Car servicing far from home - cautionary tale

Stevie Dakota

Recently took the car up North for a standard service. To cut a long story short the final bill, after negotiation was for over €2000. They found, and showed me a couple of serious problems and advised against driving the car. I took that information and photos and got second opinions from mechanics down here and it appeared from the description of the faults they were genuine. I then approved the work.

Had the car been nearer home I would have driven away and made other plans, I even considered retrieving the car with a towing company.

This was with a franchised dealer and major retailing group.

Talking to another person waiting for her car (from Dublin), she was £800 down on routine service after other problems were found, and once again was advised not to drive her car.

Just bear in mind, they have you over a barrel and they know it. Now everything may have been 100% and the work could have been totally genuine, but the whole episode left a very sour taste and I will be getting all my servicing done here from now on.

opinion guy

What make of car ?

helimachoptor

If they had said nothing and just done the service and let you drive away, and something failed and you crashed you'd be cursing them..

voxpop

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

They found, and showed me a couple of serious problems and advised against driving the car. I took that information and photos and got second opinions from mechanics down here and it appeared from the description of the faults they were genuine. I then approved the work.

Seems like they found some serious faults and charged you to fix them - you even confirmed that they were genuine faults. Would you have done them yourself if closer to home or whats the problem ?

Henry Ford III

If the faults were all genuine and needed fixing, and assuming that NI servicing and parts are cheaper than here in any event, where's the issue?

Seth Brundle

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Recently took the car up North for a standard service. To cut a long story short the final bill, after negotiation was for over €2000. They found, and showed me a couple of serious problems and advised against driving the car. I took that information and photos and got second opinions from mechanics down here and it appeared from the description of the faults they were genuine. I then approved the work.

What is your point? They found faults, allowed you to photograph them for a second opinion which showed their claims to be accurate.
They gave you the chance to approve or turn down the work and you approved (at a negotiated cost).
Are you telling us that its wise to get a car serviced up north then?

Stevie Dakota

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Just bear in mind, they have you over a barrel and they know it. Now everything may have been 100% and the work could have been totally genuine, but the whole episode left a very sour taste and I will be getting all my servicing done here from now on.

They don't have you over a barrel in reality. They cannot stop you driving the car away if you want and from my experience some garages opinion of a car that cannot be driven and my opinion are two very different things.

johnos1984

I fail to see the problem.

What exactly was wrong with the car?

irishejit

You approved the work so whats there to complain about???

Are you just using the fact that it was a northern garage as a scape goat cos ure p1ssed @ how much it cost to put right????

I'd far rather be driving a safe car

As said before you were under no obligation to get the work done there.

Also if its the price, you are always going to pay more in a franchised dealership, but at least you'll have some form of warranty and guarantee on the work carried out....

Stevie Dakota

The various comments are valid, and as I say everything may have been 100%.

However, if the car is on your doorstep getting a second opinion or finding an alternate garage is a viable option. Especially when presented with a potentially large bill. In this case it was not. I know a bit about cars, have worked on them and do my homework, I also trust my instincts and in this case it just felt 'off'.

Its not beyond the realms of possibility....

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-deti/news-deti-july-2007/news-deti-170707-charles-hurst-in.htm

OldmanMondeo

I think the OP is comparing the "extra" work on his to a Friends car done in the Republic. That maybe the dealer ripped him off cause he needed the work done to get hte car back south.

OP without knowing what your car is, what work was done and the same details on your friends it would be hard to agree or disagree

Seth Brundle

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The various comments are valid, and as I say everything may have been 100%.

However, if the car is on your doorstep getting a second opinion or finding an alternate garage is a viable option. Especially when presented with a potentially large bill. In this case it was not. I know a bit about cars, have worked on them and do my homework, I also trust my instincts and in this case it just felt 'off'.

Whilst I can understand the suspicion, the fact remains that you were under no obligation to get them to do the work and you took the opportunity to get a second chance which confirmed the mechanics fault claims. You also managed to negotiate a price reduction.
Still though you feel hard done by.
I don't understand your view though.

