Kwik Fit Warning -- wanted £405 for £30 repair

chrisw

KwikStitch wrote: »

Thank you Chris. I managed to find out how to view the stats, and the verdict from the car itself is in....

Rear Pads ---- 14,000 miles left

Front Pads ---- 21,000 miles left

Which ties in nicely with what your independent said. So it would seem that kwik fit we're trying to pull a fast one.

worried_jim

chrisw wrote: »

So it would seem that kwik fit we're trying to pull a fast one.

I don't believe it!

red_eye

zabi89 wrote: »

I always take my car to small independent garages, they always seem to be much more honest with me and don't attempt to rip me off unlike the main dealerships or companies like Kwik-fit.

not all kwik fit type places with bonus sachems rip people off. Some do not employ just fitters they employ mechanics too (you have to be a qualified mechanic to become an MOT tester)

WellKnownSid

red_eye wrote: »

not all kwik fit type places with bonus sachems rip people off. Some do not employ just fitters they employ mechanics too (you have to be a qualified mechanic to become an MOT tester)

The problem with these places is that, in general, they are just tyre fitters with the odd person with additional training to work on, say, brakes. The MoT tester will probably be too tied up with MoTs to have time to do other work.

In short, they are the McDonalds of the motor trade. Fine if you want a quick burger... you can have one with or without fries... but if you need something else then tough.

KwikStitch

The Kwik Fit ops manager did get back to me with an explanation on Friday, and so I'll summarise his main points here:

--Kwik Fit measure the pads and discs according to manufacturers specifications and it is on that basis that Kwik Fit choose which need replacing.
--The hand brake imbalance could have been caused by something other than the hand brake just needing an adjustment.
-- He also invited me in to have the car re-inspected and said that if needed they would replace the pads and discs at no charge and refunded the initial MOT cost.

I was grateful for the explanation and MOT refund, although I declined the re-inspection. My knowledge of car mechanics is very limited and so I'll leave it to you to make up your own mind about Kwik Fit and the response.

Ezmondino

I can beat that. Halfords Autocentre wanted £1200+ to fix the powersteering on my car. I laughed. I knew the belt needed just tightening. Cost me £0 to do.