Don't think I'll use KwikFit again

arcon5

Do mobility cars get free tyres or something? Why would they have a contract and what for exactly? Surely they bare nothing special any other garage cannot fit

Joe_Horner

The motability scheme includes full servicing, maintenance and insurance, Arcon. It's broadly equivalent to the "just add fuel" type deals that are out there now. The only real benefit is that it doesn't require a deposit.

I'd assume that Motability chose KF for tyres simply because you'll find one just about anywhere. If they used the supplying dealer (as for other work) then you'd be a bit stuck if you had a puncture in aother part of the country!

llllllllllllllllllllll

Motab use KF due to cost, Tesco can buy baked beans at a cheaper price than what the corner shop can purely due to volume purchase, Franchised/Supplying dealers do not buy as many tyres as what KF do, even when in for service if you want to fit a tyre to a motab car the price that Motab want to pay is near on cost to the dealer, if a motab car is in for service and has an iillegal tyre on they normally arrange KF mobile unit to attend the premises to replace..unless you can match KF price to motab..which is not worth it for most dealers.

Stoke

This has been going on for years with Kwik Fit. They prey on people who are... well, not so knowledgeable when it comes to cars.

I have two experiences of Kwik Fit, me and a friend. I went in for a wheel balance after I noticed my tracking was just off. Kwik Fit was open on a Sunday and I really didn't have time in the week so I popped in. They did the front wheels, I was very happy, they then proceeded to tell me that my engine mounts were 'shot' and that the car was dangerous to drive and that they needed changing for around £600. What an absolute load of !!!!!!!!. I checked the mounts a week later and they were showing no signs of significant wear. This was a year ago, the dangerous car is still safe to drive and going great and I reckon those mounts will be good for another few years, maybe 3 or 4.

I just dread to think how many women, old people, less knowledgeable people fall for these blatant lies.

The only other experience was my friend. His exhaust was rattling and making a noise. It basically needed a new clamp, something you can buy for about £10 off eBay. He went to Kwik Fit and was told the middle box was shot and therefore the entire exhaust needed replacing, at a cost of £300. He took it to a local garage who charged him £20 (inc parts) to fit a universal clamp...

llllllllllllllllllllll

Stoke wrote: »

The only other experience was my friend. His exhaust was rattling and making a noise. It basically needed a new clamp, something you can buy for about £10 off eBay. He went to Kwik Fit and was told the middle box was shot and therefore the entire exhaust needed replacing, at a cost of £300. He took it to a local garage who charged him £20 (inc parts) to fit a universal clamp...

Talking of exhausts, KF use to..dont know if they still do..most probably, but anyway they had their own exhaust manufactured, the trouble with their manufacturing process was that they use to cut the exhaust sections differently to the vehicle manufacturer.

So if you bought the exhaust system from KF and the back box went 2 years down the line then you could only go to KF to get the correct parts or you would again have to have both the intermediate and rear sections fitted if you went to A N Other garage.

Stoke

llllllllllllllllllllll wrote: »

Talking of exhausts, KF use to..dont know if they still do..most probably, but anyway they had their own exhaust manufactured, the trouble with their manufacturing process was that they use to cut the exhaust sections differently to the vehicle manufacturer.

So if you bought the exhaust system from KF and the back box went 2 years down the line then you could only go to KF to get the correct parts or you would again have to have both the intermediate and rear sections fitted if you went to A N Other garage.

If that isn't forceful monopolism, I don't know what is.

have2facefacts

My husband took our car into Kwikfit, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester yesterday for 2 new tyres ( even though I had told him to use Hyundai)
Well they managed to snap the gear linkage cable and get the car stuck in reverse! He explained that we are due to travel to Chessington world of Adventures today for our twin 11th birthday. They said a specialist mechanic was coming in at 3pm to have a look at the car. We got a call at 3.20 pm to say that they knew the problem but would need to get the part from Hyundai! By 5.35pm we had heard nothing so phoned them back to be told tough luck Hyundai hadn't answered the phone so they couldn't get the part. We asked why they hadn't driven to Hyundai 10 minutes away. Answer - we have other customers who were booked in for work!
When asked about a courtesy car or them hiring us a car their answer was tough!!! We don't do that. We then asked to speak to area manager - no we can't do that!
Tried headoffice but that shut at 5.30. So will be calling this morning!!!

Stoke

have2facefacts wrote: »

My husband took our car into Kwikfit, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester yesterday for 2 new tyres ( even though I had told him to use Hyundai)
Well they managed to snap the gear linkage cable and get the car stuck in reverse! He explained that we are due to travel to Chessington world of Adventures today for our twin 11th birthday. They said a specialist mechanic was coming in at 3pm to have a look at the car. We got a call at 3.20 pm to say that they knew the problem but would need to get the part from Hyundai! By 5.35pm we had heard nothing so phoned them back to be told tough luck Hyundai hadn't answered the phone so they couldn't get the part. We asked why they hadn't driven to Hyundai 10 minutes away. Answer - we have other customers who were booked in for work!
When asked about a courtesy car or them hiring us a car their answer was tough!!! We don't do that. We then asked to speak to area manager - no we can't do that!
Tried headoffice but that shut at 5.30. So will be calling this morning!!!

Wow... that's a new one. Please post an update of what happens.

have2facefacts

Well we have our car back. Not sure what to do now though!
They have fixed the linkage cable at no cost to us! Was never going to allow them to charge us.
They did it as a 'goodwill gesture whilst admitting no liability' however they were supposed to be saving the cables for us. So we could see they were going to snap anyway and that it was their misfortune it happened to them - this hasn't happened.
We have had no response from anyone in the company despite asking for contact from area manager and phoning headoffice!
We did however manage to get away for the twins birthday thanks to my mother-in-law lending us her car and curtailing her plans for the weekend!
Would like some feedback on what is reasonable recompense to seek from Kwikfit please.

Stoke

have2facefacts wrote: »

Well we have our car back. Not sure what to do now though!
They have fixed the linkage cable at no cost to us! Was never going to allow them to charge us.
They did it as a 'goodwill gesture whilst admitting no liability' however they were supposed to be saving the cables for us. So we could see they were going to snap anyway and that it was their misfortune it happened to them - this hasn't happened.
We have had no response from anyone in the company despite asking for contact from area manager and phoning headoffice!
We did however manage to get away for the twins birthday thanks to my mother-in-law lending us her car and curtailing her plans for the weekend!
Would like some feedback on what is reasonable recompense to seek from Kwikfit please.

Obviously the repair done as a goodwill gesture is a nice start, but surely they could have given you a couple of new tyres or something? Perhaps a service or something. I feel like KwikFit as a garage, they really truly don't give a !!!! about the customer. Any other garage would do something, just as a little favour.