Is Kwik Fit Trying to Fleece me?

amco35

My 2010 VW Polo has done 46,867 miles. I drive it at 5 days a week to work and back mostly.

The ABS and ESP lights have been on for just over a month. I took the car to Kwik Fit and asked them to do a diagnostics test. They said they charge £35 for this.

It took them about 5 minutes to come and tell me a fault had been picked up and that it could be the wheel bearing or speed sensor. The guy asked me if I could leave it with them and they would look closer (at no extra cost).

About an hour later, he called to tell me that the front right wheel bearing AND Speed sensor would need to be replaced at a cost of £230.

I told him I would have to think about that before committing to anything.

I then went to collect my car. This man was sitting at his desk, another silent man was sitting at another desk watching me. I felt a little intimidated. My car was still in the garage so the guy went and drove it out and came back in and said in a rude manner 'just take it away...just take it away.'

So they didn't want there £35 fee which means I have no receipt or proof that a diagnostics test was performed and that the work they claim needs to done actually does need to be done!

The big question is: do you think they were trying to fleece me? (I am a woman). Where do I go from here?

RichardD1970

Without reading any of your post apart from the title.

Yes, very probably.

Edit.

Having now read the post, just take it elsewhere, a trusted local mechanic if you can find one (ask friend, family, local Facebook group etc) and get a second opinion.

Robots

If they didn't want payment for the work they did (the diagnostics test), then I'm not sure why you think they are trying to fleece you.

Every car I've had has needed bearings (I keep them a looong time), and that particular 'part' is always hard to get to - the large cost is usually made up of labour time, not the part cost itself.

I used to work in my Dad's repairs garage so I know that bearings are sometimes tricky and take longer than you think to replace (although I cannot comment on your particular car model).

gardner1

You haven't been charged .....result now go to a proper garage

Aylesbury_Duck

Is the Pope catholic?

amco35

I thought it was strange that they didn't want payment for the diagnostics test. No payment means no receipt and no proof of the faults they say need to be fixed.

gardner1

amco35 wrote: »

I thought it was strange that they didn't want payment for the diagnostics test. No payment means no receipt and no proof of the faults they say need to be fixed.

Go to a proper garage the car has a fault,doesn't have to be a main dealer ask around for recommendations on a good independent garage

Autumnella

Why so you need proof of the fault? Take it to a different garage who will do their own diagnostic test and confirm if Kwikfit were right or not.

amco35

I've decided to take the car to a good, independent garage for another diagnostics test (this garage provides a report) and see what they come up with.

DUTR

Autumnella wrote: »

Why so you need proof of the fault? Take it to a different garage who will do their own diagnostic test and confirm if Kwikfit were right or not.

It doesn't matter if KF were right or not, the money not spent can be used to fund the repair elsewhere, I guess not all KF are bad and perhaps didn't want the OP's custom on this occasion.

cb1979

Take it to professional to get a proper diagnosis, i would be surprised if its the wheel bearing, most likely the ABS sensor or the ABS sensor pickup ring