Should you trust your dealer with your car? I don't!

[SC03OTT]

My car came back from the dealership with a deep scratch on the front bumper. There was no point in complaining though as i had no proof that they had done it. At least the OP had video footage to prove what happened.

Does your dealer not do a walk round with you before and after the work is completed?

[Spudey]

When my vRS went in to the dealer for a warranty replacement I unplugged my cam.

I got it to provide evidence if needed during an accident while I was driving. I have no interest on trying to catch out some mechanic trying to do his job.

I know there have been some cases of mistreatment caught on dashcams but If I can't trust the dealer with my motor then who can I trust to repair and service it.

Had a chat about the cam to the sales guy who took it in he seemed quite interested in how it worked and how I had already caught someone reversing into me in the street. He knew it was turned off.

My car was also returned 50 miles to my home with a 55mpg average and a topped up tank of fuel, so no reason to suspect any mistreatment or to spy on them in future.

[skovirg]

Compare and contrast... I know who'd get the better treatment from me. Sometimes I think you just have to trust the professionals.

 

 

Last week I dropped off my car at the dealers for some investigation work on it cutting out whilst driving.  The dealer was instructed under no circumstances was the dash cam to be unplugged or the memory card removed............

 

 

 

When my vRS went in to the dealer for a warranty replacement I unplugged my cam.

I got it to provide evidence if needed during an accident while I was driving. I have no interest on trying to catch out some mechanic trying to do his job.

 

[Guest]

Compare and contrast... I know who'd get the better treatment from me. Sometimes I think you just have to trust the professionals.

I installed my camera system for evidential purposes incase I was involved in an RTC. Whenever I take my car in for servicing I provide the servicing desk with a printed copy of the work to be carried out and stating I have a tracker and camera system fitted, and not to clean my vehicle. I also leave a copy in the vehicle for the mechanic. Due to the waterpump failing two days after I had it replaced along with the cambelt, I looked at the in car footage;

not only did they wash my vehicle before any work had been carried out, they also washed it with a brush. However, the vehicle was not washed upon completion of the cambelt and waterpump replacement.

the mechanic drove through a red light, even though he had plenty of time to stop,

even though all the work was in the engine bay, the mechanic went into the boot on two occasions,

on the test drive the mechanic was revving the nuts off my vehicle,

the final thing was the garage stated replacing the cambelt and waterpump was a two day job, yet according to the in car cameras and tracker, they completed the work the same day I dropped the vehicle off, and I was not informed they vehicle was ready until 19 hours after they had parked it up.

I sent a letter of complaint to the dealer principle whose bottom line was you can continue to use us or you can go elsewhere. It stated in his letter that he appreciates it when someone takes the time to contact him when they are dissatisfied with the dealership. He took my complaint that seriously, he had someone else pp his response to me. This was the same dealership that took 3 services and an MoT to establish my DMF was buggered; the symptoms the Master Tech experienced to come up with the diagnosis were present from day one of ownership. This was also the same dealership that tried to charge me £264 for AutoGlym High Definition Wax as the Parts Department said I could only buy them in boxes of four.

Yeah, I see where you are coming from.

[seve88]

Mmmmm - I'm due a service in 2k, any one recommend a trustworthy dealership in the North West?

 

And don't mention Simpsons or I will fall off of my chair laughing - the only dealership I have heard of let a Fabia vRS owner drive off with no oil at all in the engine when it had been in for diagnosis of high oil consumption!

it's asking a lot to find a trustworthy dealer anywhere 

the only way to know that service has been done properly or even done at all,  is too diy

 

some people even stamp the service book themselves afterwords though  :no:

 

in god we trust, everyone else must pay cash    ,    but check for counterfeit notes  

Edited 1 May, 2015 by seve88

[Pumatron]

After working in dealerships for 13 years on the work shop floor I can honestly say I would not trust any of them.

My service last year just backs up my statement as my Octavia was damaged during the service. I informed them of my camera which was noted on the job card. After picking the car up I washed it as I requested no service wash and found a large deep scratch across my boot spoiler.

I immediately quizzed the dealer and drove over to them. The dealer denied all knowledge but agreed to put it right.

I decided to download my rear camera footage to see if I could find out when it was done.

It showed the technician doing the damage, then trying to wipe it over with his grubby shirt. To be fair he did go and get the service advisor, they then stood pondering over the damage, the techs then had a good laugh about it afterwards. When I dropped the car off for repair I asked the service advisor if he knew how it was done but he chose to lie again. I then showed him the camera footage and all hell broke loose as I do NOT like being lied to.

So ask me will I be unplugging my cameras next time it is in for service? No not bloomin likely.

Oh and to top it off the car then developed an oil leak as they fitted the wrong washer on the sump plug.

I'm really looking forward to this years service.

[Geek42]

The first service on my Octy last year was the first main dealer franchise that has serviced a vehicle of mine for...oh, I don't know...let's say at least 12 years. I usually use a guy that I know, he's a very good friend of a very good friend and whilst it would be a stretch to call him my friend directly I know him well enough and we have supped beer at the same table on several occasions. I trust him completely, and he has even helped me out for free with arguing a warranty claim with Ford some years ago.

 

Last year I took my Octy to Skoda because the price was pretty good, only £10 extra, there's always the draw of having a manufacturer stamp during the warranty period and I was really unsure about this whole "inspection" thing - I assume that my indy guy has access to the right service info but the lack of a published interval for plugs/air filters etc. made it all seem a bit opaque at the time, so I went with the safe option.

 

Having read all this I think I'll be giving him a ring later this year!...

[cortina63]

Mmmmm - I'm due a service in 2k, any one recommend a trustworthy dealership in the North West?

