Halfords free brake check

xxchunky92xx

Hi guys just posting this issue for you all for some advice maybe,

I took my car to Halfords to have a free brake check yesterday (a 12 mile journey)
because I had a great deal on parts and thought If I’m coming close to needing new pads or discs I’ll buy them now while on sale.

well I waited 3.5 hours finally called them to be told my brakes were completely seized and they had used a hammer to smash them off.
leaving me with a £400 bill just to drive my car away.

I just want to reiterate I had zero grinding squealing or shuddering from the brakes and they felt absolutely fine they weren’t sluggish or pulling to either side and lastly my car was stopping as it should.

just want any advice obviously I am going to pay under protest as I need my car back but any help would be appreciated.

final note I blame myself I knew there was a reason I never trusted a Halfords garage.

dipsomaniac

they may be talking about the bolts that secure the caliper to the carrrier being seized so you wouldn't notice a difference in brake performance. did they quote you a price for supply and fit?  if so, they should have called you for authorisation before carrying out any work that was going to cost more.

Stubod

...as above, it does not sound like the brakes were actually seized as you would have noticed it!

Assume they were replacing the pads / discs but found they were not able to get them off easily due to corrosion?

Although I would have expected a telephone call first and a check that you were happy to proceed?

Browntoa

And the lesson of the story is never let Halfords ( or Kwik fit ) anywhere near your car and NOT expect a huge shock Bill if you do

dipsomaniac

I would ask for a breakdown of the bill - parts, labour incl. which caliper(s) caused the problem.

bob_a_builder

Thats exactly what a so called FREE brake ( or any other sort of FREE check)  is there for - To drive the un-suspecting into the arms of the fleecers

KimJongUn88

Did you ask them to do ONLY the free brake check or did you tell them to change what was needed?

Mickey666

KimJongUn88 said:

Did you ask them to do ONLY the free brake check or did you tell them to change what was needed?

Key question.
The offer was a FREE brake check so there is nothing to pay UNLESS additional work was agreed.  If nothing else was explicitly agreed then Halfords decided to do the work for themselves without authorisation, in which case it would be reasonable to refuse payment.  The problem in such situations of course is that they have your car whereupon it all becomes messy.
In over 40 years of motoring and umpteen garage services - main agents and independents - I’ve never been presented with a bill for work I’ve not previously agreed to.  They always phone beforehand to explain what needs doing and how much it will cost.  Often, things like wiper blade changes etc I’ll say no and do it myself later, but it has always been discussed and has never been a surprise.  Very shoddy business model by Halfords.

Supersonos

Mickey666 said:

KimJongUn88 said:

Did you ask them to do ONLY the free brake check or did you tell them to change what was needed?I’ve never been presented with a bill for work I’ve not previously agreed to.  

This is the important bit.  If they charged you, you agreed to the work.

EdGasketTheSecond

There's no such thing as a free lunch, or brake check it seems.

m0bov

Did the OP give the go ahead for a repair? Or was it just a Free check? If they did not go ahead with any work, then I'd be on the phone to the Police for criminal damage.