they cant fail it on anything else then where as another garage more than likley would so they can make some money to.
i think there should be some sort of a list telling you were the best garages are in your area that are not trying to rip you off. because i dread to think how many people there are across the uk that would just take it at face value and pay up.

trigger_mike

always cheaper to go straght to a motor factors to get your parts as garages tend to rip you as they make profot on the parts then again on fiting them, always shop around! p.s im sure a car can not fail an mot on a starter motor.

maka_2

sorry it did'nt fail on the starter motor i asked them to look at it because some thing in the engine is making a scratching sound when you turn the key.

Xbigman

You probably don't need brake disks, just pads. A lot of garages recommend changing both but it is really not nescesary 95% of the time, just really profitable. Just don't try to MOT it with new pads on old disks until you have driven 10-15 miles so they can wear in.
Regards



X

vansboy

Different garages charge different prices - like everything else!!

If you think the testing station failed WRONGLY, check the failure form & appeal. Probably not worth the bother, though!!

I'd also suggest NOT changing ONE shock absorber - replace as a pair, for better stability & handling.

VB

Jnelhams

I use Nationwide Autocentres. They seem to do a good job normally, plus you get TESCO Clubcard points!!

http://www.nationwideautocentres.co.uk/special_offers.asp

Slavo

maka, it could very well possibly only require cleaning (in regards to your starter motor) Bear in mind that you must give your old starter motor to the company you buy your new one (recon'd) from.

If you are at all mechanically minded, I would suggest doing the work yourself.

It really is simple to change brake pads + discs.
As is changing the starter motor!! that's only usually 2 bolts (that is if you are going to replace it).

I've not needed to change a shock absorber before on a car yet, but can't imagine it being difficult.

Discs very rarely warp too or wear that much at all, It all sounds a bit fishy to me! Do you hear / feel a juddering when you brake? if so, does it get worse under heavy braking?

Even the least mechanical minded person can inspect a brake disc, simply by removing the wheel and run your finger from the centre of the disc outwards, particularly where the pad would start / stop and feel for any major ridges.

At the same time you can check your pads, if you have a minimum of 1mm of 'meat' on them I'd be having words with the MOT tester!

Hope this helps!

John

*Louise*

Jnelhams wrote:

I use Nationwide Autocentres. They seem to do a good job normally, plus you get TESCO Clubcard points!!

http://www.nationwideautocentres.co.uk/special_offers.asp

My partner is a mechanic who works for them. I would ask him what their prices are for those jobs but I don't think he'd appreciate being elbowed awake at this hour, hehe. I will ask him tomorrow and post it then.

In the meantime:

If you can take your own parts with you - do it, it will annoy the heck out of them, but they deserve it for charging those prices.

Also - a good tip...the parts they say they are changing - ask them to keep them for you to inspect, then they are less likely to charge you for parts that they haven't actually bothered to change. Some places are really unscrupulous like that.

And be sneaky......mark your parts (or get someone else to!) with tippex or nail varnish so you know they came from your car and not someone else's.

Personally, if I were you, I would get the jobs done at a different garage that has given you a cheaper quote.

indiegirl_2

maka wrote:

i think there should be some sort of a list telling you were the best garages are in your area that are not trying to rip you off.

The Honest John website is one of my favourites for car 'assistance'. There's also a list of garages that come recommended by users of the site here.

Check the right-hand side of the screen at the top to select the area where you live. It's not comprehensive, as it relies on word-of-mouth and people letting the site owner know of their garages, but if there are any in your area, it's always good to know...

maka_2

i got back the fail mot it says on it there is a mass fluid leak from the shock absober
then
nearside front brake disk excessively worn (3.5.1h)
offside front brake disk excessively worn (3.5.1h)
nearside rear wheel bearing has excessive play.
nearside front brake pad wearing thin (3.5.1f)
offside front brakepads wearing thin (3.5.1f)
cat convertor brick loose.

i had a chat with a couple of people that work in motor yesterday they said that ears the company i went to use to be the best garage around but over the last 12 months have been taking on a bunch of cowboys to make them some money i guy who i bought the parts from said he has had at least 2 complaints a week about them over the last 8-12 months.