jerry3167 Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Guys, Im sure you all are aware that there have been numerous stories about rogue garages, some Stealers who dont really do the work thats set out to do on services. By that I mean that things that should be checked, are not, and things that should be changed are not! Programmes like BBC`S Rogue Traders has highlighted some of these garages, and hopefully more will be exposed. Other things that worry me, are those that say they`ll use your oil, but dont...Probably keep it for themselves! Coolant, gear oil are a few things that could be "missed". Alot of places are looking to save money and the easy way is to say you`ve done work you havent done, and charge for bits you havent fitted!! Its getting to the point that we all need CCTV underthe bonnet to make sure they dont cheat!! Opinions? Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 thats why some of us use tried and trusted places Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Coops Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 DIY Then you know its been done properly! coops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I usually hang around and watch to see if I can learn anything. I dont like the garages that dont allow this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Answer: NO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamby Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 hang around and watch could be intimidating but they wont object if they not going anything wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmJak Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 When I got mine from Arnold Clarke they said they'd change the oil and service it. I took it straight to TDI North for them to look at it. The air filter was black with leaves in it, and the oil was gloopy. I don't trust garages unless I can see what they're doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 When I got mine from Arnold Clarke they said they'd change the oil and service it. I took it straight to TDI North for them to look at it. The air filter was black with leaves in it, and the oil was gloopy. I don't trust garages unless I can see what they're doing. well you made the fatal error of using AC glad you didnt trust them and got a second opinion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I usually hang around and watch to see if I can learn anything. I dont like the garages that dont allow this. +1 - I do this for any work I pay for that I have the time to hang around. Car service, boiler service, plumbing work etc. Never met anyone yet who didnt let me watch. My plumber said he likes it when people want to watch him work as it shows that he is doing the right thing and explains what he is doing and everything to me. Same at TGM Sport, they tell me what they are doing and half the time tell me what to do to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny 350Z Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Mine's in for the 3 year P1 in a German Nissan dealership tomorrow. Knowing das Germans it will be a very efficient and thorough service. Oh and I get the tax off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilh Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I agree with being much more comfortable if you at least get the chance to see what they are doing. Unfortunately many workshops use the HSE (Health and Safety) argument to send you off to their waiting room and prevent you seeing what they're upto - let alone actually getting to discuss anything with the service engineers. Same happens on MOTs. It was great to be able to wander around as my Zed was up on the jacks for it's P3 at DMS the other week and get a looksee at the underside. I was there because the Forum recommended Dixon and his team and I have to say they were true to everyone's word and I would recomend to anyone else - especialy if you want to see for yoursleve what they're upto. BFn NeilH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkie34 Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I agree with being much more comfortable if you at least get the chance to see what they are doing.Unfortunately many workshops use the HSE (Health and Safety) argument to send you off to their waiting room and prevent you seeing what they're upto - let alone actually getting to discuss anything with the service engineers. Same happens on MOTs. It was great to be able to wander around as my Zed was up on the jacks for it's P3 at DMS the other week and get a looksee at the underside. I was there because the Forum recommended Dixon and his team and I have to say they were true to everyone's word and I would recomend to anyone else - especialy if you want to see for yoursleve what they're upto. BFn NeilH With MOTs they should have a viewing area so you can actually watch them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 When I got mine from Arnold Clarke they said they'd change the oil and service it. I took it straight to TDI North for them to look at it. The air filter was black with leaves in it, and the oil was gloopy. I don't trust garages unless I can see what they're doing. well you made the fatal error of using AC glad you didnt trust them and got a second opinion Arnold Shark = twunts Wee story for you - my first car an Astra..........driving up to Pitlochry .....BIG bang everything dead- (pretty scary when you were burling along quite happily) Belt had snapped .....result= engine shafted. Towed to Arnolds - turns out belt wasn't replaced at the previous servvice when it should have been. Three weeks of wrangling with them and Vauxhaull - end result a new engine at their expense Service manager thanked me for business and sincerely hoped he would never see me again...........he hasn't and I've had two vauxhalls and a nissan since not from them and never ever serviced by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainSensible Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Arnold Shark = twunts Wee story for you - my first car an Astra..........driving up to Pitlochry .....BIG bang everything dead- (pretty scary when you were burling along quite happily) Belt had snapped .....result= engine shafted. Towed to Arnolds - turns out belt wasn't replaced at the previous servvice when it should have been. Three weeks of wrangling with them and Vauxhaull - end result a new engine at their expense Service manager thanked me for business and sincerely hoped he would never see me again...........he hasn't and I've had two vauxhalls and a nissan since not from them and never ever serviced by them. That's outrageous. They should get shut down for that kind of behaviour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R35LEE Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I recently bought a Chilli Red 350z to break. It's a 35,000 GT UK 54reg car and was loved by the past owner. Anyway he purchased it from a Nissan Main Stealer for a decent sum of cash and after 3 months of driving he heard a bang and all power went off causing loss off power steering / servo assisted brakes etc. The poor guy was coming off a motorway junction at speed so it was a choice of the lamppost or the cars in front! The lamppost won / lost! There was something not quite right here. The previous owner lived on the Nissan garages test route and they saw the car on his drive and without any contact with the owner they tried to have the car collected on a low loader 4 times! They obviously knew there was some sort of problem with the car as they had it on the books for a year with no takers. On investigation the main fused link on the battery terminal had blown due to a major fault in the body control module. The Nisan garage must have been clearing fault codes and fuses a lot. I think an independent specialist is always better than a dealer as it's purely about the numbers with them. Rant over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 garages and workman you can trust are like gold dust, i generally go on reccomendations from others, i've taken a chance with Team AFM but they are turning out to be a great little gem. i'm 90% sure i want them to do my service as they do seem good, and have been really good to deal with. but now you post this you put a worry in my brain as i won't be there to watch. but at the end of the day, they have built a good rep in other areas, and hangar 111 use them as do the lotus club, so they can;t be that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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