Halfords Experiences? Complaint in progress

Martin_o03

Hello all, I've had a terrible experience with Halfords recently getting some repairs done and I was interested to know if anyone has had any similar experience/if you have went  through the complaints process and what the end result was.

I took my car to Halfords for a free brake check, I was told only the back brake pads needed changing and was given a price. I then took the car to a local garage and was told that all my pads and discs needed changed (the front pads had completely collapsed they said) and to be honest the noise was horrific. They said it would cost me over £400. So immediately I'm thinking they are it and chancing their arm.

I took the car back to Halfords, this was all over the course of two weeks. They checked again and said that actually everything needed replaced. They did not admit fault after the initial check or acknowledged that they had missed something that was surely glaringly obvious. They completed the work, costing about £350.

A week later I got a puncture and could not for the life of me get the front wheel off. I had to pay £60 for a call out and the mechanic confirmed that every wheel nut was over tightened which could have damaged my wheels and alloys.

I then returned the car to Halfords and they fixed the wheel nuts. They also checked the brakes again because I had heard a screeching when making a sharp turn - they said they were fine (how can I trust this when it was the same person who initially said only my back brakes needed replaced when they had actually collapsed at the front? I also lost 2 Saturdays taking the car into them and having to leave it with them the full day.. They offered no time frame, just literally shrugged their shoulders.

Also, when I initially took the car in I asked the guy if he could check a warning light on my car - "front left malfunction" I had told him that it occurred after getting the sets washed. When I returned he said he checked it and it was just a loose wire underneath, they couldn't fix it.

I had this checked again today at a specialist for my car. He used the machine to check warning lights and within 5 minutes he told me that there was an internal airbag failure meaning the airbag/seat sensors are not correlating and I would fail my MOT due next week. So I've been driving around like this for 4 months..

Surely Halfords would have checked the warning message with a similar machine, would that not be normal procedure? 

Considering all the issues, with the misdiagnosis of the brake problem, the overtightened nuts, being 60 quid out of pocket and missing an airbag fault am I going overboard? A serious of failures.

I began the complaints process before Christmas. I was told I would hear back from an area manager. Nothing. I called yesterday and was told the complaint was resolved. Again no-one has contacted me and I've never said anything is resolved.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

thanks

SpudGunPaul

I wonder why people refer to them as Halfrauds. 

diystarter7

Hi
In fairness to Halfords, you can go to any garge and get a !!!!!! service/advice/checks

The main car, massive service low miles, small thing but twice the batter has not been change on the key as i always give them the key where battery is low and that opens the car, the trunk and starts it but does not open from the outside the windows or the pan roof.

My first car, broke the axle on it took it to the main dealer via rac - repaired the car and as i drove home and put on the parking brake it did not work - the nechain had fixed it back

At Halfords a brank i did not use but was in the area, a free brake check, without taking wheels off or measuring discs etc as i was watching, the ?? manager said i needed new discs and pads  and tried to make me look small when i said i was selling the car in a couple of weeks saying you are going to sell a dangerous car - i took it to my main halfords at the time this was years ago and discs etc were fine and had several k's left on them (took the car in for a slight noise as i drove over a speed  hump - slight wear on frop link got it changed beore selling it)

Went to Kwikfit about to years ago as soprts car a merc stood around for yonks and brakes making nosie - done for free and good clean test rive etcal Foc, same pads sic on car today

So it can vary and often down to a poor manager or a useless/lazy technician

So it can vary and personally, I dont even trsut my merc people - i actually trust the manger at Halfords and say hi to him when at the outlets don there and they service our sports merc the big gls goes to mercs.

diystarter7

Btw - have you coanisdered leaving a review on Trustpilot, an honest and concise review but call them again one more time and see if they help out and tell them you have had enough and will leave honest feedback on a review site etc.

Thanks

Bigwheels1111

Why O Why would you go the Halfords, National tyres or Kwik fit.
Do you like open wallet surgery.
I’m not a mechanic, but have a brain cell or two.

I took my 3 year old car into Peugeot for its service and mot.
They told me my pads all round needed changing and discs are rusted so I might want to change them also.
Only £800. My car had only done 8000 miles.
I check the pads with this.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LYZZR2J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Green good, red bad.
Just hit 20k on the clock and still have 8mm left all round.
Never trust anyone, get 3 opinions at least.
Plus ask friends if they know a trusted mechanic.

diystarter7

Bigwheels1111 said:

.
Never trust anyone, get 3 opinions at least.
Plus ask friends if they know a trusted mechanic.

Hi

The above bit - indeed.

I'm not sure if the managers get a commission or fear for they job if they don't get the turnover expected, but its not just the ones you mentioned, I'd also be weary of main dealers and the smaller outfits.

If you find someone you can trust, stick with them

There should be video evidence of servicing as I always feel it was not done properly.

thanks

angrycrow

It is poor that they missed the front brakes. 

The airbag light could well be a a loose wire or multi plug under the seat. It is a common issue on a lot of cars. Sometimes pushing the plug back together sorts it. Sometimes it needs an extra cable tie to secure it. Main dealer is likely to insist on replacing that section of the loom. Halfords have to give a warranty on the job so probably did not fancy replacing the loom as it's a big job with a wait for the part that ties up a space in the workshop. Once the connection is made good the light should go out on its own during start up test sequence.

Likely outcome of complaint, at best offer of discount on next MOT or order of tyres as good will. 

Bigphil1474

To be fair to Halfords, Kwik Fit etc. they are usually fine if you are buying a battery, bulbs, tyres etc., if the price is right. I once bought a bicycle from Halfords, and my last set of rear tyres on the car were fitted by Kwik Fit mobile. All good. Anything beyond that, not for me.

Martin_o03

thanks for your reply all. I'm still waiting on a reply

the car failed an MOT today because it was missing a wheel nut in the tyre that was last taken off in Halfords..

my fault for not noticing the missing nut before the MOT but I wouldn't be surprised if they've forgot to put it on our by tightening too much they've messed up the thread and its came loose..Ah well