Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sat 28 Aug 2010 19:38
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - SSR

Hi folks,

A Lexus and Saab (both new) owning friend swears by his local Nationwide Autocentre, after being ripped off by Lexus for servicing (they serviced his car when he took it in for a light bulb change, without asking).

We've just used them, based on his experience, to service my wife's RAV4 (6 years old). It was a slightly mixed experience, as there was a mix up over whether genuine Toyota parts should be used, which were eventually.

But we didn't get the usual call saying there were lots of things wrong, just advisories re. the exhaust and brakes (for future work).

Has anyone else had experience of Nationwide Autocentre? Are they good for simple stuff, best avoided, or does it depend on the location?

TIA

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 28 Aug 2010 20:55
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - jc2

Haven't they recently been taken over by Halfords?.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 28 Aug 2010 21:29
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - Armstrong Sid

Haven't they recently been taken over by Halfords?.

Yes. I went past the one in Nottingham today and they were literally changing the signs from Nationwide to Halfords as I drove past.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 28 Aug 2010 22:04
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - Diamond

Used this company for my works van a few weeks ago. They seemed OK had the MOT done too. They put on new front pads (don't know what make) but work fine.

The van was off the road for a week while a new part for the cooling system from Fiat was obtained, not their fault for the wait it was on back order at the supplier.

Only criticism was that the brake fluid wasn't topped up to max and also anti freeze not up to max line.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 28 Aug 2010 22:30
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - Xantiaman

Seemed OK to me. I used them around February this year for a minor service on my out of warranty Signum (car was around 45k). The fixed price service was about £15 cheaper than going to Vauxhall, but I really opted for them as their workshop was very handy for work.

No nasty surprises. They rang to suggest I have the coolant changed as it was OK but weak, that I change the brake fluid and have a new pollen filter fitted. I agreed to the brake fluid being changed, but am leaving the coolant till its next service which will be in a couple of months.

I remember being quoted £25 for the pollen filter which I though a bit steep. The actual part is only a few quid on ebay and I've been told its a 10 minute job at most. Don't know how this compares to Vauxhall charges.

The work was done in the time agreed, the chap on the desk was friendly and polite, have had no service related problems with the car since. I'll most probably be going back to them.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 29 Aug 2010 10:49
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - SSR

Curiously they suggested changing the brake fluid on my wife's car as well, on the basis that they couldn't determine from the service book when it was last changed.

Unfortunately we've only had the car a year, and don't have receipts from the previous services, although the brakes don't feel spongy so we didn't do it.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 30 Aug 2010 00:07
Nationwide Autocentre... Experiences? - primeradriver

Had a repair done on the Focus to replace the clutch master cylinder (warranty repair, and NA were the authorised repairer). Took it in at 9am, done at 12.30 (they did not know up to 9am the nature of the fault), job well done and car well presented.

Seemed a decent, efficient service to me.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link