MOT - Shouldn't have passed

Wig

roddydogs wrote: »

Bleed Nipples (no dirty jokes) on a 6 yr old car will probably be rusted in, unless fluid, has been changed regularly, if you try to undo them, theirs a good chance thell shear off.

I think exactly the opposite, they would be highly unlikely IMHO to have rusted in, and even more unlikely to shear off.

Oneday77

The bleed nipple with no cap is covered in dirt with no signs of brake fluid in the opening.
If it had been bled some fluid would have escaped. None of the bleed points have any tool marks on them that has disturbed the rust. We had the fluid changed 3 years ago as part of it's last main dealer service.

I thought i mention this earlier but when I spoke to quick fit the mechanic confirmed he vacuumed the reservoir and refilled it, after telling him that wouldn't work. When asked why he answered as he was under pressure then stopped talking when the manager came over.

Wig

Oneday77 wrote: »

The bleed nipple with no cap is covered in dirt with no signs of brake fluid in the opening.
If it had been bled some fluid would have escaped. None of the bleed points have any tool marks on them that has disturbed the rust. We had the fluid changed 3 years ago as part of it's last main dealer service.

The nipple covered in dirt is IMHO the only evidence you have, without seeing the other nipples in the flesh I would not expect to see any "tool marks that had disturbed the rust"

I thought i mention this earlier but when I spoke to quick fit the mechanic confirmed he vacuumed the reservoir and refilled it, after telling him that wouldn't work. When asked why he answered as he was under pressure then stopped talking when the manager came over.

Ok so you have an admission, probably the management putting unrealistic time limits on their mechanics to complete a job.

gardner1

why do people still use kwik !!!!!! we all know what to expect with them but people still use same excuses

oh its handy to drop off on way to work
big national chain so must be good
ive never had a problem with them must be specific locations
i like the tv ads
etc etc etc

they are a bunch of cowboys we all know someone who has been ripped off have all seen watchdog etc

at the end of the day if you take your car to them tough !!!!!! you were warned

Oneday77

The problem is not enough people complain to the official channels for them to get sorted out.
Of you shop in say telco you may expect poor customer service but a tin of beans is a tin of beans.
Kwik fit do have good sites and can save people cash sometimes. It isn't always easy to find a trust worthy garage so people go with where they recognise.

With my experience I rxpected to be told of a list of faults but the service and mot to be sound enough. Have I learned a lesson yes.
Will I make sure kwik fits family jewels get a sound eye watering kick, for sure.

If there are so many stories of them being so bad then let's make sure the right people investigate every complaint or at least add it to a list.

Oneday77

Well the verdict is in.

I complained to VOSA and Trading standards about my car. They have both since inspected my car.
My assumptions were correct they never MOT'd my car correctly and the brake fluid was not changed in a recognised and effective manner.

Kwik Fit have been issed warnings, the staff involved have apparently been suspended and teh who thing will be investigated. Trading standards have informed me that the brake fluid issue looks like it may have wider reaching industry infestation that just one trading name or garage. We thought that anyway.

Kwik Fit have come clean to me and apologised. My car has now been fully re-serviced, my steering rack gaiter replaced, a track-rod end replaced, a new battery fitted(was getting on and came up low in the service) and the brake fluid fully changed correctly. It was done at another Kwik Fit garage with one of their senior service techs sent up to check the work. All done FOC, I did pay to get a new tyre but got it cheaper than blackcircles non-fitted price so couldn't grumble.

All in I have gained, which to be honest despite the synics I never set out to. I just hated the fact that other cars may have worse problems than mine but on the road. Hopefully now this garage will buck up it's ideas and others will benefit.

As for views on the chain each to their own but unless people report issues nothing can happen. TS only investigate on several complaints rather than just the one.

Biglad_3

Well done and thanks for coming back on and updating the situation. I wish more people would take companies like Kwik Fit to task like you have. After all, you may have saved someone from a nasty situation with highlighting this garage and their lackadaisical approach to safety.