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Its not beyond the realms of possibility....

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-deti/news-deti-july-2007/news-deti-170707-charles-hurst-in.htm

Different situation - in that case, Hursts didn't do the work so thats completely different from your situation.

Stevie Dakota

kbannon wrote: »

Different situation - in that case, Hursts didn't do the work so thats completely different from your situation.

You think? I would say it raises serious questions about trust. You think a company that charges for work not carried would not consider generating bogus work?

Despite the second opinion I got (which was based purely on my description of the fault) it was still possible that some of the work was either misdiagnosed or not required.

Anyway, there is no need to go in circles, I made the decisions and I accept them.

The purpose of this post is to let people know that you may take your car up North (or anywhere far from home) for routine servicing, you may be presented with unexpected and large bills for repair, and you may want to think about how you would proceed if that is the case.

I would say most people just green light the repair out of necessity, and I am sure most mechanics know this.

Or am I just a cynic?

Del2005

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The various comments are valid, and as I say everything may have been 100%.

However, if the car is on your doorstep getting a second opinion or finding an alternate garage is a viable option. Especially when presented with a potentially large bill. In this case it was not. I know a bit about cars, have worked on them and do my homework, I also trust my instincts and in this case it just felt 'off'.

There was bound to be a garage close to the one you went to in order to get a 2nd opinion. Which you actually did from pictures.

If the car was close to home and the garage said it had potentially dangerous issues you would still need to get it a lifted to another garage so it would still cost you to get it moved.

dobsdave

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

You think? I would say it raises serious questions about trust. You think a company that charges for work not carried would not consider generating bogus work?

Despite the second opinion I got (which was based purely on my description of the fault) it was still possible that some of the work was either misdiagnosed or not required.

Anyway, there is no need to go in circles, I made the decisions and I accept them.

The purpose of this post is to let people know that you may take your car up North (or anywhere far from home) for routine servicing, you may be presented with unexpected and large bills for repair, and you may want to think about how you would proceed if that is the case.

I would say most people just green light the repair out of necessity, and I am sure most mechanics know this.

Or am I just a cynic?

I think alot of people are opening your thread thinking there is something in particular to avoid/ be wary of by getting a car worked on in the North.
When this is not actually the case in your situation.
You are saying anywhere far from home?

mickdw

What is the car & what works were required?
I would be suspicious of there being that amount of critical work needed that would make the car unsafe to drive.

Voodoomelon

I see what he's saying about heading up north and beinng posibly left stranded by a much bigger problem, but that pretty much goes without saying. Same as if you drove to a garage in Cork and they found a bigger issue there.

Nothing to do with the North at all.

Seth Brundle

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

You think? I would say it raises serious questions about trust. You think a company that charges for work not carried would not consider generating bogus work?

I would indeed but that wasn't the ase with the mechanic you used.

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Despite the second opinion I got (which was based purely on my description of the fault) it was still possible that some of the work was either misdiagnosed or not required.

It wasn't just a description - you told us that you got photos also.
However, you are tarring what based on what you told your second mechanic was correct yet you still don't trust them and came on here to warn others about using mechanics up North.

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The purpose of this post is to let people know that you may take your car up North (or anywhere far from home) for routine servicing, you may be presented with unexpected and large bills for repair, and you may want to think about how you would proceed if that is the case.

I would say most people just green light the repair out of necessity, and I am sure most mechanics know this.

Or am I just a cynic?

I think that you are being a cynic. I posted here a year agoabout a Pug mechanic in Sandyford who quoted for work on my wifes car that definitely did not need to be done. It took me to start into a DIY brake job to find that out. Needless to say that the garage were apologetic and it was their first ever mistake and yada yada yada.
There are good mechanics everywhere and bad mechanics everywhere and in most cases there is always another mechanic nearby if required.
Coming on here implying that the ones up North (or indeed in the RoI but far from home are out to get you is wrong.
As I understand it you were given very professional and correct advice on your car, allowed to take photos for a second opinion and given a reduced rate but you still feel that you were shafted (so much so that you started this thread).

