The wife dropped her Mini One off for a service yesterday at the local BMW/Mini dealer. It also needed it's first MOT inspection, which she had booked in about 2 weeks ago, alongside the service.

The last service was carried out 2 years ago, but she doesn't do a lot of miles, so the we go off the inspection milage counter (similiar to current BMW's).

She dropped it off at 8.30am & she was told that the car will be ready for 3pm. About 12.15pm she got a phone call from the dealer to say that they couldn't do the MOT inspection until later & it will be ready for 4.30pm but they will give her a ring when it's ready.

4.30pm came around & no phone call, so she decided to make her way to the dealer. She got there for 5pm & it wasn't finished!

She asked why it was taking so long & the answer was....................... BMW customers get priority over Mini customers! WTF!!!

She also found out that they hadn't changed the brake fluid but it needs changing & can't do it until after 29th Nov! :eek: Erm, the Inspection service includes a brake fluid change if the brake fluid indicator is showing (which it was). WTF are they playing at?

I've got a feeling that she was getting pushed to the back of the queue because she took the 5 years servicing pack when she bought the car. Paying customers were getting priority. :thumbdwn:

The dealer in question is not far from where I work, so I'm going to have a word with the service manager today & express my feelings.

Just had a word with service manager & re-arranged the brake fluid change for next Wed.

A bit of gentle persuasion doesn't do any harm!

Apparently, the Mini & BMW showrooms are now entirely separate but servicing is done in the same workshop! Hmmmmmm..............I spy a bottle-kneck! :(

A friend of mine took her mini one for a service recently and was told that all 4 brake disks needed changing along with the pads. She didn't book it in then but decided to get an independent opinion.

She had the wheels off last night to check this and the back disks are fine , so another friend is doing the work for her at a fraction of the BMW cost.

Apparently, the Mini & BMW showrooms are now entirely separate but servicing is done in the same workshop! Hmmmmmm..............I spy a bottle-kneck! :(

Same with quite a few smart/Merc dealers now. I'm sure you can guess who gets priority...

Rob.

I can guess which dealer you are referring to!

When I had my E36 BMW M3, it was booked in for an MOT and they ended up sending down the road to the Vauxhall dealer to get done. When I got it back, let's just say I suspect that they enjoyed the MOT experience more than I did!! No proof apart from how much fuel had disappeared!! :thumbdwn:

I can guess which dealer you are referring to!

When I had my E36 BMW M3' date=' it was booked in for an MOT and they ended up sending down the road to the Vauxhall dealer to get done. When I got it back, let's just say I suspect that they enjoyed the MOT experience more than I did!! No proof apart from how much fuel had disappeared!! :thumbdwn:[/quote']

Yep, Preston Hall.

Those 2 dealers aren't that far apart. They must have taken it the long way round via Yarm!

Same with quite a few smart/Merc dealers now. I'm sure you can guess who gets priority...

Rob.

Yeah, I've heard that too.

Funnily enough there is a Merc/Smart/Chrysler dealer across the road from the BMW/Mini dealer.

When I had a Merc back in '97 it went in for a service at the above dealer and they scratched my car!! Had to get the wing re-sprayed at thier expenses of coarse!

Just shows that you don't neccesarily get what you pay for!

My wifes got a mini and the service is rubbish. It was damaged by a rock and was fixed in the BMW service centre they took forever and it had overspray and trim loose. I think they give preference to BMW owners as I can't see anyone who has spent 30 thousand on a BMW putting up with such crap service!

A mate of mine at work has an old M5, 96 I think and he pays for a BMW warranty (about

She dropped it off at 8.30am & she was told that the car will be ready for 3pm.

How about waiting 6 to 8 weeks for an MOT and then watching 2 expert government trained mechanics use state of the art technology to test and inpect every inch of your car for 30 minutes and then tell you how unsafe it is!

One of the many wonderful aspects of living in Northern Ireland.

Rant over

How about waiting 6 to 8 weeks for an MOT and then watching 2 expert government trained mechanics use state of the art technology to test and inpect every inch of your car for 30 minutes and then tell you how unsafe it is!

One of the many wonderful aspects of living in Northern Ireland.

Rant over

My parents live in Southern Ireland & they told me that the MOT appointment is pre-arranged for you by the government & you better how a damn good excuse if you can't make it to the appointment!

I don't know the details of what the inspection involves.

They also have to display details of their insurance alongside the road tax disc, which I think is a good idea.

My parents live in Southern Ireland & they told me that the MOT appointment is pre-arranged for you by the government & you better how a damn good excuse if you can't make it to the appointment!

I don't know the details of what the inspection involves.

They also have to display details of their insurance alongside the road tax disc' date=' which I think is a good idea.[/quote']

Yeah i've noticed the MOT disc on the cars down there now. The pre-arranged govt MOT seems a bit harsh but you should have seen the piles of crap some people were driving around in down there a couple of years back. I heard of and saw Corolla diesels (smoke machines) with upwards of 250k on them and bald tyres. You also used to be able to drive around alone with L plates on a provisional license at 17. Not sure if that has changed too.