£280 bill after MOT

poohwinnie5

I recently had my car serviced at Kwik Fit. The day after I noticed that my electric window switch was so loose it had literally fallen off. I tried to use it and it partially worked but it was obviously broken.

I took the car back to Kwik Fit and one of the mechanics had a look at it but could not fix it. During the repair it actually came off in his hand.

I then drove down to the dealership where I was told they would have to remove the door panel simply to investigate. After the inspection I was informed I would need a new switch at a cost of £280.

I told Kwikfit and they told me the "operating manager" would be in contact but they did not think they could issue a refund as the mechanic said the switch was wobbly when he tested it.

I recently used the switch and it was fine. It's really my word against theirs. Is there any advice anybody could give me? Thanks

Steve059

My advice is to never use KwikFit, but I suspect that you may have realised that already.

What car are we talking about?

jase1

Will be your word against theirs -- although I'd question £280 for a switch. It should be possible to pick up a used one for a tiny fraction of that price, and you should be able to fit it yourself.

poohwinnie5

Scrootum wrote: »

Cannot see why you would have any comeback against KwikFit. The window switch is nothing to do with them and was already broken.

Is the window switch not tested during the MOT? Would it not be noted as a minor fault if it's about to fall off? How do you know it was already broken?

poohwinnie5

jase1 wrote: »

Will be your word against theirs -- although I'd question £280 for a switch. It should be possible to pick up a used one for a tiny fraction of that price, and you should be able to fit it yourself.

Apparently, you need to take the door panel off to fix it. I think I may end up creating more damage than I'd fix if I tried to mend it.

Foxy-Stoat_3

What car is it?

Look on the e-bay for secondhand spares for a few pounds....its not that difficult to remove a door card, internet will show you "how to" guides if your stuck.

Retrogamer

poohwinnie5 wrote: »

I recently had my car serviced at Kwik Fit. The day after I noticed that my electric window switch was so loose it had literally fallen off. I tried to use it and it partially worked but it was obviously broken.

I took the car back to Kwik Fit and one of the mechanics had a look at it but could not fix it. During the repair it actually came off in his hand.

I don't understand here. If it had fallen off already, how could it have came off in the mechanics hand?

poohwinnie5 wrote: »

I then drove down to the dealership where I was told they would have to remove the door panel simply to investigate. After the inspection I was informed I would need a new switch at a cost of £280.

Depending on the car, it might be possible to solve it for much less money by buying the switch via ebay. and getting a generic garage to fit it.

poohwinnie5 wrote: »

I told Kwikfit and they told me the "operating manager" would be in contact but they did not think they could issue a refund as the mechanic said the switch was wobbly when he tested it.

I'd ask him why he tested the window switch since as IIRC the ability for the windows to go up and down isn't part fo the MOT, although a lot of inspectors will have the window down to tell the person in the car assisting with the MOT to pump the brakes, rock the steering ect.

poohwinnie5 wrote: »

Is the window switch not tested during the MOT? Would it not be noted as a minor fault if it's about to fall off? How do you know it was already broken?

As above, i'm pretty sure it's not part of the MOT, although it's been a while since i worked on an MOT ramp.

Geodark

poohwinnie5 wrote: »

Is the window switch not tested during the MOT? Would it not be noted as a minor fault if it's about to fall off? How do you know it was already broken?

Nope, as far as I know providing you can move the wing mirror from within the car the window is not part of the test. I had a MG with a stuck window on the passenger side and it passed for 3 years - was still like it when I sold it!

poohwinnie5

Retrogamer wrote: »

I don't understand here. If it had fallen off already, how could it have came off in the mechanics hand?

It was hanging on by a thread but had not actually come off. I wonder now why he had actually touched it at all.

The funny thing is I thought I was getting a really good deal going to kwik fit. I had bought my tyres online and got them to fit them for £12 each, £3 less than anywhere else.

So, I saved £12 and will have to spend £214, doh!!

AdrianC

I'd lay odds that you don't HAVE to buy a brand spankin' switch from the dealer. eBay or one of the various breaker-network websites are bound to find somebody breaking a car similar to yours. Should be able to get a window switch cheap enough.

poohwinnie5

AdrianC wrote: »

I'd lay odds that you don't HAVE to buy a brand spankin' switch from the dealer. eBay or one of the various breaker-network websites are bound to find somebody breaking a car similar to yours. Should be able to get a window switch cheap enough.

I will just wait and see. It will be annoying the switch not working in the mean time.