Nationwide Autocentres

thegoon

Hi

I took my car (2002 Megane Convertible) in for major service into nationwide autocentres in cardiff and was told that there was fluid in the rear brake drums and that both pads and discs were below legal limit. I hvae since taken the car to an independent mechanic who has measured these and they are well above the legal limits, they also didnt change the brake fluid in the car which was paid for. Does anyone have any idea where i go next with this as i am not happy, it was my partner that they phoned i think on the assumption that she was a woman and that she would just say yes to the work. The service was nearly £200 and they wanted £360 on top for the brakes. I really want to complain and get some sort of compensation from this.

help

thegoon

kindanice

I can't help you, but I have had bad dealings with this company too.

Last year my car had a service & MOT. They rang me during the day with a huge list of problems with my car - asking if they should fix them. They quoted me over £700 to fix the lot. When I asked if all this needed doing to get the car through the MOT, they muttered no, only a tyre needed changing!

I too, felt hat they were trying it on just because I'm a woman. Needless to say, I won't be going back this year!

allycat999

Also can not help you but I wouldn't touch this company with a bargepole either. Took my Galaxy in for two new front tyres and they managed to jack it incorrectly and damage both sides, told me it was fine that it was not damaged. As the car is only 1 year old and I was not convinced took it to the dealership for a second opinion who confirmed it was damaged. :mad:
Took ages to sort out but the car was repaired by the dealership, their insurance paid, cars now fine but would never ever deal with these people again.

Katie_Bell

That really suprises me. We use the one in Worcester, and they are really great. I guess every branch is different.

Sorry to hear about all of your bad experiences.

wobbley

If the fluid 'obviously' hasn't been changed then go back and ask for the manager. Tell him you are not happy and point out that if the fluid hasn't been done then you can not rely on anything else they said they may have done for the service. Ask for a FULL refund and tell them you will go to Trading Standards if they don't.
This is a 'scam' that is all too commonplace in this type of business and relies on the lack of technical knowledge of the customer to not know they are being ripped off.
There is no "legal" limit for discs either, only a 'service' limit. if the brakes work to a certain efficiency then they are legal.
Every so often TS or (usually) Channel 4 do "Rogue Trader" type investigations on these type of Auto Centres. The few I've seen have alarming results with a very high percentage of the work being not needed or, as th the OP's case - not even done.

sconhead

your brake fluid should not need to be changed not on a 2002 megan.they usually just top it up on a service.I would never use a franchised auto center as they are known for creating work that does not need doing,tyre centers are the worst.
You are best asking freinds if they can suggest a good independant garage in future

dawnydee73

I too would not use these again. Left it to the very last minute for a full service and MOT. Got a phone call at work to say the brake pads were worn (its always the brake pads when they try to con you). I was very unsure about this but I didn't have the time before the MOT ran out to take my car to another garage. I needed two new tyres, which I knew they were worn but they charged a fortune for them. When I questioned them about the price they said they were big tyres! I drive a Nissan Almera not a tractor.

Next time I'll make sure I've plenty of time to take my car to another garage if I'm not sure about any problems.

honeybunny49

My daughter had a bad experience with a branch of national autocentres in the Nottinghamshire area. She took her car in for a service and when she went to collect it she was told the head gasket 'may have gone' however, they were not sure ! She got into her car and found the mat and steering wheel covered in oil (which she still has coming off onto her hands two weeks later) As she drove down the road the front bumper guard fell off and was dragging along the road. She had to abandon her car on the pavement and walk back to the garage and a mechanic fetched the car and re-attached the bumper guard. During all this the staff were very indifferent to her. She is a young woman and I think it is another case of female and not knowing much about cars. However, she drives a company car and is passing on what I have read here and her experience to her fleet manager.

The update today is that she was due to have some more work done to her car tomorrow and her fleet manager has contacted her this morning and booked her into a different garage. I certainly will never use Nationwide Autocentres.

Zaphod_Beblebrocks

Went in there for one of their cheap oil changes, the muppets filled it to the top of the writing on the dipstick not the line, 1 litre of oil had to be drained out!

Papudrak

Hey. Two days ago I left my car in Nationwide Autocentres/Maidstone. I ordered major service. Of corse my car did not pass mot, because there was something wrong with exhaust system(about 4 weeks before I had done mot and exhaust was okay, so that was wired for me, because I know if there is something wrong with my car or not, I take a look at everything few times monthly). When I came to home the same day by my car, I noticed that rear car-matts disappeard. I will never visit Nationwide Autocentres again. Regards (papudrak@yahoo.com)

hollydays

Papudrak wrote: »

Hey. Two days ago I left my car in Nationwide Autocentres/Maidstone. I ordered major service. Of corse my car did not pass mot, because there was something wrong with exhaust system(about 4 weeks before I had done mot and exhaust was okay, so that was wired for me, because I know if there is something wrong with my car or not, I take a look at everything few times monthly). When I came to home the same day by my car, I noticed that rear car-matts disappeard. I will never visit Nationwide Autocentres again. Regards (papudrak@yahoo.com)

surely- a phone call to them asking where your mats are wouldnt be unreasonable?