Fast Fit quote for 05 nissan micra

ene

i just brought my car done for the free pre nct test in donneybrook fast fit.

i was told i need 2 new tyres
new windscreen wipers
my handbrake needs fixing- apparently the car still moves when its on
a new bulb for something
and wheel and light alignment

i was quoted 250 for this job

i was wondering is this a good quote? for my last nct i replaced the 2 front tyres so i dont know if i really need new ones

any advice would be great

ene

woody33

Two tyres might cost €100 or so, wiper blades €10 each. It shouldn't cost much to adjust the back brakes, but if cables or something are needed that would cost more. I'm told brake cables for my wee polo are maybe €20 each. Wheel and light alignment I'm not sure what the going rate is. Someone else might have better info, good luck.

seanmacc

Fast Fit should come with a health warning in my experience. They don't necessarily have fully qualified mechanics working there all the time. In one of there braches I had a young lad trying to persuade me that I needed new shocks, brake pads and brake discs, totally ignoring the fact I was in there just to get two front springs replaced and my brakes were perfect.

I told him to get the car down from there and drove it to a local mechanic down the road who didn't BS me.

Hailhail1967

Ask people in your local area, find a reputable smaller local mechanic. get the job done cheaper and probably better. Get a mechanic to do all the work for you on your cars, no matter how big or small when you find one. and these tightening things and changing bulbs will not be charged or be a probemm again.

Handbrake needs fixing is probably going to tighten a nut at the handbrake, takes 2 minutes most likely €20
Wiper takes 20 seconds €10
A bulb takes 2 minutes depending on which one €5
Wheel allignment will be probably €30 with the new tyres @€;50 each from a smaller place.
Light allignment will probably be done for free

Wouldn't pay €250, not a hope. These "fast - quick) are all convenience tops.

mickdw

If they could only manage to come up with 250 worth of repairs, id say your car is in perfect condition.
Do not take their word on what is needed.
Nct first then repair anything they say if it fails. This will only cost you 28 euro or so. Much cheaper than doing stuff that may be perfectly fine. Dont forget you can still fail after having the 250 worth of work csrried out at those clowns. Quite possibly due to poor work.

ene

would anyone be able to recomened some place to do this work for cheaper?

would tyres on a micra wear enough in 2 years?

i wouldnt drive much... about 25km a day

Merch

ene wrote: »

would anyone be able to recomened some place to do this work for cheaper?

would tyres on a micra wear enough in 2 years?

i wouldnt drive much... about 25km a day

Do the tyres look worn?
I can recommend the above, get it NCT'd then see if anything needs to be done.

Check your bulbs and tyres yourself, if you dont know, get someone to show you how, as its a good thing to know (i thought necessary) for any driver.

kevin65

When I was getting a couple of new tyres for my wife's car Fastfit told me I needed new front brake pads. I subsequently booked it in into a Toyota dealer for the work to be done (as I don't trust Fastfit) to be told they were fine. On the last occasion I was there the car was jacked on the sill flange beside the jacking point which bent the flange. Bunch of muppets:mad:

Get your car checked by proper mechanics.

ene

i would have no idea if the tyres are worn or not... what would i be looking for?

mickdw

The thread depth should be 1.6mm at least. so the grooves on the tyre should be at least about as deep as a matchstick lying down.
Any areas completely bald etc would mean replace regardless

Merch

get a a tread depth tool and measure the tread depth, failing that a tea spoon, using the tip of the handle lean (gently) on the deepest part (eg the valley) of the tread, use your thumbnail to mark the depth at the highest point, and measure this distance straight away (in case your thumb moves). With experience you could judge when the wear is not ok.

If it is less than 1.6mm that will be a fail
Ideally you would want more than that, preferably at least 3mm.

ensure the visible portion of the tyre has even wear, not excessive towards one side of the tyre or other or even in the centre.
Ensure there are no rips or lumps out of the tyre sidewalls, both tyres on each axle (two front or two rear) should be of the same type radial or crossply (written on sidewall) as long as they are the same, thats ok.(Same goes for the rear)

Check you have an E mark, an E inside a circle, to say it meets European standards.

