Help me with my service!

Stephensg103

I recently had my car serviced with a company called Service Stop. They did the service which cost me £245. However, they competed a form which they left in my car and ticked everything on it to say they did the work. When I checked, they didn't stamp my service record book, despite ticking they had and when I checked my tyre pressures they are all different to those they've recorded on the sheet. I am also not convinced that the tread measurments are correct.

I am now worried that they've lied about completing other parts of the service. When I contacted the company, I asked for evidence that they completed everything or can I have a refund, and I just received a sarcastic email back saying can you provide us with evidence we haven't done the service correctly. I haven't replied yet but has anyone got any advice?

AndyMc.....

How and when did you check your tyre pressures?

The only evidence so far is they haven't stamped your book, but you have evidence the service was done.

Strider590

These places are all about the numbers, technicians will have too much work on their schedules to actually do the work in some cases.

You need to prove the work wasn't done, well that's easy, check the air filter is clean, check the oil filter looks new, check the oil sump plug looks like it's been moved recently.

Noree

As for the place you went to, see if you can find out if they are connected to a code of conduct. You may then be able to contact them and tell them about the garage, plus the email response.

If you would like to visit a more reputable garage, check out the TrustMyGarage site to find well approved garages.

Any TrustMyGarage approved centre are Trading Standards approved. There's also a new £1000 guarantee which sounds really good.

forgotmyname

Trust any garage that have paid us some money to say they are trustworthy?

wgl2014

Is your car petrol or diesel?

If petrol you will be able to see if the oils been changed by wiping the dipstick on some kitchen roll, if it's golden colour it's been changed if it's thick and black it probably hasn't been.

In a diesel it's trickier to see as the oil tends to end up black pretty quickly.

For the future try to use a local independent garage that will want customer loyalty and repeat business.

k3lvc

wgl2014 wrote: »

For the future try to use a local independent garage that will want customer loyalty and repeat business.

It may still be the local independent who's carried out the service - and just received less after paying the Service Stop fees

wgl2014

k3lvc wrote: »

It may still be the local independent who's carried out the service - and just received less after paying the Service Stop fees

It may be, it may not. I would wonder why a good established garage would want or need to sign up to one of these schemes. I've used the same garage for the past 18yrs and without fail they are fully booked for at least a week ahead and are never short of business. They are no frills and not the cheapest but are 100% trustworthy and do a thorough and careful job.

EdGasketTheSecond

Does the oil filter look new, if it is the thowaway cannister type that is? Is the oil clean or dirty on the dipstick? Next time use a trusted local garage.

fred246

The only way to know to know what has been done is to do it yourself. When I bought my VW Galaxy with a Ford badge I decided to have it garage serviced. When I went on the forums I discovered it needed special VW505.01 oil. Most garages were not using the correct oil especially the Ford ones. When owners complained they ran into this 'Prove what oil is in it'. The garages would suddenly say Oh yes we've put the right stuff in - go away. The customer would know it was the wrong oil but couldn't prove it.
It's the same with the brake fluid scam. £50 to change your brake fluid. How do you know what they have done? Your cars fine without a brake fluid change. They might do nothing. They might just change the reservoir fluid or they might just do the job properly.

Jackmydad

fred246 wrote: »

The only way to know to know what has been done is to do it yourself. When I bought my VW Galaxy with a Ford badge I decided to have it garage serviced. When I went on the forums I discovered it needed special VW505.01 oil. Most garages were not using the correct oil especially the Ford ones. When owners complained they ran into this 'Prove what oil is in it'. The garages would suddenly say Oh yes we've put the right stuff in - go away. The customer would know it was the wrong oil but couldn't prove it.
It's the same with the brake fluid scam. £50 to change your brake fluid. How do you know what they have done? Your cars fine without a brake fluid change. They might do nothing. They might just change the reservoir fluid or they might just do the job properly.

Many years ago I bought a new motorbike. I took it in for it's first service (at 500 miles those days) and it duly came back with the service book stamped and the oil changed.
I then read that it was essential with this engine to make sure that the oil filter was changed at the first service, as recommended by Yamaha. So just going on a hunch I was going past the dealership, went into the spares department and asked if they had a filter for the bike.
"No mate" and then he called in the back to his mate "We haven't had any filters for that bike yet have we?"
"No not yet"
So I asked him how they had changed mine? No answer, er, I don't know etc. etc. See the service manager. "It doesn't need it"
Anyway no point arguing with idiots, so I went off to get a filter and oil and changed it myself.
Actually getting a filter on that new model was a bit difficult. A long time pre internet.
Another one was a mate who had just had the brakes on his Dormobile serviced. Shoes replaced etc. etc.
Few days later, leak from the wheel cylinder on one side. Brakes hadn't been touched, let alone shoes replaced. That was supposed to be a bloke he knew personally who had a garage as well.
Lots more things over the years. So I don't really trust garages. I serviced my own vehicles for many years. I will say that the one I use now, a main dealer, seems pretty good so far. They appear to do what they say they will do.