Jaysoose

So reading between the lines, guy takes car up north for service (obviously knows there are issues and tries to get cheap fix) gets bad news and its the garages fault he brought it up north?

am i missing something.

Stevie Dakota

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

The various comments are valid, and as I say everything may have been 100%.

However, if the car is on your doorstep getting a second opinion or finding an alternate garage is a viable option. Especially when presented with a potentially large bill. In this case it was not. I know a bit about cars, have worked on them and do my homework, I also trust my instincts and in this case it just felt 'off'.

Why did you not just bring it home.

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I would say most people just green light the repair out of necessity, and I am sure most mechanics know this.

Id never green light repair work unless it was my local mechanic as he would definitely not be fixing things that are not required.

In general I know the ins and outs of my car so anytime I have got a call from a garage telling me I need this and that I say no as I know for a fact that the car does not need the work they claim.

I do most of my own work now on the car now or get my local mechanic for bits I cant.

beam99

Again can you list the faults that were found and maybe post the photos, or a description of the work they carried out on the invoice you received

Stevie Dakota

Jaysoose wrote: »

So reading between the lines, guy takes car up north for service (obviously knows there are issues and tries to get cheap fix) gets bad news and its the garages fault he brought it up north?

am i missing something.

Maybe you should read the lines themselves. The car went up for a standard service. The items that were eventually replaced were anything other than routine, we were unaware of any issues and there were no symptoms of any impending problems.

Once again, the garage may have been 100%, they may not, will I be taking my car for servicing hundreds of miles away from home again? No. As I said, cautionary tale.

Seth Brundle

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Once again, the garage may have been 100%, they may not

but you said...

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I took that information and photos and got second opinions from mechanics down here and it appeared from the description of the faults they were genuine.

There is absolutely nothing from what you have told us to suggest that they were anything but genuine!

thenightrider

Id still go up north or any were far away if it ment i could save money as you said you took pics and showed it to an other mechanic and was told the same thing you could have driven the car to an other mechanic up north or in dundalk or an other boarder town but you didnt if i tought something was up thats what i would have done.

You will always be told its not a good idea to drive the car as they want to do the work but you still could have tell us what was wrong with the car and people on here could tell you.

Mate of mine needed a new turbo for his car was told he shold not drive the car with it being gone 1600 down here he drove it up north 800 up there so it could have been worse for you get the work down here and maybe cost you double.

Jaysoose

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Maybe you should read the lines themselves. The car went up for a standard service. The items that were eventually replaced were anything other than routine, we were unaware of any issues and there were no symptoms of any impending problems.

Once again, the garage may have been 100%, they may not, will I be taking my car for servicing hundreds of miles away from home again? No. As I said, cautionary tale.

This isnt a cautionary tale in all fairness most normal people wouldnt drive hundreds of miles and incur the residual costs of doing this for a regular service thus negating any savings.

Not trying to insult you i just dont understand how any blame can be attached to the garage as a cautionary tale? You chose to drive up there and obviously the work done was high quality as they uncovered some major issues, anything after that is your decision to leave the car for the repairs.

Ash.J.Williams

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Maybe you should read the lines themselves. The car went up for a standard service. The items that were eventually replaced were anything other than routine, we were unaware of any issues and there were no symptoms of any impending problems.

Once again, the garage may have been 100%, they may not, will I be taking my car for servicing hundreds of miles away from home again? No. As I said, cautionary tale.

I think you have unfairly dragged 6 counties into this. You basically f** up by bringing a car somewhere unfamiliar and out of your comfort zone. You should have got the routine service and got out of there and found a mechanic that comes recommended by a reliable friend. What happened to you could happen to me if I brought a car to a stranger in Offally or Tipp or kerry...
My engine light came on last night, that means i will definitely not be going to a stranger, it's going to a man who works from his house in my parents locality, if he rips me off the whole village will know and he will not get work. Find a mechanic that someone you know/work with trusts and recommends and do not tar such a wide area with one brush.