Then just do the rest of the vehicle

Actually, look up the NCTS website and look at the requiremnts for the test, print it off and go over them one by one, if you want, if you dont know what something means then you wont be able to check it, just do the obvious things that you know.

Lights (bulbs), tyres etc

If thats not your thing, then either get someone ( a friend, to look for the obvious things)
Failing that, just NCT it and see what they say.

kevin65

Tyre wear is based on the tread depth. The legal minimum AFAIK is 1.6mm, but once tread depth is at around 3mm, you should look to get them changed. Tyre wear should be uniform across the tyre, and you should look for any damage to the side walls of the tyre. If you are not sure, ask around for the name of a reputable tyre shop who will check them for you.

This explains it better:
http://www.blackcircles.com/videos/information-and-advice/tyre-tread-depth-explained

Toyotafanboi

seanmacc wrote: »

Fast Fit should come with a health warning in my experience. They don't necessarily have fully qualified mechanics working there all the time. In one of there braches I had a young lad trying to persuade me that I needed new shocks, brake pads and brake discs, totally ignoring the fact I was in there just to get two front springs replaced and my brakes were perfect.

I told him to get the car down from there and drove it to a local mechanic down the road who didn't BS me.

i'd have to disagree.

i've been a repeat customer to fast fit waterford, found their service excellent, really felt like i was taken seriously in there, lads you could talk to if you know what i mean, prices were keen too.

i priced similar jobs in the advance pitstop right next door to them and was treated like a fool. asked for a premium tyre in there and i cant even remember what they offered me it was that bad. whereas fastfit next door had a variety of premium names in stock.

FridaysWell

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

i'd have to disagree.

i've been a repeat customer to fast fit waterford, found their service excellent, really felt like i was taken seriously in there, lads you could talk to if you know what i mean, prices were keen too.

i priced similar jobs in the advance pitstop right next door to them and was treated like a fool. asked for a premium tyre in there and i cant even remember what they offered me it was that bad. whereas fastfit next door had a variety of premium names in stock.

That branch in Waterford may be managed well, but one of Fast Fit's branches here in Dublin where I got some work done they are a bunch of cowboys. Treat you like a fool and their work is shoddy at best. They replaced a clutch kit for me and managed to damage one of the vacuum pipes in the engine, left half a disposable glove in a clip where the air intake meets the air filter housing thing and caused me alot of hassle and I am pretty sure my subsequent problems with my engine were caused by them.

So OP if you are in Dublin, avoid.

As people have said look for an independent mechanic and get it done cheaper and better.

Hailhail1967

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

i'd have to disagree.

i've been a repeat customer to fast fit waterford, found their service excellent, really felt like i was taken seriously in there, lads you could talk to if you know what i mean, prices were keen too.

i priced similar jobs in the advance pitstop right next door to them and was treated like a fool. asked for a premium tyre in there and i cant even remember what they offered me it was that bad. whereas fastfit next door had a variety of premium names in stock.

Well they are both as bad as each other to be fair. Of course you could hit on a good one. I lived in Waterford for 5 years. I have owned maybe 10-12 cars in that time and I have been to pretty much everyplace in town. Trust me on this, the prices are NOT "keen".

challengemaster

ene wrote: »

i would have no idea if the tyres are worn or not... what would i be looking for?

I really hate to believe people like this exist....

http://rsa.ie/en/RSA/Your-Vehicle/About-your-Vehicle/Example-of-non-Dup/Your-Vehicles-Tyres-/Tyre-Upkeep/

The Pontiac

I wouldn't recommend any of these 'fastfit' outlets to be honest. No idea why anyone would go there, when there's great indie mechanics out there, and are usually cheaper. A more personal service too.

I went into Advance Pitstop one time when my car was making a whirring sound over 50mph. They never even test drove the car, but diagnosed it was the centre-box (exhaust) that needed replacing.

Went back to my local indie and he fixed the problem. It was a wheel bearing, a much cheaper fix. Only went to Advance as I was waiting for someone and was bored. Advance Pitstop in Midleton. Either incompetent or dishonest. Either way, avoid like the plague. They should be investigated if you ask me.