Since hitting a kerb hidden by mound of leaves a couple of weeks ago (which genius at the council decided to put a small island for a mini-roundabout in the middle of a narrow road without anything on it to warn of its presence?) my Yeti seems to be driving a bit "funny". Now this could be my usual paranoia and it's always been like this but as a precautionary measure I was going to book the car into my usual garage for a wheel alignment and wheel balance check. But it seems Kwik-Fit (and possibly others) offer a free wheel alignment/tracking check, which is tempting as there is a branch almost at the end of my road. Has anyone used this service and if so what was your experience. Am I being unfairly cynical thinking it might simply be the "special offer" to get you through the door to be sold other services ? 

I took our car to a Kwik Fit after hitting a big pothole for tracking check expecting to pay a small amount few months ago, it was out one side, they corrected it and said no charge.    Didn’t attempt to sell me anything.

 

 

I had two new front tyres fitted and they were tracked free, I drove home and within minutes realised there was something wrong.

I pulled over and phoned the KF and said I was coming back, they "checked" the tracking and declared it ok.

I was not happy and took it to another tyre company and explained the problem they lifted the car and called me over the

tracking adjustment was adjusted all on one side. They put it right, no charge and phoned KW and told them what had happened

I heard on the phone "oh no! not again" so what that was all about I never found out, I would guess that an employee was not up to the job.

Free check are fine and paying for a trained and competent technician with all the gear and more than ideas to adjust is great.  Ones that know the correct numbers for the settings.   Free adjustment and no invoice / receipt or money in the tea tin is a job carried out without Insurance / guarantee or signature from whoever and hence no comeback.     

Go to proper places with alignment equipment with trained people.  Not just tracking checks by a 'fitter' who might have no experience or qualified / trained supervisor. 

Edited 17 December, 20214 yr by roottoot

I'd rather pay for a recommended alignment specialist to carry out the works and insist on a before and after printout of the geometry.

 

Incorrect alignment can destroy how the car drives as well as ruin tyres and stress components.

 

 

 

I agree, my nearest tyre chain, who are now owned by Halfords, has a Hunter machine, but on questioning, no-one on site was trained to use it .... 

 

Check who has the kit on www.alignmycar.co.uk 

Thanks for all your comments. I was leaning towards getting the garage that does the regular servicing take a look at it and your views made the decision easy.  It's now booked in for next week so fingers crossed it's no more than a tweak to the alignment.