Stevie Dakota

Jaysoose wrote: »

This isnt a cautionary tale in all fairness most normal people wouldnt drive hundreds of miles and incur the residual costs of doing this for a regular service thus negating any savings.

I think you are wrong there. There are a LOT of people going up North for servicing, it's become a real revenue stream for garages there and is frequently mentioned here.

I don't want to go into the details of the work done, if I did I am sure some eyebrows would be raised.

I accept the thread post may be misleading in that this situation could apply to any service carried far from home, but it was up North for us and a lot of people take there cars there as opposed to Cork, Galway or anywhere else.

And if you are presented with a big repair, what do you do, take them at their word or make other plans, and just what would those plans be if you're told the car is unsafe to drive?

Ash.J.Williams

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I think you are wrong there. There are a LOT of people going up North for servicing, it's become a real revenue stream for garages there and is frequently mentioned here.

I don't want to go into the details of the work done, if I did I am sure some eyebrows would be raised.

I accept the thread post may be misleading in that this situation could apply to any service carried far from home, but it was up North for us and a lot of people take there cars there as opposed to Cork, Galway or anywhere else.

And if you are presented with a big repair, what do you do, take them at their word or make other plans, and just what would those plans be if you're told the car is unsafe to drive?

If i was faced with a 2000 quid bill, i would hire a car transporter and get the car home. 2-300 quid max. With the intention that I can save money getting the work done locally.
A mechanic is like an oilly GP, if you broke your finger in belfast, you would get it fixed in belfast, if by chance they found cancer, you would go home and get it looked at elsewhere.

Seth Brundle

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

And if you are presented with a big repair, what do you do, take them at their word or make other plans, and just what would those plans be if you're told the car is unsafe to drive?

No. I'd take photos and get second opinions from other (nearer) mechanics to see if they would agree with the original diagnosis.
You should have done this. Oh wait!

Stevie Dakota

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

You should have got the routine service and got out of there

Not possible, was told that the car might breakdown any minute.

Stevie Dakota

kbannon wrote: »

I would indeed but that wasn't the ase with the mechanic you used.

Not the mechanic, but same group under the same management. And I've since heard enough stories never to use them again.

Liamario

Serious question...
Why hasn't this thread been locked yet?
It really is a non starter and the OP's point is vague at best.

mickdw

To be honest, you are now making it sound like you know you made a mistake in allowing the work to be done as you dont wish to say what this work was.

IMO, seeing as you were happily driving the car with issues to report, we can assume the repairs are not related to running gear as such.
There are only a few things I can think of that would make a seemingly perfect car unfit to drive, one of them being dodgy brake lines or perhaps balljoints etc
Given the repair quote, Id assume it was one major repair task, possibly a gasket of some sort.
This leads me to guess that you were perhaps shown some oil/fluid seepage around the engine bay & informed that it was unsafe to drive. If so, it is highly likely you have been conned.

-Corkie-

I find it awfully unusual that the op wont tell us:

*What sort of a car was it.

*What was wrong with the car.

*What parts were needed.

*How much labour was he charged.

Stevie Dakota

OK, OK, here you go!

Car goes on for a routine service.

Get a call saying there is fluid leaking from the bell housing.
Return to the garage, have a look, sure enough fluid underside of bell housing.
Diagnosis, slave cylinder failing, need new slave cylinder and clutch (contaminated). Car unsafe to drive, with family so that is that. No symptoms prior, clutch pedal not going to floor, car seemed fine.

Left car with them and collected a few days later - €800 (its a big enough job)

Noticed clutch not returning to normal rest position, not properly bled, arranged to return car. On the way notice a new 'whining' sound on the motorway that went away when the clutch was depressed.

Had to leave the car with them and return home.

