Advance pitstop found issues my usual garage didn't. Questionable?

foxy_j

So I went to my usual garage yesterday for a service and pre nct check as I had a half day off work.

I trust them even though it's inconvenient as I have to hang around a couple hours

They said all I needed new brake pads and discs but would need to book it in another day (they took off my hubcaps for me without needing to ask). I decided as I knew what needed to be done i'd get a quote for advance pitstop by my work so I could get done while in work and not waste another afternoon.

Well I picked up my car today from AP and they said they found a few issues that my own garage should have mentioned but they weren't urgent

Now I forgot to mention to the guy I was dealing with about the nct next week. After i got my receipt I had a look and asked the other guy there was there anything on the list going to fail an nct.
He said yes the 'passenger cv boot leaking' would.

Now i don't know what to make of this info?? Are they just looking for stuff for me to get fixed?

Toyotafanboi

Every garage has an interest in upsell but some mechanics are better than others. "Your guy" may not have spotted them or may have checked them and deemed them fine, the AP mechanic could be overly fussy/ cautious and mentioned things that may not be necessary or vice versa.

That said, a leaking CV boot should be an NCT fail, if the tester spots it.

The best pre NCT test is the NCT test itself. Send it in and fix what they say. Pre tests only really serve to waste your time and money and cause confusion in most cases. To prepare for an NCT just get your headlights focused, check your bulbs, top up tour oil and coolant and send the car in.

Del2005

foxy_j wrote: »

So I went to my usual garage yesterday for a service and pre nct check as I had a half day off work.

I trust them even though it's inconvenient as I have to hang around a couple hours

They said all I needed new brake pads and discs but would need to book it in another day (they took off my hubcaps for me without needing to ask). I decided as I knew what needed to be done i'd get a quote for advance pitstop by my work so I could get done while in work and not waste another afternoon.

Well I picked up my car today from AP and they said they found a few issues that my own garage should have mentioned but they weren't urgent

Now I forgot to mention to the guy I was dealing with about the nct next week. After i got my receipt I had a look and asked the other guy there was there anything on the list going to fail an nct.
He said yes the 'passenger cv boot leaking' would.

Now i don't know what to make of this info?? Are they just looking for stuff for me to get fixed?

Advance Pitstop could find issues with a brand new car.

Did you ask your normal mechanic if he checked the CV boots?

bazz26

A pre NCT check is just a license to print money imo. It still doesn't guarantee the car will pass. As said, the best pre NCT check is the NCT itself. Let the NCT tell you what it fails on and then get it sorted for the retest.

chicorytip

bazz26 wrote:

A pre NCT check is just a license to print money imo. It still doesn't guarantee the car will pass. As said, the best pre NCT check is the NCT itself. Let the NCT tell you what it fails on and then get it sorted for the retest.

If your mechanic is competent and trustworthy it would be sensible to get a check done before the test. You would avoid the cost of a retest irrespective of any repairs that may need to carried out. Many garages offer the pre-test itself free of charge.

foxy_j

Thanks for the replies

I needed a service anyway and also told my usual garage I had my nct next week and to do a pre nct check for me which they said they did.

Even took off my hub caps without me asking. My own garage was closed when I picked up my car from advance today. I'll ring/ call into my usual garage tomorrow and ask them.

Bit awkward though as i'm still booked in with them to do my brakes on Friday (that I must cancel) and I probably should have just kept it even though inconvenient as after work and have to hang around while they're doing it.

racso1975

I think AP are brutal. They quoted me 2200 last year for a whole new exhaust system prob about the same value as the car. Mechanic fixed it for 100 quid and it's been fine since.

James_R

I was about to call Advance Dundrum to get them to replace some damaged/broken Silencer and Exhaust mountings that failed the NCT on my Prius but after reading this thread I'm not so sure. Anyone recommend a decent garage/mechanic around Southside area? I'd appreciate a PM.

power pants

chicorytip wrote: »

If your mechanic is competent and trustworthy it would be sensible to get a check done before the test. You would avoid the cost of a retest irrespective of any repairs that may need to carried out. Many garages offer the pre-test itself free of charge.

g


Out of the cars that avail the free pre nct, how many encounter a scenario like this :

Everything fine. Bye

Not many I would guess

Del2005

chicorytip wrote: »

If your mechanic is competent and trustworthy it would be sensible to get a check done before the test. You would avoid the cost of a retest irrespective of any repairs that may need to carried out. Many garages offer the pre-test itself free of charge.

Anybody can do the basic checks before the NCT.

James_R wrote: »

I was about to call Advance Dundrum to get them to replace some damaged/broken Silencer and Exhaust mountings that failed the NCT on my Prius but after reading this thread I'm not so sure. Anyone recommend a decent garage/mechanic around Southside area? I'd appreciate a PM.

They are fine once you avoid the up selling. Once they have a good price on the exhaust they are grand. Don't get any other work done by them.

biko

Instead of wasting money on pre-nct checks, just fix anything obvious (blown bulbs etc) and put it through the test.

