Chargeback query on new brakes

jimpix12

The brakes on my vehicle make a terrible noise about 90% of the time. I've been asking the manufacturer to change the brake pads as the vehicle is still under warranty, for months now, but they have consistently refused, saying it's not an abnormal noise. They told me the only way that they would change the brake pads is if I paid for them. I tried for ages to-ing and fro-ing with them but they were just not going to change their minds so I relented and paid the £350 that they charged.

But I don't even think that they have changed the pads. The noise is still there coming from the same part of the wheels. To be honest I did wonder if they were just going to say that they did this when they had no intention of doing it, so I took some photos beforehand and marked the brake pads/disks with a white marker pen. And guess what you can still see it on the front pad so they haven't changed at least one of them maybe both. (My understanding is that you HAVE to change both?!) So in other words they have charged me £350 to do literally nothing. Nothing at all. And I have photos to prove it.

But my question is, should I tell my credit card issuer that I marked the pads beforehand as I am worried that they will say there was a suspicion it would not be changed, they are not reputable, I shouldnt have got them to change it but chosen someone else , etc etc. Please help!

Once I have my £350 back I will look into Ombudsman etc.

kaMelo

Why not just go back to the garage and tell them what you have told us, then ask them to do it properly this time?

eskbanker

jimpix12 said:

The brakes on my vehicle make a terrible noise about 90% of the time. I've been asking the manufacturer to change the brake pads as the vehicle is still under warranty, for months now, but they have consistently refused, saying it's not an abnormal noise. They told me the only way that they would change the brake pads is if I paid for them.

How long have you had the vehicle for and what sort of mileage have you done?  Brake pads may not be expected to last the entire duration of a warranty period as, like tyres, they're parts where replacement should be expected on a regular (but not frequent!) basis, but at the owner's expense.  Brake pads should typically be changed as a front pair or a back pair, but not necessarily all four together.

However, if a company (manufacturer or dealer?) took payment for something and didn't deliver it then that's a perfectly valid chargeback claim if the company is uncooperative, and the perceived reputation of the company doesn't affect your rights, and neither does marking the pads first.

jimpix12

eskbanker said:

jimpix12 said:

The brakes on my vehicle make a terrible noise about 90% of the time. I've been asking the manufacturer to change the brake pads as the vehicle is still under warranty, for months now, but they have consistently refused, saying it's not an abnormal noise. They told me the only way that they would change the brake pads is if I paid for them.

How long have you had the vehicle for and what sort of mileage have you done?  Brake pads may not be expected to last the entire duration of a warranty period as, like tyres, they're parts where replacement should be expected on a regular (but not frequent!) basis, but at the owner's expense.  Brake pads should typically be changed as a front pair or a back pair, but not necessarily all four together.

However, if a company (manufacturer or dealer?) took payment for something and didn't deliver it then that's a perfectly valid chargeback claim if the company is uncooperative, and the perceived reputation of the company doesn't affect your rights, and neither does marking the pads first.

It is 4.5 months old and I've done 5000 miles.  There is still 11mm tread left on the pads (or there was before they "replaced" them).

cx6

You could consider getting a second garage to look at the work and give you their opinion.

In any case, brakes don't make a noise (unless you are braking).

Brie

I had this once with a truck I borrowed for moving.  Horrid noise the whole time I drove it to Ikea in Croyden and most of the way back to the south coast.  And then I discovered the hand brake.  Oops!  

I'm sure you're not this silly though and would suggest you talk to a second garage for an opinion if you are unsure about the first place's standard of work and complete sure about their ability to lie.

born_again

cx6 said:

You could consider getting a second garage to look at the work and give you their opinion.

In any case, brakes don't make a noise (unless you are braking).

They do if they are rubbing due to being stuck.

Odds on Op is not using car much & at this time of year pads tend to stick to disk due to surface rust. This then makes a grating noise as it wears off.

bris

You don't have phoros to prove anything. All you have is a photo after you put a mark on the pads and another photo after you put a matk on the new pad. You didn't put a mark on a new pad ? Of course not but no one accepts photos as proof as they are easilly manipulated,

[Deleted User]

Photos that would be supplied unedited if it went to court and would easily show manipulation, the cost to have it done so it was hard to detect (and getting the original date and edited date to be matched up) would be far more that this is worth

sourcrates

Smear a little copper slip on the back of each brake pad, that is the usual cause of noise whilst braking.

Other thing it could be, depending on the type of noise, is a stone trapped between brake disk and calliper/pad.
The pad only contacts the disc when braking, so if the noise appears at other times its not the pads that are responsible.

A simple strip down and clean is not beyond someone who`s fit and able.

Average price of a set of pads is around £40, you can fit them in 5 mins, very simple job, although garages will charge you labour obviously, but £350 is cuckoo, what do you drive a Ferrari ?

cx6

excellent money saving idea - repair your own brakes - what could possibly go wrong ?