how can i find a good independent garage

worried123

westmead - thanks. They charge £60 an hour plus vat on top of that......

It isnt so much the cost of the parts that concerns me - i think they are all much the same and i think i am charged the average/standard price of what that part is but in my heart i dont think they use the best parts (perhaps they use reconditioned parts) - its not that i want cheaper parts because i dont....simply that i want to find a small independent garage who is cheaper on labour and good as well.......

anyway - i will have to look around....

thanks again..

Westmead_Fan

westmead - i am in the south east too....bromley/orpington

ah in london, thats explains why the high hourly rate, you will pay a premium for just being in london.

Herzlos

vikingaero wrote: »

Word of mouth - ask around

Definitely this, especially if you know any private hire taxi drivers.

If you're worried about getting bad service for being a woman you can always try and have someone else drop the car off or paying the invoice, but I'd have thought garages would be too worried about reputation to do that now.

worried123

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Westmead_Fan

you live in london, that is why prices are inflated. don't get running costs like wear & tear items confused with faults with the car. every car has running costs to cope with.

worried123

Westmead, I understand what you mean about wear and tear and mine certainly has had its share of that but i still dont think the car was that great to start with......aside from needing new exhaust silencer box, new cv joints, new gaiters, new clutch twice - and also the sort of clutch clip snapped twice and cost a lot of money to be sorted out....(which i know is all wear and tear - along with the usual we expect like new break pads etc...and belt thingy) - the list is endless...etc etc.......its never been great....always steamed up in wet weather from the word go.....the air con went fairly early on and didnt just need regassing but a new condencer - new water pump?? i think early on - heater wasnt working.....the brakes have never been great....no matter what is done to them.....i have never been able to park on a slope without having a heart attack.......always leave it in reverse gear - (it has had a leak for years which is the timing belt which would cost the same as the car value to replace - so i just keep it topped up.....it constantly has oil leaks with the little oil pressure switch going - had it replaced 4 times now - which i have been told is usual for this car) its been an endless procession of disappointments and stress.

You do hear people they saythey have an old car and have never had any problems........i do think it wasnt a great car to start with.....i will shed no tears when its gone.....

arcon5

Who told you about the new problems?

I wouldn't have bothered the the condenser or compressor frankly. Especially on an old car, didn't think anybody bothered with this tbh

worried123

Hi - I didnt get it done - not worth it as it would have cost about 300....but, as i am out driving around all summer i do like air conditioning.......i had it regassed and it still didnt work afterwards - took it to 2 different places and they said it needed a new condenser.........i do love air con in the summer though - it stops me from practically dying.....and in the summer you can put food shopping behind the seats and put it on so your food is okay......i wouldnt get another car without it....

Sorry - the new problems?? the garage i always take my car to - i get my mot done there.....the ones who charge 60 plus vat an hour.....i had some sort of box and exhaust silencer done.....and anti roll bar link (had that done several times).....and as an advisory he said that i had two torn gaiters.....(i appreciate there are several gaiters etc but i am a female and car mechanics is not my thing)....so i innocently said, you only did that a few months ago......and another mechanic said......yes, its not long...let me look at it again in 6 months...................honestly - this car........