Kwik fit or independent garage?

zeke80

I'm having trouble with my cars ABS light staying on,done a lot of searching and it looks like it could be a abs reluctor ring that needs replacing (it's my first car so not 100%).

I read that due to the way kwik fit buys parts they are more likely to replace the whole drive shaft than replace just the reluctor ring even if that's the fault and after being hit by massive bills a few times with them I'm wondering if going to a independent garage is worth a try?

also if you do go to an independent garage is it worth phoning ahead and explaining the issue?

loskie

!!!!!! you have the internet. Do you really have to ask.

Ebe_Scrooge

Kwik fit are fine for tyres, but for anything else stay well clear.


Your best bet is without a doubt a decent independant mechanic. Ask friends and neighbours, or post on your local community Facebook page if you have one, for recommendations. Failing that, ask a local taxi driver who he uses - most taxi drivers can't afford to be without their car, so tend to use mechanics who do a good job for a fair price.

zeke80

I know Kwikfit's reputation wasn't great but few times I went they seemed okay,then I got my MOT there and they said they needed to buy the parts from official manufacturer and the cost skyrocketed. I'm questioning it now since I can see ABS reluctor rings on ebay for under £10 and drive shafts for just over £100.

Will most likely find and independent this time,will most identify the problem for free or does that cost?.

Johnmcl7

For that sort of fault it's likely a garage would run some diagnostics software to get more detail on why the car is showing the ABS light, it's normal to charge for that. Otherwise the cost of diagnosing the fault is usually not separate, you get the garage to fix the fault which includes diagnosing it first.

I'd find a good local garage that others recommend, I wouldn't take my car anywhere near Kwik Fit as I've made that mistake before and won't again.

John

facade

Don't forget, your £10 reluctor ring has a higher labour cost to fit than the £100 driveshaft, as they have to remove the driveshaft to fit it, and then spend extra time cleaning it up and pressing it on.

TBH, I wouldn't fit a £100 eBay driveshaft, with the middlemen markup, eBay fees and shipping to the UK, it would have been more like £10.

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

debtdebt

So, OP wants a free diagnosis from an independent garage, wants the to pay less than a tenner for a part from Ebay without warranty and is probably from China and probably wants to pay £25 for fitting.

If I were the repairing garage, I'd run a mile.

zeke80

UK parts are selling it for like £12 (made in Germany). Its literally a metal ring,I would expect and hour or 2 work at £30 p/h plus VAT and any shipping costs versus what I think Kwik fit would charge which I fear would be 200/300 who knows.


Didn't say I expect free inspection just wondered how it works,last time I had work done it cost over £500 on the spot.

nickcc

Not sure where you get £30 plus vat per hr, try £75 to £120 as a bit nearer the mark.

zeke80

nickcc wrote: »

Not sure where you get £30 plus vat per hr, try £75 to £120 as a bit nearer the mark.

I was wrong on that. It was £48 p/h I was quoted for labour not £ £30.That was for a brake pipe change where the pipe was £12,that's where I was estimated from but that job took a few hours then VAT it still added up to over £170 in total I think.

[Deleted User]

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

Kwik fit are fine for tyres .....

Until they suggest inflating them with a Nitrogen / Air mixture