FREE Brake/Exhaust/Battery Checks - Kwik-Fit

pan111

I had a problem with my brake calliper up until recently, and remembered that when I first started driving my dad always said to book your car into Kwik-Fit every year (6 months after MOT) for a free brake checkup...its peace of mind as far as Im concerned

Well I used the service this week to diagnose my brake problem. I didnt even have to buy a thing from there! You arent under any obligation to buy from there.

Very handy if your not car-literate or dont like getting your hands dirty! I know some garages like to try and baffle people like us.

Anyway...just thought Id post it here for you all to know about

movilogo

Well, I heard they will always tell you that something needs changing even if it is not faulty really!

pan111

Ive heard this also...but...I always buy my spares from the local motor factors and pay a mate to fit them...I dont think Id ever pay Kwik-Fit prices.

Your local Motor factors (GSF, etc) are alot cheaper to buy the replacements from than Kwik-Fit are going to be, and if you have a list of the exact parts (as per their check-list) you know what to ask for at the motor factors.

steveo3002

but what if they tell you a pack of lies to try for the hard sell and then you go else where and buy heaps of parts that arent needed

pan111

Probably take them back to where you bought them? You can return un-used items.

anewman

It's not too difficult to test a battery yourself. I recommend purchasing a haynes manual for your specific car model if possible, which details how to do it and the equipment required (at least it does for my car). Remember you have to go under the bonnet to check oil level (admittedly last time I did this the dipstick snapped, oops), washer level and coolant level every so often. It's all part of the driving test these days and it's all part of maintaining your car.

redmike123

We have had a number of bad experiences with Kwikfit over the years, not least the time they did an MOT on her car and convinced my wife that she needed 4 new tyres - the tyres on the car at the time were less than 6 weeks old.

If one shows any uncertaintly or lack of knowledge they will just steamroller over you and hard sell their services.

On one memorable occasion, after I refused to agree to their ridiculous claim that my 2 month old stainless steel exhaust system needed repacing ,one of their fitters refused to let me have the keys to my car because he claimed it was too dangerous to drive.

They prey on the ignorant.

saintjanet

Many of these type of companies do find problems you never knew you had,also one firm i bought a battery from flatly (no pun intended)refused to replace it under warranty,even though the RAC,the local motor factors,who did not have one in stock and finally halfords ,who i bought one from ,all said it was knackered,oh and i even tested it with my own tester.

This was ATS , incase anyone is interested.They insisted it was o.k even though it would not hold a charge.