Do I have a case for complaint or am I overreacting?

orenishi

Hi, I have just joined this forum after lurking for a while, and could do with some advice. I apologise for the length of the post in advance!

I regularly use the Formula 1 Autocentres for little things with my car. Never had a problem with them until recently.

I went to get my aircon re-gassed in early June, and the guy mentioned a service was overdue. I knew it was and had been holding back as I want to sell the car in August and wanted to ensure it was in the best condition before I sold it.

I usually get it serviced via my dealer, but last time it cost me £350 so I thought F1's £109 for a master service seemed very reasonable.

Got it booked in and serviced. Had a call from the guy saying it had the following problems: Fog lights dont work, front wipers need replacing, rear tyres need replacing, wheel balance required, brake fluid is black and needs replacing, antifreeze low, pollen filter replacement needed, and spark plugs needed. I agreed for all this to be actioned straightway and with a 'discount' it came to 541. It seemed high but I just agreed because I wanted it done straightaway.

Got the car back, he gave me the service sheet. Looked through it and in the action required, it also said front shock absorbers slightly leaking. However, this wasn't highlighed with a marker pen like the other action points, and I do not think the guy talked to me about it when he called me. I cannot be 100% sure, but if he had mentioned, I would have agreed to have the shock absorbers replaced too.

Anyway, I started driving the car, it felt a little unstable and was pulling, and the alignment seemed a bit out. I thought it was just me getting used to it so I carried on. I didn't feel able to drive it like I was previously, but I thought I'll give it a couple of days and then take it back.

I have quite a long commute to work, and on the following Wednesday, 3 days after the service, my car completely swerved on a dual carriageway. It was pure luck that no other cars were around or I would have gone into them.

I thought about stopping and calling the RAC, but as I wasn't that far from home, I decided to carry on but I didn't exceed about 40-50mph the whole way home. Took it into the garage first thing, the guy came out and checked the car straightaway. I explained what had happened and the symptoms of the car, Said the wheel alignment was out. They did this within 30 mins, and once I started driving again, the alignment did seem tighter and fine.

However, over the next couple of days, the car still felt rough, was pulling, I couldn't drive at speed, or overtake without feeling like it was pulling in different directions. I called F1 again and I said it was still not right and I wanted them to thoroughly check it as I felt unsafe. On the Saturday they kept it in for about 6 hours.

Once I got it back, it felt a bit better. Over the last 10 days, there have been about 2 days where I've thought, actually its starting to feel ok or about 75%. However, over the last 3 days it has completely deteriorated again- I can't overtake without it vibrating, pulling, feels rough, bumpy, steering is hard. Yesterday it culminated in another swerve.

I had to take it in again today. I actually wrote down what was happening and handed it to the guy. He said he would do a complete check and road test it himself. Then, as the technician loaded it up in the workshop, they came to me and said the shock absorbers at the front are leaking. This could be what is causing the problem. They said they will still do the thorough check, but it is likely that the absorbers are causing the problem as the wheels are fine. They have now priced it up at 320.

I use my car for work. The initial full service was done on a Friday which I had off anyway. I was late fr work by 2 hours on the Wednesday where I had to get the alignment re-done, and then had to hand in my car for about 6-7 hours on a Saturday. Today, I took it in first thing and it doesn't look like the work will be done until about 2 or 3, making it pointless to go into work.

The stress and the hassle this has caused me is really annoying me. I haven't been able to drive the car properly for the 3 weeks or so since they serviced it. I have also paid them in the region of £800.

Does anyone on here think I have a case for complaint, or do I just need to accept that there were faults with the car? I feel like the shock absorber problem should have been diagnosed on the Wednesday or the Saturday when they dealt with the re-alignment and thorough check. It was also written on the service statement that they were slightly leaking.

And advice would be much appreciated.

maninthestreet

Push down each corner of the car and let it go - does it go up and then down a bit and then stop, or does it seem to go and up down more than once?