Honda Accord exhaust and Kwik Fit

saker75

Hi all

I'm having to go to Kwik Fit because my exhaust needs attention. It's my last choice in that my usual garage cannot accommodate me until end of next week. I haven't been to Kwik Fit for twenty years.

So please help me avoid being ripped off by Kwik Fit. The exhaust is blowing and hanging down at an angle. My last experience of Kwik Fit saw me bullied as they refused to release my car for safety reasons. I was young but have avoided them ever since.

Any suggestions?

Fat_Walt

As you're forced to use then make sure it's for the exhaust only. You don't need new tyres, brakes or shocks.

Be firm if they try it on. !!!! off will work.

benten69

saker75 wrote: »

My last experience of Kwik Fit saw me bullied as they refused to release my car for safety reasons. I was young but have avoided them ever since.

I would have phoned the police in that instance for effectively stealing your car. No garage can withhold your car for "safety reasons" they are not VOSA nor the police and have no such powers to withhold anyone's property.

Just reading that gets me angry! You couldn't pay me to use Kwik Fit. Personally I would just put up with the exhaust for a week and take it to your usual trusted garage....unless you have a long journey planned, I wouldn't even think twice at leaving the exhaust a week to get sorted.

Johnmcl7

I was in a similar situation and needed the car sorted promptly so I used the Kwik-fit that was behind where I lived thinking they couldn't be that bad. I was very wrong and that was a mistake I won't make again as I got pretty much the typical Kwik-fit behaviour, high pressure selling to replace parts that most definitely not need replaced and they didn't do the work they were supposed to correctly.

John

Nodding_Donkey

Is QF really your only choice?

wazza99

I'm going to defend Kwik Fit (well my local one in Pontefract)

I've used them a few times for the odd tyre and aircon re-gas when they have offers on, never been up sold or pressured into anything else and always find them pleasant and friendly. I do have a local a garage for bigger things but sometimes its just quicker and cheaper to go to KF.

Just be aware of what you want and need, decline any up sells, get the job done you went for only.

To me they offer a drive in/drive out service at a premium and my local one is good at doing that, occasionally thats what you need.

JP08

To be honest I've had plenty of dealings with Kwik Fit and their rivals over the years and never had an upselling problem. Go in for an exhaust. Get an exhaust. Go in for tyres. Get tyres.

Unlike many of their local competitors, they are open on Sundays, but it does involve a trip to the next town.

If I've time on the Saturday then the local ATS place will probably get the business just on the basis of being only 1/2 mile away - again, never been upsold - been downsold where they had an offer on a slightly more premium brand four tyres for the price of three and I'd gone in to have four done anyway.

I do prefer to use a local independent if I'm off on a weekday. He's slightly dearer, but the service is extremely good and the place is utterly spotless (I have a pet theory that if they take pride and care in their premises and tools then that may well carry over to their work and your car !)

saker75

Update!

So my experience was positive. The chap was informative. He walked me through the exhaust system but basically said the whole thing needed to be replaced. Several holes, rust and eroded joints. That said, they can't repair it. They suggested going to a Honda garage.