Nationwide AutoCentre- Avoid

uktyler

I took my car for an MOT at a branch of Nationwide. It had been off the road for a few months, so I did not expect it to pass.

When I collected it I was told it at failed on the emissions, and the back box on the exhaust was to blame. They wanted over £130 to replace it.

I took the car to my local exhaust place, they put a back box on for £45, took it back, and again they failed it on emissions.

This time they told me it needed two oxygen sensors, and a catalytic converter, total cost £900.

Knowing the car only had one oxygen sensor I asked for a printed quote, however they could not give me one 'as the printer was down'.

I purchased an oxygen sensor for £17 from ebay, my local garage fitted it for a tenner.

I took the car back to Nationwide, I had so many Tesco points I did not have to pay any money.

This was a full price second MOT, as I had used the retest previously.

The car passed on emissions, but failed on holes in the bodywork, and a rear suspension bush. These items were not fails, or even advisories on the first MOT, which was done less than two weeks before.

I raised a formal complaint, and the head office agreed to do all the necessary work for free, but I think this was more to do with the fact I threatened to report them, and take the car to VOSA, than their desire to pleae customers.

I would not use them again.

backfoot

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

why dont yoyu tell me all the facts then?

Because I have laid out enough for readers to get a flavour and I don't want to go into every detail or all the words.

Thank you for being such an excellent devil's advocate though.We can't have customer's describing their experiences and comments without a full enquiry.

:T:rolleyes:

backfoot

Monkeeboy wrote: »

Sorry to hear you had bad service. I have just MOT'd both of our cars at Nationwide in Gateshead and had excellent service - I would certainly recommend them. My oldest car is a 9 year old Toyota - it failed as the number plate had split from the backing - I should have spotted how bad it was! This is the only time it has failed. I have had it MOT'd at Nationwide every year with only one exception. The cost of the MOT and plate £39 - still less than the maximum MOT cost.

I got my MOT for half price using the autotrader offer and with this you can book online - it was simple and no hassle.

It just goes to show though that the quality of service at big chains is varied.

I started to use Nationwide with every expectation of good service. I am pleased you have been lucky.

The feeling I have now is that the discounted MOT is simply a ruse to obtain further servicing work, some of which is definately not required.By way of example,they phoned with the MOT result and said along with the other stuff I reported above ,that both the rear tyres were worn close to the legal limit and they quoted £144.89 to replace.

When I got there I asked him to measure the tread again and both tyres showed 3mm.He advised the limit was 1.6mm. I am no expert but it seems like a total try on to me.:eek:

rainbowangel

I would never use them again. I took my car to them a few years back and they charged me over £250 to fix an oil leak which then then said they couldn't find the problem!!! I took to another local garage who fixed it within minutes and said not to worry about paying as it wasn't any bother. I would NEVER go back to the first and have remained at the second who never fails to impress with honesty. I would always recommend to use a local garage.

purcel

I've learned my lesson with Nationwide Autocentre 2 years ago when I booked my old car for a service.I had Tesco vouchers so instead of £190 it cost me £130.
So, took the car there, a Fiat Bravo S reg,left it there, got a call 2 hours later to tell me that the car needed
£800 worth of repairs.Obviously I didn't authorised that to be done before I had a word with them( I am a woman don't know much about cars), so went there and they showed me a 3 page list with all the work needed.Being quite a lot of money and didn't really afford to pay that , bearing in mind the car cost me £800 when bought, paid the £130 and took the car home.
I had a word with a friend of mine and showed him the list , he reccomended a local garage, I've took the car there and SURPRISE! Half of the repairs on the list didn't need to be done ,( NA said to me that wasn't any antifreeze left and needed to be changed but they tried to charge me £30 for recycling the used antifreeze!).
In the end I only paid £250 at my other garage for repairs.
Really felt that I've waisted £130 with Nationwide Autocentre...I only go to my local garage, they are cheaper and do a good job!

chris-j

I have used my local branch for past 3 years and had great service. I think it is down to the local staff possibly.
I have to say that when putting car in for MOT simple checks like bulbs should be done beforehand and I disagree that slight windscreen damage is marginal. If windscreen is damaged in specified area it fails - no ifs or buts.
Sorry to raise this but sounds to me like the attitude and disdain were possibly coming from both directions.