Yet another investigation into garages has come out smelling of something less fragrant than roses: "Alarmingly, 36% of cars were returned with major faults - including brake failure - unrepaired."
Here's the link:
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4111534.stm
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Mis-diagnosis and un-necessary work is rife amongst warranty repairs.
Frankly I would not trust most garages to service a walking stick.
After 20 years as an Automotive Engineer I find this very frustrating. But why should I care? The company cars don't belong to me afterall. My own car is serviced by yours truly, no-one else.
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Personally believe a lot of the mis-diagnosis is due to the increased use of electronic modules/computers now commonplacei in modern cars. Mechanics have been de-skilled & many do not now have a basic mechanical understanding -- the problem is unless the cars diagnostic module gives them an appropraite fault code they're clueless !!!
That's not to say they're aren't any dodgy garages out there who tell you any old rubbish just to make money, we all know there are & in my experience it's more likely to be a Franchised dealer than a "one man band"
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>>it's official>>
With all due respects Trading Standards has been producing similar reports to its just released example (along with a certain consumer magazine, the name of which you will have to guess) for many, many years.
As mountainkat rightly points out it's more than likely to be a franchised outlet, so finding a good, reliable independent is one of life's true rewards.
But don't damn every franchised or garage outlet with the wording of your thread - it doesn't apply to every one of them...:-)
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PS
I should also have pointed out that Trading Standards generally targets those garage outlets for which numerous complaints have been received from unhappy customers.
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Whilst this report is frightening I have to say its old news. Magazines has been pulling this stunt for years.
Bike magazine used to do it annually and it was always the case that the biggest chain in UK (now bankrupted) was the worst offender.
Quick plug for Jack Lilleys (Sheperton). Best Triumph garage in UK.
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The NCC (National Consumer Council) have been pressing for licensing of the motor repair trade for some years. The problem is that the motor industry is very influential in government and employs many lobbyists - they have 'tame' MPs on the payroll. In many other countries vehicle repairers have to be licenced - but successive governments have refused to introduce this into the UK. The results are fairly predictable.
As a 'sop', the OFT 'Codes Scheme' (i.e. 'self regulation' - LOL) has been introduced.
I'm still in the IMI and have some dealings with the RMIF - I occassionally go to some of their events. A very great deal of money is being made by some repairers, and whichever way you look at it a lot of money is being obtained through over-pricing and carrying out repairs that are not needed (or charging for repairs that are not done).
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When they were reporting this on BBC Breakfast the other day they were in a garage with five service bays , each with a camera and they actually video your car service and give a copy to you so you can see what work they have or have not carried out.
Seems like a great idea to me.
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Yes I'm sure that many garages are good, but I find the prevalence of bad servicing worrying. Indeed this issue is not new.
A colleague had a wheel come off after a service, and his car overturned on the motorway. He did get compensation as the mechanics were at fault.
Regarding independent garages, many of us are restricted to main dealer garages due to manufacturer's 3 year warranty terms and conditions.
Leif
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>>estricted to main dealer garages due to manufacturer's 3 year warranty terms and conditions. >>
The OFT issued this statement some two years ago:
www.oft.gov.uk/news/press+releases/2003/pn+89-03.h...m
This led to:
www.oft.gov.uk/News/Press+releases/2004/85-04.htm
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"Regarding independent garages, many of us are restricted to main dealer garages due to manufacturer's 3 year warranty terms and conditions."
Leif,
no-one is restricted to main dealer garages now - your vehicle can be serviced by any VAT registered company provided OEM parts are used & the service schedule adhered to (if doing so its advisable to retain all relevant paperwork)
-- wish I could find a good independant, hate handing my cash over to the dealers when they clearly don't give a monkeys about you as a customer, although in this country these problems aren't necessarily specific to the motor industry, but that's a whole new topic !!!
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Thanks to everyone who pointed out that there is now no compulsion to use main dealer servicing. I take it this is for the full 3 years not just the first one? But, from reading HJ's column, using a main dealer means that you get notice of essential repairs notified by the manufacturer. Also, if I sold my car after 3 years, would the used value be higher for main dealer FSH compared to independent FSH?
Lewif
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-- wish I could find a good independant, hate handing my cash over to the dealers when they clearly don't give a monkeys about you as a customer,>>
If you live anywhere near the Black Country try Mick Coop Motors at Rowley Regis. The boss, Phil, is a perfectionist and is almost paranoid about ensuring every car that comes into his workshop goes out in as perfect mechanical condition as can be achieved. I'm moving to Wales soon but my cars will come back to Phil for servicing.
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Yes, Trading Standards are only interested in garages for which they have received numerous complaints. I've had masses of trouble with my car purchased from a main dealer. Complained to Trading Standards and they told me there was little they could do as they had not received enough complaints. So how many people out there have to drive around in faulty and in some cases dangerous cars all services by the same garage, before they will do something?
For the record I have just taken my car to an independant garage who tell me that the work that the main dealer told me they had done had clearly not been carried out - and I am now without a car because it has brakes which dont work .... but it appears there is nothing I can do.
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should it not be compulsory for all garages to have a little booth where you can watch them work on your car?
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It's not just regular service either. I maintain my car in pristine condition, (it has a pale interior) but I like it that way anyway. But what gets me irritated is that I always have to clean greasy marks of it whenever it has been in the dealer (which had been far too often for my liking).
And to add insult to injury the monkeys that are "allegedly" repairing it never, ever put it back together properly. I almost always have to refit, reassemble or clean some part of the car when it comes back.
I have had a long running dialogue with the manufacturer over all aspects of this car and to be honest, I don't think they care one jot. Even despite the fact I have been a loyal customer from the day I passed my test 25 years ago. It counts for nothing.
Never again will I buy a Ford. I was thinking Lexus last time but it will be my first choice next time.
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I live in the Thames Valley (for my sins), and have tried to do both service and new car purchase business with several of the prestige car dealerships in my area, but the fact is their deals on new cars are rubbish, and their servicing is at £30 an hour more than in Wales or the Midlands etc. So, as money doesnt grow on trees, I naturally go elsewhere in the country wityh my business.
But do you know what, the sad part is, they don't care. The Ausi dealer in Newbury actually said to me that for everyone like me that haggles there are twenty more that just pay the sticker price !!!!!!!!!!!!
So with attitudes like this and the pitifull service record most of these guys have, the sooner we get further towards a retail style of car dealing the better, as the dealers don't add any value anyway.
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The franchisers (the brands) carefully isolate dealers by distance to reduce competition. So its snooze time for the dealers, with the predictable results. The dealers are the only customers the brands relate to: and they have to get the sales target, or else. Joe Publicas as an individual is just a milch kuhe: no influence at all, but gives a nice margin over corporate deals.
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