Scared of being ripped off by garage for repairs

StephyM

Brian8888 wrote: »

I have been ripped off by a garage before and am looking for places where I can see feedback for garages. Does anyone know of any good places to go and see comparison and experiences of other car owners? I am scared just thinking about driving to any other garage in my area who then will tell me all the things that need to be replaced. And I got no idea if that's the truth or another get money from me trick.

I recently had some trouble with my car and not knowing a lot about cars I firstly came on here and some kind people responded to my post and helped diagnose what was wrong with it. So I'd get some advice from off here first before you go to a garage, so that you can seem like you know what you talking about at the garage (it worked for me!)

I then searched online hoping for the same as you for somewhere online with people's experiences at their garages. There were a couple of websites but the one I found the garage that I took my car to was https://www.carsandgarages.co.uk, they didn't have all the garages in my area on but I saw one with a review and went for that one and everything went fine!

westwood68

http://www.goodgaragescheme.com/ is owned by Forte:-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2790144
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Garage_Scheme

Personally I wouldn't trust it.

Word of mouth is the only way to be sure really. Try asking on lots of forums (Corsa, Vauxhall, local forums etc) to see if you can get a consensus

westwood68

Oh & I'd never really trust a main dealer after my own experiences over the years....particularly Reg Vardy in Leeds

Strider590

westwood68 wrote: »

Word of mouth is the only way to be sure really. Try asking on lots of forums (Corsa, Vauxhall, local forums etc) to see if you can get a consensus

Personally, I don't trust that either.... Not unless that word comes from someone who knows their stuff.

The problem these days is it's easy to trick people into thinking your doing them a great service if you have the gift of the gab. I know people who still use "crapfit" because the technician "seemed nice" and "didn't seem like the sort of person who rips people off".
All they have to do is smile and laugh and people will trust them.

Brian8888

StephyM wrote: »

I recently had some trouble with my car and not knowing a lot about cars I firstly came on here and some kind people responded to my post and helped diagnose what was wrong with it.

I then searched online hoping for the same as you for somewhere online with people's experiences at their garages.

Thank you very much for that idea. I entered fixing my car online and I found this website Whocanfixmycar http://www.whocanfixmycar.com

Seems to have a lot of jobs and looks independent. I posted my job on there and will let you guys know what kind of response I get.

Brian8888

I got 2 quotes from independent garages in my area. So whocanfixmycar.com appears to work.

Joe_Horner

Brian8888 wrote: »

I got 2 quotes from independent garages in my area. So whocanfixmycar.com appears to work.

How do they compare with the £190 you'd already been quoted?

paddedjohn

Joe_Horner wrote: »

How do they compare with the £190 you'd already been quoted?

That was a different poster on a different thread for an older corsa

paddedjohn

OP, sounds like your timing chain is due for a change, expect to be quoted anything from £200-£450 depending on where you go

Brian8888

Not had any firm quotes yet and going to need a diagnostic to get an accurate price. This guy came back, mobile too and seems to have good feedback.

http://www.whocanfixmycar.com/Service/www.yourmobilegarage.co.uk

Not sure where you got the £190 from but I'm concerned I could be looking at a bit more than that!