Ripped off by Halfords!!!

M_Shah

Recently I have had my car serviced and MOT from my local Halfords and
I feel like I have been mislead and ripped off by them.

I have booked my car for a free 15 point safety check and according to their website it includes: Are horns and lights working correctly?
Are brake drums, discs and pads corroded, scored or distorted?
To check if your suspension components has any signs of corrosion, leaks or wear?
Are the brake hydraulic system, hoses and pipes free of corrosion, chafing and leaks?
Do the wheel callipers/cylinders work properly? Are they leaking?
Does the brake servo work correctly?
Is the ABS warning light displaying?
Are handbrake linkages in good condition?
Do wheel bearings need replacing?
Are tyres in good condition? Is the pressure correct?
Have shock absorbers weakened?
Are there signs of wear, leaks or corrosion on the steering?
Do the gearbox and clutch work correctly?
Are propshaft/drive shaft gaiters and joints secured?
Is the exhaust system secure and leak-free? Is it making a noise?

When I picked up my car, I have been given paperwork saying that all for tyres needs replacement, I specifically asked if there is anything else needed to be replaced and the manager told me no other than that everything is fine, I have asked again that so if I book it for a MOT it will be fine and he said that yes it will be fine.

According to his advised, I have changed all four new tyres and got brand new fitted. I booked interim service and MOT within two weeks. I have dropped off my car 8:00am in the morning. Around 4:00pm, got a call from the manager saying that unfortunately, my car has failed it's MOT - reason being shock absorber was leaking. Now if you have done the 15 points safety check, you would have picked up that it was leaking but I wasn't notified at that time. He also said that couple of indicator bulbs need replacing, I wasn't convinced so I told him that I would like to pick up the car and take it somewhere else, upon that he said that as the car has failed it's MOT it is illegal to drive it.(As I wasn't convinced, I called next day, it was a different person who answered my call, I asked him if leaking shock absorber is a major fault or a dangerous fault and he replied that it is a major fault, I asked him if I can drive my car and again he replied you can drive it to home or to another repair centre but not anywhere else as my MOT was still valid for next two weeks) I thought I haven't got much choice here so I have given him my permission to carry out the work and asked for the quote, he quoted £221. This is on top of the price I had paid for MOT and service.
Once it the parts were replaced and MOT was done, I went to collect my car, I have been given an invoice of £121 by another gentleman, I didn't understand that why the manager has quoted me £221 and the actual invoice is for £121? so the gentleman has explained about price match, I haven't got a clue how did that happen? Another thing, the manager mentioned that couple of indicator bulbs needs replacing, there is nothing mentioned in my invoice saying that they have been replaced.
Anyways, I picked up my car, while I was driving back home, I have noticed unusual noise coming out while I was driving, first I thought it must be because they have change the shock absorber, it my take a bit of time to settle it but it just carried on. As I was concerned, I call halfords again raising my concern, I have been asked to drop off the car.

Again, I have dropped off my car, while I was dropping off, I have been asked what is the noise sounds like, it was hard to explain so I said that if someone can come with me and just have a quick look but I have been told that as they are extremely busy, it is not possible but they will look at it. Despite being extremely busy they managed to look at my car within three hours, I got a call saying that they can't do anything about this noise as some part is corroded. I didn't understand as I am not an expert. I went to pick up and explain that I have been driving this car from last two years and I never ever heard this noise. The manager was a bit bossy, he said that it is normal wear and tear. I have asked him is there anyway to replace it, he said it will cost me £300 alone just for the part. Okay I may be not an expert but I think anyone can understand that if it is normal wear and tear, it just doesn't happen straight after you pick up your car from service and MOT. Again, I asked him that what exactly it is that causing this noise and he went all technical so I have just request him if he can give me some kind of paperwork mentioning that what exactly is causing that noise. He said it will take him longer to print it so he will be emailing it to me on very next day. I waited for his email until 14:45 and as it is a Sunday, knowing that they will be closing, I emailed him requesting if he can email me the reason that is causing the noise. I have got email back saying that now my car needs a replacement a new catalytic converter and it will cost £209.92 including VAT and fitting.

I am really concerned that how come this hasn't been picked up during the 15 points safety check, during servicing or during MOT? I am even wondering that as that part need replacing now even my MOT is valid ? Why I have been given different quotes and if this part needed a replacement why are you failed to mention it in the MOT advisory note? Why did you they that couple of indicator bulbs need replacing and then there is no mention of it in the invoice?

Is it only me who is thinking that I have been ripped off ? Any advise?

Joe_Horner

Advice - go elsewhere.

They're not known as Halfrauds for nothing.

peter12345678910

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Advice - go elsewhere.

They're not known as Halfrauds for nothing.

I would listen to this advice but if you go to an independent go on a day the manager is not in. If you go one day and the engineers are nice as pie and just say blah blah blah....than when the manager walks in????

sheslookinhot

Detail complaint to head office

waamo

You really didn't need to type anything other than the first sentence. You took it to Halfrauds. Off course you were ripped off.

Arklight

The problem is they keep asking you for more money and you keep giving it to them.

Do not let them work on your car any more, take it to a decent indy garage and get them to discover what Halfords have ballsed up under your car. It’s probably something to do with the suspension.

Get them to sort it out and then send the bill to Halford's head office.

If you aren’t sure where to go then the Good Garage Scheme has always worked out for me.

https://www.goodgaragescheme.com/

But there are loads of excellent Indy garages that aren’t in the scheme. My local one has 2 reviews on Google and that’s it. Yet I wouldn’t take our vehicles anywhere else.

sevenhills

U_Gohil wrote: »

I have booked my car for a free 15 point safety check and according to their website it includes.

The Halfords 15-point check, is not a pre-MOT; its free, that should ring alarm bells.

worried_jim

No such thing as free, as the OP is now finding out to their expense.

macman

Why would you trust a company that can't even assemble bicycles correctly to service and MOT your car?
The 'free' check is simply a ploy to get the car on the ramp and find alleged faults. Unless your own maintenance routine is non-existent, I'd be amazed if all 4 tyres were simultaneously at or below the legal limit-did you not check them yourself?

Brummie85

I don't really rate any of the chain garages really. I'm sure that they may have some decent mechanics in them in some branches, but I've had enough bad experiences with them to know they are few and far between.

'Free' checks are just an excuse to look your car over and find chargeable works, which they will recoup the time spent checking in the first place.

Even the manufacturer centres are doing it now. I took my car in last week for a Sat Nav update and they had it in for almost 90 minutes. They didn't tell me they would do the checks and I was in a rush. They told me about the oil leak, didn't bother telling me about the tyres. Then gave me two prices for the same tyres and alignment.....Before saying they could fit new tyres in 2 weeks time. They also decided to clean it without asking and put a load of scratched in the paint...cheers !

The oil leak is covered by warranty, so they can do that. But when it comes to service and MOT time....They won't be getting a penny.

sebloak

The bulbs will be losing the yellow paint. As for rusted bits falling off after MOT, it happens. Doesn't matter which garage does the MoT if the tester sees lots of rust he will poke and bang the underneath quite a bit so somethings bound to come off soon after if its an old car with lots of rust. I had a Cat converter fall apart minutes after passing an MoT a few years ago. I did complain and ask why it was passed but apparenty is was OK while on the ramp..