Kwik Fit MOT/BG44K Scam

Stooby2

I fitted new shock absorbers all round to our Discovery last year. About two months later, whilst on holiday in Cornwall, on a friends farm, I tore the rear back box of the exhaust off whilst we were having some off-road fun. Whilst I was able to bodge it there and then with straps and bits, it needed a new one and unfortunately, Kwik-Fit was the only option.

First off was the "you need a full new system mate." No I don't I just need the rear section, the front section is fine. So that was done.

Then once it was up on the ramps and the guy had pulled off the old back box, he comes back in and says "you need new shock absorbers on that mate, especially the rears." So I ask to have a look - after all I could have been sold duff ones. So I have a look at perfectly good, two month old shock absorbers, albeit pretty muddy. I asked what the problem was and he made some b*****ks up about no oil in them, could see the car bouncing when I came in.

I asked to speak to him in the office, pointed out to him various options, one of which involved calling the local police down to investigate the offence of attempted deception. He agreed the shock absorbers were fine, I only needed a back box and that yes I could have the managers 25% discount and free fitting of it.

And I watched him do the whole thing as I didn't fancy brake lines being cut or anything else.

The one and only time I've ever used Kwik-Fit.

welshsue

A while back I took my Audi A6 in for Headlight adjustment on new units fitted(water ingress in old ones) & brake fluid change. The mechanic kept winding the adjustment screw until you heard a crack as he went past the stop. Told me "I'd brought c**p headlights". I don't think so at nearly £200 each. I contacted head office and they paid for a new one & set it up for FREE.


Brake fluid change. "Sorry can't do fluid change as all bleed nipples seized, we need to replace all four Calliper's & you will be looking at about £500".


I didn't take them up on their offer & when the car went for it's MOT at my local Garage. I asked him to check the bleed nipples, & you guessed it he could loosen all of them. So I got him to do the fluid change + replace both front brake hoses(as they were picked up on at the MOT as slightly deteriorated) for £60!


I agree with Muscle750. I replaced all disc's & pads + fitting kits(mintex) for £160.

SailorSam

WelshSue the Op started this thread when he went for a Mot in November 2012, it's probably safe to presume it's passed by now.

forgotmyname

Yeah but KF replaced everything so its a new car now

Bollotom

I wouldn't touch Kwikfit with a barge pole. It's almost an anagram of !!!!wit so enough said. :cool:

[Deleted User]

I've never been back since they tried to rip me off with BG44K fuel additive by running a dodgy emissions test causing it to fail it.

mot1987

I speak as a Mot tester

All mot stations must give a copy of the petrol emmisions test. The machine will give out two slips one for the station and the other for the customer. Although diesel testingmachines donot always print two slips out so sometimes customers don't get diesel test report.
It is very easy to make any car fail a emmisions test, simply reving on and off will cause the co and lambdar to fluctuate causing a fail. Garages who frankly con there customers and bring the Mot scheme into disrepute then sell an addative costing
them around £4 for £20 which apply to the fuel tank and then take for a drive. Pass the car and bill you for the work, in this case the addative which is not needed.

mot1987

My advise is keep away from the national chains, however I would not put ATS centres into that block as I don't hear anything bad about them.

Keep away from low cost mot,s there cheap for a reason, a tester costs around £10a hour to run so the maths don't add up.

Try Mot only stations or council sites, they have no interest in repairs so will not fail a car looking for work.

If there are no sites like this where you live, then go for a local recommended garage.

ChumpusRex

mot1987 wrote: »

I speak as a Mot tester

All mot stations must give a copy of the petrol emmisions test. The machine will give out two slips one for the station and the other for the customer..

For the last 3 MOTs (petrol car), I haven't got an emissions slip and each time the garage (different each time) said that one was not required due to a change in the regulations.

[Deleted User]

ChumpusRex wrote: »

For the last 3 MOTs (petrol car), I haven't got an emissions slip and each time the garage (different each time) said that one was not required due to a change in the regulations.

Change in regulations or not, Kwikfit said to me that the MOT rules had changed and they they no longer issue emission print outs by law. Yet my sister went to another Kwikfit garage a couple of months later and they gave her a print out!