KIA Recall Rip Off

Lewie

Just a heads up really, and a reminder to folk to not believe all you hear.

My niece has a Kia. It had a recall for two items. She took it to her nearest Kia dealer. They did the work and told her that she needed two new front tyres and that her front and back brakes needed 'renewing'. She told them to leave the extra work. They said, but it's illegal, it needs doing, we can fit you in tomorrow. She told them she had the car MOT'd in October with no advisories. They said, but an MOT is only a visual??. She still said no. I went to look at her tyres and unless there is something stuck in both front tyres that is invisible they were trying to con her.

So those with friends and relatives that ever need to take their car for recalls to any garage, remind them to refuse any extra work and get it checked by their usual garage if they have any worries.

neilmcl

Did you actually measure the tyre depths and the brake discs to see if they needed doing?

Lewie

The tyres were that good they didn't need 'measuring'. As for the brakes, no, I forgot to take my calipers. What's your point exactly? It's advice with zero need for a reply unless you are nit picking. You appear to have ignored that the garage stated that an MOT was only 'visual'. I assume you know it isn't? At the end of the day, folk can pay out good money if they like, their choice.

EssexExile

It's dodgy goings on at the dealer, it would help if you told us which dealer so we can avoid.

Lomast

This should be in praise vent and warnings not motoring

fred246

It's hard to believe a garage could be dishonest.

AdrianC

I'm wondering what the "rip off" is.

The car went in for a recall. The dealer did that work, and did not charge.
While the car was there, they did a healthcheck. They did not charge for that.
They recommended some work arising from that healthcheck. The customer declined to get it done.

There may or may not have been a bit of hyperbole surrounding the recommendation.
We do not know how near the legal minimum the tyres are, or whether they are evenly worn.
We do not know what brake work was being recommended, or what remaining material the friction components had.
We do not know how long until the next service was due.

As far as the MOT goes, the standard for tyres is the bare legal minimum, and the standard for brake efficiency is laughably low. The friction material is only inspected visible as far as is possible without removing the wheels.

Lewie

Adrian, They did not charge for the health check? A health check wasn't asked for so they CAN'T charge for the health check. The dealer did the recall work (hopefully, no proof there) they did not charge for that? Again, they CAN'T charge for it.

You do know about the tyres unless you decided not to read the post properly. You do know what brake work was recommended unless you decided not to read the post properly. Time to next service is irrelevant.

If tyres or brakes were barely legal or under performing there would be advisories. Cars are tested on a rolling road, not just visually inspected. You need to change your MOT station.

DiddyDavies

Lewie said:
Cars are tested on a rolling road, not just visually inspected. You need to change your MOT station.

The effectiveness of the brakes is tested on a rolling road but the condition of the discs and pads is only a visible inspection and with the wheels in place, this inspection can sometimes be very hard to carry out. 

AdrianC

Lewie said:

Time to next service is irrelevant.

No, it's very relevant - especially on an "appliance" like a Kia.
"How can my tyres be illegal, Officer? It was in the garage only a little while ago, and it's not due to go back again yet. They didn't tell me they were nearly bald..."
(where "a little while" turns out to be nine months and 5k miles)

Cars are tested on a rolling road, not just visually inspected. You need to change your MOT station.

I didn't say they were only checked visually. Quite the opposite, in fact. Let me remind you:

AdrianC said:

As far as the MOT goes ... the standard for brake efficiency is laughably low. The friction material is only inspected visible as far as is possible without removing the wheels.

Yes, they are tested for efficiency on rollers (assuming the Kia in question is not something like a Sportage with permanent 4wd). And the standard for efficiency is laughably low.

williamgriffin

Lewie said:

Adrian, They did not charge for the health check? A health check wasn't asked for so they CAN'T charge for the health check. The dealer did the recall work (hopefully, no proof there) they did not charge for that? Again, they CAN'T charge for it.

You do know about the tyres unless you decided not to read the post properly. You do know what brake work was recommended unless you decided not to read the post properly. Time to next service is irrelevant.

If tyres or brakes were barely legal or under performing there would be advisories. Cars are tested on a rolling road, not just visually inspected. You need to change your MOT station.

Legal tyres in October could be illegal now even with plenty of tread. They may have hit a kerb or pothole leaving the test centre or at any time since.