Get call later next day, fluid leaking from gearbox, hole in bell housing, car undriveable. Needs new gearbox. Didn't they just take the gearbox out a few days earlier? I ask for photos and sure enough, tear in bell housing from where the diff is eating into it. Could be a coincidence or could it be that when re-assembling the drivetrain they did something wrong? Could the original leaking fluid from the slave cylinder actually have been from the hole in the gearbox? They deny this and my independent advice is that it would be impossible for me to prove it. After threatening to collect the car (gearbox here was €800) the price drops form £1400 to £800.

There you go. I do repeat, everything could be genuine and I could have just been very unlucky, draw your own conclusions.

And once again, based in this experience I will be getting me car looked after more locally from now on.

-Corkie-

SARASON wrote: »

I find it awfully unusual that the op wont tell us:

*What sort of a car was it.

*What was wrong with the car.

*What parts were needed.

*How much labour was he charged.

You didnt answer all my questions :P

opinion guy

Yeah Sarason me wonders what motives are behind this thread.

OP are you by any chance a southern based mechanic or dealer ?

Stevie Dakota

SARASON wrote: »

You didnt answer all my questions :P

What does it matter? 4 years old and 50K.

djimi

You took a chance going up North to get your car serviced. It took longer than expected. Surely thats the risk in going up North, no? I really dont see what the problem is here.

Stevie Dakota

opinion guy wrote: »

Yeah Sarason me wonders what motives are behind this thread.

OP are you by any chance a southern based mechanic or dealer ?

No, far from it. And I've bought 3 UK cars so have no qualms about seeking out the best deal.

-Corkie-

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

What does it matter? 4 years old and 50K.

It makes a massive difference. Could be a 06 S class or a 06 Punto..

mickdw

So I wasnt a million miles away re being shown some fluid leak & told its serious.

Anyway, from your description, I would assume that either:

1/ wrong diagnosis to start with re the slave cylinder meaning £800 bill for nothing
or
2/ they damaged something casuing the second problem.

Either way, you shouldnt have been paying for the 2 jobs IMO.

If the housing was damaged, did they not see this when fitting new clutch?
Im also assuming this car has an internal slave cylinder as if its outside, well its a complete different level of scam.
(an alfa dealer once quoted me 700 to 800 with 4 hours labour to change a slave cylinder that is outside & eventually did myself in half hour.)

Stevie Dakota

SARASON wrote: »

Could be a 06 S class

Not with a clutch it couldn't.

-Corkie-

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

Not with a clutch it couldn't.

You know what i meant...:D

BrianD3

I'd say one reason he hasn't posted the make is, if it is what I think it is, the thread will turn into a gloatfest with know-nothings saying "dem yokes are dirt anyway".

The make is irrelevant anyway, the problem has been described and it does sound like the garage either misdiagnosed or caused the problem. This could happen with any garage, I think it is a bit paranoid to suggest that something dodgy happened because you were far from home. Personally I think most poor service in the motor trade is down to lack of competence/organisation rather than lack of honesty.

mickdw

Its a megane dci I see(from previous posts about the clutch problem).

PaulKK

mickdw wrote: »

Its a megane dci I see(from previous posts about the clutch problem).

Yup and also the OP was asking about gearbox and clutch specialists in Dublin a couple of weeks ago.

Joey the lips

Why cant option B happen... That is take a car to a garage here. If your given a price that you consider disgraceful ask them what exactly they are doing. Then phone a northern dealer and ask them if they are cheaper.

Stevie Dakota

BrianD3 wrote: »

I think it is a bit paranoid to suggest that something dodgy happened because you were far from home.

I didn't happen because I was far from home, but it made it a great deal more difficult to resolve. Next time my bad luck strikes I'll make sure I'm nearer home!

Stevie Dakota

mickdw wrote: »

Its a megane dci I see(from previous posts about the clutch problem).

Yes it is. You can see why I wanted to keep that out of the debate, it was heated enough.

johnos1984

PaulKK wrote: »

Yup and also the OP was asking about gearbox and clutch specialists in Dublin a couple of weeks ago.

Was this inquiry made before or after going north???

Did a mechanic down south tell you what was wrong but you choose to go for the cheaper option up north?