Nationwide Autocentres

SonofFred

2 years ago I booked my 3 y old ford Ka in to Nationwide Eastleigh for its first MOT (+service) . It had only done 8k since bought it new so I wasn't expecting too many problems.
I was surprised to get a call saying my one of my front brake hoses was split and leaking - best get the pair replaced was the advice. The price £212!
Thats OK I told them I'll take it back to the dealer. "But its not under warranty" said the manager. "Oh yes it is" I said" it's got 3 years and there is still two weeks left"
"They wouldnt replace a brake hose" he spluttered" Oh yes they would ! They just put the invoice into Ford as replace defective parts, I'm coming to collect the KA".
I just had just got my shoes on when I had another call.
"Hello Sir, we just had another look at that Brake Hose....not split at all! Just needed tightening up...done it for you, no charge"
LOL!!

kirky46

I've had similar problems unfortunately. I recently had cause to call out the AA to a breakdown however they refused to tow me home even though I had relay on my policy as they could fix the car locally. As I was 250 miles from home and they weren't budging on the tow I had to give in and here's where my car ended up in the hands of nationwide autocentre. AA phoned them before my car went there and I was quoted no more than £40 for the part - it cost £55. When I picked the car up I was informed the ABS light was on which was not on when the car was taken to the garage. The bloke advised me it was probably just a fault with the light and would probably go out as I was driving and was nothing to worry about and I stupidly believed him in my desperation to get home. Once home my car was checked by my local ford garage who advised my ABS sensor was broken. They suspect someone had been working in the area of the sensor with a hammer and missed causing the sensor to be smashed. It was irrepairable so I had to shell out for a new one. When it was in to be fixed the garage looked at the suspension spring nationwide autocentre had replaced and noticed it wasn't in its mounting meaning it could have come free at any time and cause me to be in a very serious accident due to it being fitted incorrectly. In all I was allowed to drive 250 miles in a car which would have failed an mot on 3 counts - the flexi brake pipe wasn't clamped in place, the spring was not in its mounting and my abs wasn't working. It's luck I made it home in one piece. I just worry for the people driving round out there unaware of the faults caused to their cars by nationwide autocentre. I have complained but so far nothing has been done and AA not interested either however I am out of pocket £200 so won't be letting this go. This was the manchester 2 branch in hyde road.:mad:

navstar

On Saturday 19th September, my car failed it's MOT. As a result, I was informed that there will be a half price charge for the re-test to which I was extremely surprised and angry to hear about as there is not mentioned in the T&C on their website.

Historically, I have never been charged for a re-test by local garages. Secondly, staff have been polite and courteous and where there has been a fault have always ensured that I see where the fault is rather than just been told.

Following a re-test today, I was given a further surprise and asked to pay £27 instead of £13.50 as I had the half price MOT voucher last Saturday. My agreement with the Staff last Saturday was that I would pay £13.50 and not £27 which I ended up paying today.

This will be the first and last time, I'll be using Nationwide Autocentre.

sawadi

Gave my car in for a service - the brake discs and pads needed changing and the front tyres. Paid a ridiculous amount in total to get the work done. On picking up the car, it now made a noise when turning right and the car shook on the motorway - felt completely unsafe driving the car. Called them up and was told to bring the car back - apparently the wheel balancing had not been done. The car has not been sorted out - in fact it appears that they have damaged the car, and I am now having to take the car to another garage to fix up nationwides damage to my car. They fobbed me off, are rude and incompetent. Would never take my car there again. They should be shut down by trading standards.

ukjoel

I have had bad experiences too - Took my car in for work that should have been warrantied and handed it in to receptionist A and shot next door. Came back 30 seconds later and second receptionist walks in picks up phone and calls warranty company. Discusses my car and says they have done the diagnostics and found nothing wrong on the computer - claim was rejected and then he went out back and first receptionist pops back in spots me and explains I will need to pay for the £400 repair and also £70 for their diagnostic time.

My car was parked outside the whole time not touched, tested, or moved. She tried to dispute this with me and even showed me the diagnostic report. Eventually I took her outside and showed her the car - my wife in the driving seat reading her book still holding the car keys. Needless to say I havent been back.

They charge the same price as franchised dealers but dont have the same skillset, training, or diagnostic gear. They are generalists and at least if you take it to an independent generalist he will be half the price and care twice as much as its his name over the door.

Pound

I've heard lots of stories about garages ripping people off, I've been ripped off too. It's not just Nationwide Autocentres this happens, I think you'd be hard pushed to find an honest garage.

The thing is most people don't know the first thing about cars but they rely on them. So when things go wrong they have no idea what does and doesn't need to be fixed and how much it costs so garages can essentially charge anything they think they can get away with and people will have no choice but to pay.

The last straw for me was when I took my car for some repairs. They kept calling me up adding to the list of things that should be fixed, eventually bringing it up to £350. After it was fixed they said the electric window had just jammed and wanted to know if I wanted it fixed for £350! I planned to sell the car for £1,000 so there was no way I was paying a £700 repair bill. I took it home, taught myself how to fix electric windows and eventually finished the job using a £18 bit of cable from eBay.

Like cooking and DIY I think basic car repairs is a skill that should be considered essential. Anyone who learned how to fix their own car would save a huge amount of money.

Pleaseadvise

This thread has just given me a horrible sinking feeling! I used up most of my Tescos vouchers earlier today, ordering tokens for a service at Nationwide Autocentre. Now I feel that my car would be better off if I just don't bother with the service!

At least I know now to get a second opinion about anything they say needs fixing.

4743hudsonj

Why do people beleive its ok to try and spend the absolute minimum on what is essentially a lumps of hurling metal with lots of other hurling death traps around it, your lives depend on the safety of these things but many feel contempt in spending little to nothing.

I also dont understand how people have not yet learned to not trust a chain of garages. I know a kwik fit where a friend had his brakes done one day they squeeled due to no copper grease being used, his missus took it back next day (to the same branch - different staff) and apparently the discs and pads were well overdue:cool:

They got an earful but i doubt they cared.

People should know better.

Take the poster who needed a tie rod end. Buy it yourself for £20~. Get a garage to fit it for £50~.

It really does pay to shop around