Complaints about garage repairs and servicing are nearly top of the Trading Standards Office hit list. Overcharging, replacing parts not required and charging for parts not fitted is not uncommon.Knowing how to avoid a garage rip-off, pass an MOT first time or knowing how to check a vehicle part is actually faulty before it is replaced can avoid a small fortune on unnecessary repair bills.
Mail order specialist, Car Parts Direct provides information on its website to help motorists avoid a garage rip-off and pass an MOT first time. Online videos show how to check if a part is faulty before replacing – all the information is free.
Suggestions include making a scratch mark on the old parts that are supposed to be replaced so you know the parts have actually been changed – not just cleaned. At MOT time beware of using a garage that also carries out repairs - they may look for unnecessary work. Online videos show how to check for worn shock absorbers, brakes and other common failure parts.
Mark Cornwall from Car Parts Direct is well experienced in dealing with, what he refers to as ‘greedy and unscrupulous garages’. He claims his own vehicle was towed in to a franchised dealership following a recent breakdown. He was quoted a whacking £4,376 to repair his vehicle. He immediately had a second opinion and the vehicle was back on the road for £36.25. No parts were required – just a clean of electrical contacts.
Mark Cornwall said, “Trust your instincts, get quotes in writing before having any work carried out and use a garage or tradesman that is recommended. Recognising the honest mechanic from the rogue is not easy - it really is worth learning a little about car maintenance to avoid becoming a victim.”
With garage labour rates ranging from around £35 to over a £100 an hour another alternative is to carry out a service or repair yourself. According to Car Parts Direct more motorists now choose to buy their own car parts online and either carry out the repair or arrange for a garage or friend to do the work at a fixed price – making substantial savings on the cost of vehicle maintenance.
Suggestions include making a scratch mark on the old parts that are supposed to be replaced so you know the parts have actually been changed – not just cleaned. At MOT time beware of using a garage that also carries out repairs - they may look for unnecessary work. Online videos show how to check for worn shock absorbers, brakes and other common failure parts.
Mark Cornwall from Car Parts Direct is well experienced in dealing with, what he refers to as ‘greedy and unscrupulous garages’. He claims his own vehicle was towed in to a franchised dealership following a recent breakdown. He was quoted a whacking £4,376 to repair his vehicle. He immediately had a second opinion and the vehicle was back on the road for £36.25. No parts were required – just a clean of electrical contacts.
Mark Cornwall said, “Trust your instincts, get quotes in writing before having any work carried out and use a garage or tradesman that is recommended. Recognising the honest mechanic from the rogue is not easy - it really is worth learning a little about car maintenance to avoid becoming a victim.”
With garage labour rates ranging from around £35 to over a £100 an hour another alternative is to carry out a service or repair yourself. According to Car Parts Direct more motorists now choose to buy their own car parts online and either carry out the repair or arrange for a garage or friend to do the work at a fixed price – making substantial savings on the cost of vehicle maintenance.
No comments:
Post a Comment