Garage woes

SwordofLight

We all know when you leave your car into a garage, they have you by the proverbials, especially when English isn't a first language which limits the depth of negotiation and understanding.

I'm wondering what Boardsies thoughts are on this one.

When you leave your car in to have work done, the mechanic tells you the problem is Part A, and will cost Sum X, you ask how sure they are and seek promises it wont be more, and they assure you they are 100% about it.

Low and behold they give you the car back with the changed part after paying out Sum X and then say it might not totally fix the problem, that it might need Part B and that will cost a further Sum Y.

You take the car, thank them for their work, and drive it away. You then notice although the part has been changed, there is absolutely no change to the problem. You then realise you have zero comeback.

What would you do?

con747

Use a mechanic you can trust.

Toyotafanboi

First step would be to talk to the garage.

SwordofLight

Con I've never met a mechanic I could trust, always been issues, probably 8/10 times after visits over the years. From Dealers to back streeters.

Toyota I would think they know the problem hasn't been fixed and I'm well out of pocket because of that. All they will likely say is to try another part change. They are hardly going say oh come back and we'll put the original part back in and give you your money back because we got it wrong.

kona

Its all part of the process of troubleshooting. You coulr ask them to take apart whatever system it is and test each part until you find the fault.
Your wallet wouldnt like that however.

SwordofLight

kona wrote: »

Its all part of the process of troubleshooting. You coulr ask them to take apart whatever system it is and test each part until you find the fault.
Your wallet wouldnt like that however.

Yea, except the assurances were given initially that it was that part, otherwise wouldn't have started down the path... You're right, my wallet is cowering in the corner coming into only the second week of the new year

Toyotafanboi

I can see you point of view but i do also think you are approaching this from a negative mindset.

Cars can be comlplicated to repair, particularly as they age or if they aren't regularly serviced.

I would still say talk to the people who done the work. If you take it somewhere else, they are staring in the dark again and may replace yet even more stuff you don't need. At least the first guy is well on his way.

What is the car and what is the problem?

kadman

The only mechanic i trust is me, or a close family member. No one else.

And if you happen to be a woman, god help you, you will be a lamb to the slaughter.

And I personally have no faith in laptop mechanics. Computer says no.....

I prefer old school, modern day motors with numerous electrics are a minefield, and expensive to pinpoint and fix.
Even a specific diagnostic specialist will gasp in horror if you mention an intermittment electrical fault. Its the hardest to pinpoint,
and its this area where you will be required to replace numerous items to finally say exactly where the problem is.

Bmw123d

kadman wrote: »

The only mechanic i trust is me, or a close family member. No one else.

And if you happen to be a woman, god help you, you will be a lamb to the slaughter.

And I personally have no faith in laptop mechanics. Computer says no.....

I prefer old school, modern day motors with numerous electrics are a minefield, and expensive to pinpoint and fix.
Even a specific diagnostic specialist will gasp in horror if you mention an intermittment electrical fault. Its the hardest to pinpoint,
and its this area where you will be required to replace numerous items to finally say exactly where the problem is.

Granted there are a lot of laptop mechanics out there as u call them and the fault will read say something along the lines of air mass meter etc.
So a in experienced mechanic will change the air mass where as the experienced mechanic will reliese it could be something causing the air mass meter to read in correct.

Generally I stick to the one brand but we do two brands but for myself I try stick to the one car brand. There for I’m not saying I know everything. But u can be damn sure I know the brand inside out.
But even still there might end up needing 1 2 maybe 3 parts need changing in order to correct and fix the problem.

kona

SwordofLight wrote: »

Yea, except the assurances were given initially that it was that part, otherwise wouldn't have started down the path... You're right, my wallet is cowering in the corner coming into only the second week of the new year

Well if he gave assurances then thats a different matter. Unfortunately car mechanics have almost been reduced to some sort of youtube trade. It is hard to get good mechanics.
Unfortunately machines break and can be expensive to fix
, its no excuse for some lad to tell you a part will fix the car and it doesnt. If the car is giving hassle it may be cheaper to change?

Bmw123d

kona wrote: »

Well if he gave assurances then thats a different matter. Unfortunately car mechanics have almost been reduced to some sort of youtube trade. It is hard to get good mechanics.
Unfortunately machines break and can be expensive to fix
, its no excuse for some lad to tell you a part will fix the car and it doesnt. If the car is giving hassle it may be cheaper to change?

