Unauthorised charge was added to the car service but I signed it - what are my rights?

born_again

mike_job said:

@born_again

I completely agree that changing brake fluid regularly is good practice. Some people follow the manufacturer’s 2-year recommendation strictly, while others also take into account the actual expected life of the fluid and do a moisture check first (Volvo dealer, for example, suggest brake fluid change based on the combination of two, not purely on 2 years intervals).

But I think we’re getting a bit off track here — my issue isn’t whether the brake fluid change was needed for my car, it’s how it was added.

To clarify:

• The brake fluid change is not part of the minor or major service for my car (and I believe that’s the case for most standard consumer cars — not luxury, sports, or heavy-duty vehicles).

• The brake fluid change is recommended every two years, regardless of whether the car is being serviced or not.

• It’s optional (customer can choose) — not a manufacturer requirement to keep the warranty valid.

• I booked the car in for its second service specifically (I didn't ask for "everything what is recommended for my car by its current age/mileage"), expecting this to mean the standard minor/major service as defined by the manufacturer.

• I expected that any optional or extra recommended work would be discussed with me before being added.

That’s why I have an issue with Perry’s automatically including it without saying anything upfront.

So when you booked the service, did they give you a price & how did that compare to what you paid?

mike_job

born_again said:

So when you booked the service, did they give you a price & how did that compare to what you paid?

Just to clarify — the price wasn’t changed on the day. The amount I paid was exactly the same as the amount I was quoted when booking.

The issue is that the quote they gave me included an optional brake fluid change without telling me. I asked for the second service, and they gave me a price that bundled in the brake fluid by default, without explaining that it was an extra.

So it’s not about the price being changed after the fact — it’s about not being told what the quote actually included.

And yes, I did sign the job card — but that happened at drop-off. I signed assuming it reflected what I had booked, not realising they had silently bundled in an extra item. That’s exactly why I think their process is not transparent.

saajan_12

mike_job said:

born_again said:

So when you booked the service, did they give you a price & how did that compare to what you paid?

Just to clarify — the price wasn’t changed on the day. The amount I paid was exactly the same as the amount I was quoted when booking.

The issue is that the quote they gave me included an optional brake fluid change without telling me. I asked for the second service, and they gave me a price that bundled in the brake fluid by default, without explaining that it was an extra.

So it’s not about the price being changed after the fact — it’s about not being told what the quote actually included.

And yes, I did sign the job card — but that happened at drop-off. I signed assuming it reflected what I had booked, not realising they had silently bundled in an extra item. That’s exactly why I think their process is not transparent.

Ah that's diffierent to what I / others likely assumed. So
- they quoted £340 for a second service before you arrived
- you dropped car and signed a job card stating second service + brake fluid job
- they completed second service + brake fluid job
- they charged you £340 (broken down as 260 + 80)

If so, then no I don't think you have any recourse. Firstly because you agreed the total price.. so effectively it was a £340 second service and free brake fluid check thrown in. If they hadn't quoted the brake fluid job price which was an ADDED COST then I might have been with you. However if you agreed to the total price, that's the substantial part of the contract. It doesnt' matter that you could have made it cheaper if you agreed to the total price. 

Secondly because the transparency is provided in that job card. You can't insist on it being only at the stages of the interaction that you're scrutinising. It was still before the job was done, and in reliance of your signed job card, they did the work. 

born_again

mike_job said:

born_again said:

So when you booked the service, did they give you a price & how did that compare to what you paid?

Just to clarify — the price wasn’t changed on the day. The amount I paid was exactly the same as the amount I was quoted when booking.

The issue is that the quote they gave me included an optional brake fluid change without telling me. I asked for the second service, and they gave me a price that bundled in the brake fluid by default, without explaining that it was an extra.

So it’s not about the price being changed after the fact — it’s about not being told what the quote actually included.

And yes, I did sign the job card — but that happened at drop-off. I signed assuming it reflected what I had booked, not realising they had silently bundled in an extra item. That’s exactly why I think their process is not transparent.

So all they did was brake down the cost on the invoice.

Same price so why the problem. Or are you thinking that if brake fluid was OK, they would have knocked £80 off?

Yes I know it's spelt wrong 😜