And don't mention Simpsons or I will fall off of my chair laughing - the only dealership I have heard of let a Fabia vRS owner drive off with no oil at all in the engine when it had been in for diagnosis of high oil consumption!

dAvid ian in morecambe, they wont rip you off, you and your car will get treated with respect

[Warkman]

Dealerships and technicians looking after your car when in their hands for repairs/servicing etc have a duty of care over your property. To exceed the posted speed limit is not only against that duty of care it is a road traffic offence, punishable by fine and points on that technicians licence.

The position of having a working dash cam within the vehicle is the owner of the vehicle's property and if the dealership accepts the vehicle with that cam operating, they have, in law accepted the vehicle into their trust as is. If they did not wish to accept the vehicle with a working dash cam, then it's the owner of the vehicle to decide if they want to carry on with the service with the cam turned off, it take it somewhere else for servicing.

As for the technician taking photographs of the car, well, that is perfectly acceptable unless when ganging the car over, the owner directed otherwise.

[flybynite]

Don't get me started on dealerships! It bothers me that a car is always worth more when sold with a FMDSH when in reality it is often better off with a good indi specialist or just DIY.

 

One thing really gets me is when I have been charged for something that has not been done or used. Happened more times than I can count. Tend to mark bits on the car now if they are easy to get to, surprising (or not) how many times they are still there when I get the car back.

 

Did a walkaround before and after but missed the fact that they had shut the door on something, bent the sill and door bottom, only visible when the door is wide open. Note to self look harder.

 

Top of the range had rubber inserts in the coin trays, mine were there before service, missing after. One red-faced tech's base model proudly sporting rubber coin-tray inserts. Fun watching them try and get out of that one.

 

Although I have the kit and the wherewithall to bleed brakes I had neither the time nor the inclination when they hassled me for a fluid change on the runabout's last service. Changing the winters a couple of days later it was evident the bleed nipples had not been touched. Phone call to the stealers and the tech admitted he did not want to touch it because bleed nipples looked stuck. They still charged me for fluid and labour and left me with the impression I had new fluid. Money refunded but all trust lost. Squirt of WD40 and a half hour job and I did it myself. Another note to self.

 

I could go on but I'm feeling merciful 

[back1980]

Agreed - but did they find and fix the issue?

No they didn't find and fix the issue as in the 4 miles they drove they knew they wouldn't be able to. They also told myself and SUK that they extensively tested my car which they obviously didn't. That's what annoyed me and made me check the camera footage in the first place.

[back1980]

Having spent the best part of a decade working at main dealers, there most definitely is

Agreed because I have to. As you'll be more than aware speeding in a customers car or should that be getting caught is a big no no, I've seen a few technicians fall foul of this before.

[Gizmo]

I had a similar experience when my Superb went in for warranty work, yes they went over the speed limit slightly (no big deal as it was all done safely and not being thrashed) what I did have an issue with was the traffic light that had been on RED for about 3 seconds before he decided to go through it!!

[ufitsy]

you can thrast the tits off a new car from cold, the ecu wont let you do anything that will damage the car.

 

If I drop it into second at 90 the ecu will have a choice?

[flybynite]

you can thrast the tits off a new car from cold, the ecu wont let you do anything that will damage the car.

Modern oils will probably do more for you than the ECU will ever do in that situation, but if you genuinely believe that I pity the person that buys your car!

[hod]

If I drop it into second at 90 the ecu will have a choice?

It's dsg won't let me.

[timbris93]

Does your dealer not do a walk round with you before and after the work is completed?

 

Sorry, haven't logged in for a while. in response to your question, no, but they really should. There's only one dealership that i am aware of in my entire city, and they know it (and act like it too). As soon as the sale had been finalized i noticed a change in their attitude towards me, and lets just say that i can't wait for the waranty period to be up.

[PaulSyd]

Mmmmm - I'm due a service in 2k, any one recommend a trustworthy dealership in the North West?

 

And don't mention Simpsons or I will fall off of my chair laughing - the only dealership I have heard of let a Fabia vRS owner drive off with no oil at all in the engine when it had been in for diagnosis of high oil consumption!

RRG Bolton, Both Richard and Craig from the now closed Parkside working there

[andyvee]

RRG Bolton, Both Richard and Craig from the now closed Parkside working there

Might give that a go.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[gwm97e]

Mmmmm - I'm due a service in 2k, any one recommend a trustworthy dealership in the North West?

 

And don't mention Simpsons or I will fall off of my chair laughing - the only dealership I have heard of let a Fabia vRS owner drive off with no oil at all in the engine when it had been in for diagnosis of high oil consumption!

Mine is in for a service monday at RRG Bolton -it will be the second service they have done, and at the last one the staff on the Skoda side of the business were the guys who used to work at Parkside Skoda - hopefully I can confirm next week it is still them - I'm sure people on here who've used Parkside in the past would agree with me they know what they are doing

/edit/ - hadn't read the whole thread before replying, but there's two recommendations for you !

Edited 9 May, 2015 by gwm97e

[themanwithnoaim]

Sorry am I missing something here, if yo don't trust your dealer to work on your car, whats the warranty worth ?

[andyvee]

Let's just say I wouldn't trust certain dealers. I've had a chunk taken out of an alloy and interior trim damaged by one dealer in the North West, who will never get any business from me again.

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[gt40]

I'd be more concerned that the car was driven at those speeds without being allowed to warm up properly :S

 

80mph in 6th is what, 2,200rpm?

 

Hardly red-lining it, is it?

[Jigger72]

80mph in 6th is what, 2,200rpm?

 

Hardly red-lining it, is it?

 

Was it in 6th?

[gt40]

Was it in 6th?

Maybe yes, maybe no.