Do you trust the place that repairs your car?

dannyrst

Why would you go back to a garage if you don't trust what they have previously done?

There are plenty of them out there.

EdGasket

Do you trust the place that repairs your car?

Yes because I do my own repairs. TBH I don't even trust a tyre place to change a wheel (damage to suspension and sills due to jacking up incorrectly; cross-threaded wheel bolts slammed on with impact gun).
The timing belt is a serious failure as I presume the engine valves are wrecked? The manufacturer change interval is based on a 'fresh' genuine timing belt having been fitted. When the garage last changed yours, did they use a genuine belt or an aftermarket belt? A cheap aftermarket belt might only last 3 years but a Gates belt should last 5 years or more. The other issue is was the belt a fresh one or an old one that had been in stock for ages? When I last did my hyundai timing belt I rejected 3 replacement Gates belts that I was sold because they were out of date (shelf life of 7 years Max) and one looked like it had already been used! The fourth one I got was in a properly sealed box with security seal and date-stamped 2013 and it looked right unlike the previous 3 that basically looked old and tired. I take this care because its my car but i can imagine a garage just fits whatever belt they get sent by the motor factor without worrying or checking too much.

If anyone is interested, the three duff belts I got were as follows:
1) Gates belt from eBay advertised in latest packaging with hologram seal from 100% feedback motor factor but when it arrived was in an old stained, unsealed white box.
2) Ordered Gates belt from Andrew Page (Nationwide Motor factors). Arrived in non-standard box and turned out to be 8 years old, outside Gates 'use-by' date which I checked with Gates themselves based on the serial numbers on the belt.
3) Gates belt from Amazon prime. Looked like it was a return as the box was re-sealed with sellotape and the belt was frayed at the edges. Turned out to be 13 years old! I suspect someone had slipped their used belt in there previously and claimed a refund !!!
4) Belt ordered from Mister Auto; shipped from Belgium and was fine. Properly sealed with a hologram and date-stamped box.

bigjl

I have only ordered cambelt a from EuroCarParts or the manufacturer themselves and never had an issue

One reason why I only buy certain things online but prefer to buy face to face

If the part or box looks old, dirty and unsealed then I don't buy

On the last cambelt I had done I bought the cambelt and tensioner etc from Renault directly. Was only slightly more than at EuroCarParts. I got the aux belt from Euro though.

lisa110rry

Yes I trust the garage that does my MOTs, servicing and repairs to my 4wd (winter 13yo 145k miles) and roadster (summer 16yo 95k miles). However, before each and every visit with either car I say "you know how I feel about the timing chains on this car" and the owner of the garage says "don't worry, you'll hear it!"

EdGasket

bigjl wrote: »

One reason why I only buy certain things online but prefer to buy face to face

If the part or box looks old, dirty and unsealed then I don't buy

The belt from Andrew Page was bought 'face to face' (they had to order it in) but I was suspicious of the box which wasn't the latest style and when I checked the belt serial number with Gates they confirmed it to be out-of-date and not to be used. I got a refund from Andrew Page and told them they shouldn't be selling it but the chap wasn't interested and will probably sell it to some other unsuspecting person.

fred246

EdGasket wrote: »

TBH I don't even trust a tyre place to change a wheel (damage to suspension and sills due to jacking up incorrectly; cross-threaded wheel bolts slammed on with impact gun)

The last few tyres I have bought I have ordered from BlackCircles. I then have taken the wheels off myself and driven them to the garage in my other car, The garage then just put the new tyres on and balance them. I then drive home and put the wheels on using my own torque wrench. In this way I have avoided garages doing any more damage to my car.