I always wonder why people say this. If it’s giving hassle it may be cheaper to change.


Sometimes once you fix the problem that should be it and once regular maintenance you are good to go.

I always think the devil u know. Is better the devil you don’t know.

When u put afew pound into a car it’s better u know what you have then what your buying apart from maybe buying a brand new car. And just mayb not everyone is in a position to do that.

Anyway back on track if ya name the car and the problem you are having I might be able to help you further. Or I’m sure if it’s not a brand I know one of the other guys might no.
Just a tought.

Dirty Nails

Bmw123d wrote: »

Anyway back on track if ya name the car and the problem you are having

Surely naming the car & giving the problem would defeat having a good whine about mechanics ???

kona

Bmw123d wrote: »

I always wonder why people say this. If it’s giving hassle it may be cheaper to change.


Sometimes once you fix the problem that should be it and once regular maintenance you are good to go.

I always think the devil u know. Is better the devil you don’t know.

When u put afew pound into a car it’s better u know what you have then what your buying apart from maybe buying a brand new car. And just mayb not everyone is in a position to do that.

Anyway back on track if ya name the car and the problem you are having I might be able to help you further. Or I’m sure if it’s not a brand I know one of the other guys might no.
Just a tought.

Well the op seems to be having consistent problems with the car. It could be a lemon.
Cheaper to change it than do a weekly chase some garage around to change their random part of the week. Who knows he might even have a few quid profit.

SwordofLight

Thanks for all the replies.

I posted really to see if there is anything I can do, which is clearly a no.. there's obviously no regulatory body to police them.

The car was left with the garage for a week to assess the problem before giving me the assurances... There's obviously nothing I can do now but give it back to the guy to try something else, I'll have to make it clear there is a budget!

kadman

Bmw123d wrote: »

Granted there are a lot of laptop mechanics out there as u call them and the fault will read say something along the lines of air mass meter etc.
So a in experienced mechanic will change the air mass where as the experienced mechanic will reliese it could be something causing the air mass meter to read in correct.

Generally I stick to the one brand but we do two brands but for myself I try stick to the one car brand. There for I’m not saying I know everything. But u can be damn sure I know the brand inside out.
But even still there might end up needing 1 2 maybe 3 parts need changing in order to correct and fix the problem.

Granted, true enough.
But most of the mechanics I've seen with laptops, flag the first laptop fault,
and go from there. Not bothering to delve further and investigate to see what could be causing the fault.

They get on error code, and think thats it , job done, and start replacing parts, instead of testing further. And your wallet pays the price for all these, some necessary, and some not. I have never yet seen a case whereby a laptop mechanic said" you never needed the first Item I replaced, so here is a refund"

Not to say they are all like that tho. And although I am old school mechanics, I also do my own laptop diagnostics , and fixes, on my more modern family cars.

kadman

SwordofLight wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

I posted really to see if there is anything I can do, which is clearly a no.. there's obviously no regulatory body to police them.

The car was left with the garage for a week to assess the problem before giving me the assurances... There's obviously nothing I can do now but give it back to the guy to try something else, I'll have to make it clear there is a budget!

You should post up the issues you are having, I'm sure you will get a good response here, as you have done already.

Buddy Bubs

I've never once had a problem with mechanics not doing a great job. One time years ago took a while to diagnose a problem on bmw e46 window and door regulator but apart from that, all good.

Eric Cartman

one rusted bolt or a snapped bolt could even turn a bulb replacement into a half day job on some cars. Ive had incidents before where things have been more expensive or taken longer, sometimes it makes sense. Im not going to expect a lad to drill out and re thread a hole for a broken bolt for free.

Track9

A good mechanic doesn't use your vehicle like a Guinea Pig, as in ah well it must be this other part, let's change that & see if it works.

Suggest you consider changing Mechanics, & in long term save on money & less grief.

kirving

Very easy to go on a replacement rampage when it's someone else's money funding it.

Post up details of the problem, and you'll get (mostly! :pac:) good responses on here.

firstlight

Id agree
The devil you know is better than the devil you dont know
Chuck money at another car and you could be buying more scrap
Very hard to find a decent mechanic
Whats the car
Engine?
Problem
If its an older car the forums are full of information on faults with certain models
Im not saying be a google mechanic but it might point you in the right direction