Kwik Fit - quote for work too high?

pete-20-11

Kwik fit quoted me £450 for an exhaust and cat replacement

Halfords auto centre quoted £250 for the same work

Get a second opinion/quote!

KatieDee

PETIE wrote: »

I would get under the car and actually check the brake pipes are 'actually' corroded,
they like to mention brake pipes as it scares people into paying up.

I have had MOT say same to me in past over a little speck of rust on pipe, was nothing wrong with them whatsoever

Can I disagree with Kwikfit if I find they're not as badly corroded as they have made out? Is there an appeals procedure for MOT's?

The guy who tested it walked up and told me he was surprised that they had lasted as long as they have and they were almost non-existent. I thought that would be quite a bold statement to make if they weren't considerably worn - but then again I suppose that's how they make there money!

There aren't really any reputable garages near me at the moment - at least none that I'm aware of (and Google doesn't throw anything back either). I figured that by going to Kwik Fit, at least I'd have a company to complain to if it went wrong.

PETIE

KatieDee wrote: »

Can I disagree with Kwikfit if I find they're not as badly corroded as they have made out? Is there an appeals procedure for MOT's?

The guy who tested it walked up and told me he was surprised that they had lasted as long as they have and they were almost non-existent. I thought that would be quite a bold statement to make if they weren't considerably worn - but then again I suppose that's how they make there money!

There aren't really any reputable garages near me at the moment - at least none that I'm aware of (and Google doesn't throw anything back either). I figured that by going to Kwik Fit, at least I'd have a company to complain to if it went wrong.

You can complain but as you would fail on the other things there wouldn't be a point.

Without seeing how the pipes are I could only guess, it's just something to think about

Dakent89

You say fromt suspension arm rubber mounting in the failures.
You then mention anti roll bar bushes in the quoted work.

This in itself doesn't tie up, aren't both of these different things?

Go elsewhere and count the £30 a loss..

A bmw needing copper brake lines at 36k?
My 3 series had its original rear ones changed at 12 years old and 218k on the clock...

Check this out

loskie

The quote sounds reasonable but I wouldn't trust KwikFit witha rollerskate.

jobdone1

Ah the good old scare tactics i love it. I have never had corroded brake lines most of my cars have been between 8 to 12 years old from ford, Peugeot, fiat, Renault etc with the exception of the fiat the millage's have been well in excess of 150000 miles. Get a second opinion on the brake lines most will look for free for you but i would be very very skeptical. As for bushes rubber perishes over time so may have sum movement general wear and tear.

KatieDee

Dakent89 wrote: »

You say fromt suspension arm rubber mounting in the failures.
You then mention anti roll bar bushes in the quoted work.

This in itself doesn't tie up, aren't both of these different things?

Go elsewhere and count the £30 a loss..

A bmw needing copper brake lines at 36k?
My 3 series had its original rear ones changed at 12 years old and 218k on the clock...

Check this out

Thank you for your input.

The quote includes the following -

• CHECK AND FRONT ADJUST - £35.00
• ANTI-ROLL BAR BUSH £51.77
• MOT TESTING £30
• BRAKE PIPE (PER FEET) £250
• BRAKE FLUID RENEW £33.96
• ANTI-ROLL BAR BUSH £77.60
  
  TOTAL £478.33 INCLUDING DISCOUNT OF £43.77
  

They then knocked it down to £450. The prices are different due to the discount applied I believe (bar bush is mentioned twice with different prices).

I've done a lot of googling and some websites mention getting the brake pipes done for about £200.

My car is in very good nick for its age, has always been serviced. I'm struggling to understand how the pipes can be so badly corroded after so few miles (although perhaps I'm unlucky).

jobdone1 wrote: »

Ah the good old scare tactics i love it. I have never had corroded brake lines most of my cars have been between 8 to 12 years old from ford, Peugeot, fiat, Renault etc with the exception of the fiat the millage's have been well in excess of 150000 miles. Get a second opinion on the brake lines most will look for free for you but i would be very very skeptical. As for bushes rubber perishes over time so may have sum movement general wear and tear.

I have owned many cars, many of which have been older than my Mini (and perhaps not considered as "premium") and I've never had this issue either. The bushes I completely accept as I don't think they've been done before judging by my paperwork and given the age of the car. I'm just a bit worried that they saw me coming a mile off with the brake pipes. What made me think this more is that he did the standard "Oooh, not good..." when reviewing the MOT paper and then proceeded to tell me they would normally charge £40 a foot for the pipe and my car required about 12 feet, which would mean over £500 plus labour. Then he knocked it down to £250!!

Steve059

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews79201.html

I used my local KF when I was young and had no choice because I was poor. Never again.

They are located on a dual carriageway. Now, if possible, I always drive past them in the right-hand lane, just in case they [CENSORED] up my car as I drive past.

xHannahx

I would take it somewhere else for a retest first.

Kwikfit have an unfortunate reputation for failing only on things they sell.
Tyres
Brakes
Suspension
Exhausts.
I've never seen or heard a car failing for anything else at kwikfit

Mr xhannahx

gardner1

just write off the £30 and go to different garage or better still......find a council mot centre