Mr Clutch / Halfords Auto Centres

FutureGirl

Are places like Mr Clutch and Halfords Auto Centres worth going to for replacement timing belts etc? Or should I completely steer clear?

loskie

What do you think?
You obviously have doubts so go to a proper garage not necessarily a franchised one, a decent back street one will often be better.

angrycrow

Stay well away from them. Find a recommended local independent who trades on his good reputation.

bazster

Ask around, find a trustworthy local independent. The practices of the national chains are unspeakable: they get more training in how to find unnecessary work to ramp up your bill than they get in spannering!

alderpoint

Depends on the car. If it's something they'd see every day then the chains can be okay. But if it's anything unusual, take it to your local independent specialist.

I was looking through receipts a few hours ago, and on the wife's Seat, Halfords quoted £321.54 for a belt replacement, whereas the local independent (who got the job) wanted £388, but that included the water pump too.

I don't quite understand why many people routinely slags off the chains. At least with them if you have a problem you can escalate it up the management chain - whereas with a local independent garage you can't do this if they just refuse to deal with your complaint.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Always check with the main dealer too, Toyota were the cheapest by far for my Landcruiser's new belt.

Every town has that indy that wants to be in business for ever, by providing a service, ask around and find them and use them.

Agree about avoiding fast stitch up chains.