You can also use this list to check the most obvious
https://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/pass-your-nct/

Doctors room ghost

racso1975 wrote: »

I think AP are brutal. They quoted me 2200 last year for a whole new exhaust system prob about the same value as the car. Mechanic fixed it for 100 quid and it's been fine since.

I know a lad who had a back box fixed there.he said the welds were like birds sh1te and it was blowing again after a week.not shy on charging though

foxy_j

Del2005 wrote: »

Advance Pitstop could find issues with a brand new car.

Did you ask your normal mechanic if he checked the CV boots?

I'll ask them when I call in later. Do they usually check these during a service do you know?

He only did a visual pre check for me, lights, oil, take off hubcaps etc.

Del2005

foxy_j wrote: »

I'll ask them when I call in later. Do they usually check these during a service do you know?

He only did a visual pre check for me, lights, oil, take off hubcaps etc.

It depends on the "service". An oil and filter they usually wouldn't check too much other than easily visual items. A proper service it should be checked but very few proper services are done in this country, as it'd require the use of a ramp and very few cars are serviced on a ramp.

dr.fuzzenstein

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

I know a lad who had a back box fixed there.he said the welds were like birds sh1te and it was blowing again after a week.not shy on charging though

I doubt AP would offer to weld a backbox. They want to sell shiny new ones, not bodge up some cruddy old piece of rust.

chicorytip

power pants wrote:

Out of the cars that avail the free pre nct, how many encounter a scenario like this :

power pants wrote:

Everything fine. Bye

power pants wrote:

Not many I would guess

You are probably right but at least you stand far less chance of being ripped off by your regular mechanic and charged for unneccessary repairs.

Doctors room ghost

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

I doubt AP would offer to weld a backbox. They want to sell shiny new ones, not bodge up some cruddy old piece of rust.

I didn’t see it but the lad said it was a new back box they fitted with bad spot welds and a can of gun gum that didn’t do the week

foxy_j

Thanks to whoever corrected the spelling of questionable in the title

Was bothering me and I couldn't edit it

fancy pigeon

racso1975 wrote: »

I think AP are brutal. They quoted me 2200 last year for a whole new exhaust system prob about the same value as the car. Mechanic fixed it for 100 quid and it's been fine since.

In my teen days days, I once rang AP (off the house landline, that's how far back!) for a backbox price (it had broke in front of the silencer). They were adamant they needed to see the car to give me a price. I kept repeating there was nothing special about the car and just wanted a price. No no, you need to bring it in etc etc. This went on for a few minutes

My patience eventually ran out and I banged the phone down, after saying something down the phone like "ah listen, shove the exhaust up your arse"

I ended up welding it up and it lasted the duration I had the car on the road

I think I'd be a bit more polite these days!

rgodard80a

I used to get my car serviced in Advance Pitstop, just because it was relatively handy where i worked.

It always seemed expensive, but in fairness the car drove well out of the shop.


But wouldn't really recommend them as first choice.
One time I asked them to check the parking brake before an nct, and they tightened it so much that it failed the NCT. It was too tight and partially on while driving.


Go to a proper garage, not a bunch of tyre fitters.

terrydel

AP on Cromwellsfort Road I find grand. I've only ever had bulbs and pads done, and puncture repair, but on one occasion he didnt even charge for a bulb.
The guy there seems an honest fella.

soundman45

I left a car into main dealer for service and got quote for almost €3000 worth of work they said it needed. This is despite the fact car is serviced every 15k without fail and my mechanic knows he can do any extra jobs needed as I keep the car in tip top shape. Article in this week's indo about main dealer who serviced a car twice on a 75 ur old customer at cost of 770 despite car having 2 years service interval all usual crap of changing wipers on it etc to bump up price.

raxy

I went to Ap for a service before & mentioned a bit of an oil leak.
They told me I'd have to get the head replaced & even took me out to show me fresh oil where it was leaking.
I told them to work out the price for me but that I'd also be going to my regular garage to get it checked.
I never got a call back but my regular garage fixed a leaking cam shaft valve that fixed the leak for less than 200.

Another similar garage told me I'd have to replace the fly wheel costing ~1000 that also didn't need to be done.

James_R

Popped over to Toyota with my Prius yesterday to see if they had the mounts/brackets. Turns out the mounts that are part of the exhaust have rusted and broken off in two places. The guy said I'd have to replace from the centre of the exhaust system all the way back!! Nooooooooooo.

Would this be cheaper to get parts and fixed somewhere else? (Still waiting on parts price from Toyota).

soundman45

James_R wrote: »

Popped over to Toyota with my Prius yesterday to see if they had the mounts/brackets. Turns out the mounts that are part of the exhaust have rusted and broken off in two places. The guy said I'd have to replace from the centre of the exhaust system all the way back!! Nooooooooooo.

Would this be cheaper to get parts and fixed somewhere else? (Still waiting on parts price from Toyota).

My main dealer was toyota also. Pair of rear bushings 54euro for parts 700 euro fitted. Mad stuff.