Shocking garage experience

lordrobs · 27 May 2016 at 10:24

Jamesyboyjim said:
What is it with garages ragging the hell out of peoples cars?! My bog standard 1.4 Seat Ibiza went to a garage for a new timing belt / water pump, they picked it up and dropped it back to me in a courteous and timely manner, but my fuel had gone down loads in the space of the day and my mpg was sitting in the 20's (I can easily get 40 - 47mpg out of it, that's why I bought it) which tells tales of that poor little 1.4 engine being mistreated!

Although still unacceptable, you can sort of understand it if its a fast or sporty car, but not a standard 1.4!!! I'd be looking to name and shame if I were you mate.

That will have sat for ages idling making sure there was no air in the cooling system. They may have also disconnected the battery wiping the short term data. The road test, judging by my experience of most garages, would have been nothing more than a spin around the block or doing the lunch run to the local shop.

OP - I would mention the footage and your dissatisfaction to the garage and give them one shot at putting things right. If they fail I'd just expose them as much as you can. Owners clubs, Google reviews, Facebook, Twitter the lot. It may be harsh but they obviously have no respect for their customers so those customers deserve a heads up.

Firestar_3x · 27 May 2016 at 10:33

Skillmister said:
That's awesome.

What car is it?

For all those with VAG cars you can do this with a Revo SPS.

Skilid · 27 May 2016 at 10:45

I'm uploading the video to YouTube but not making it public, purely so I can show them.

I've informed them that I would like to speak to the manager but he isn't calling me back until I send proof. I've had several conversations with them complaining about how late they were so they probably just think I'm a problem customer.

I didn't think to put valet mode on my car before sending it to them. They come across as a very reputable company, but obviously that is not the case.

OspreyO · 27 May 2016 at 10:50

Getting to be that a GPS tracker is needed for car servicing. Sad.

gord · 27 May 2016 at 10:51

They fiddled with the dash cam? Because they didn't see it before ragging it and then tried to cover it up?

Skilid · 27 May 2016 at 11:29

gord said:
They fiddled with the dash cam? Because they didn't see it before ragging it and then tried to cover it up?

They were fiddling with it before they drove it. Maybe they thought they had turned it off?

I have sent an email to the manager in charge with a link to the video. If he does not resolve the problem then I will share the link with you guys.

Thanks for your help.

LiE · 27 May 2016 at 11:29

What are you hoping him to do?

Skilid · 27 May 2016 at 11:43

At least give me some form of compensation for the multiple failings over the last 3 weeks. I've been repeatedly lied to, the car was 2 weeks late, delivered with the wrong gearbox oil in, my emails and calls went unanswered and the car was thrashed on public roads.

Skilid · 27 May 2016 at 12:18

Short version: https://youtu.be/YrR6EHpZ4No

Flack88 · 27 May 2016 at 12:30

This is exactly why I hate garages. Nail them for it! Sadly some of the people in garages have the IQ of a bean.

Kaeo · 27 May 2016 at 12:31

At first I was like ..eh it's not that bad, then he came off the roundabout and was all over the lanes over/undertaking way over speed limits. Name and shame and post it everywhere tbh. Screw them.

Skillmister · 27 May 2016 at 12:36

1:48 wow. See what you mean about the 'brap brap'

Clearly thought the dash cam was off.

Had potential to write your car off if someone had pulled out of one of those back lanes while he was doing silly speed

Flack88 · 27 May 2016 at 12:36

Kaeo said:
At first I was like ..eh it's not that bad, then he came off the roundabout and was all over the lanes over/undertaking way over speed limits. Name and shame and post it everywhere tbh. Screw them.

Its a complete abuse of trust. Naming and shaming is the best as hopefully it will stop people from using them in the future.

Skillmister said:
1:48 wow. See what you mean about the 'brap brap'

Clearly thought the dash cam was off

As I said, IQ of a bean.

Nathan · 27 May 2016 at 12:36

fair few traffic offences on that video. Make an appointment with local police station, I wouldn't mind investigating something like that. What an absolute ****.

Dup · 27 May 2016 at 12:37

Id be sending it to the police for the silly speeding too. Sure they wouldn't mind popping around to the garage to ask questions. Driver is eaisly idenifyable by his voice and you see two other people who clearly weren't driving. Wouldn't take much to work it out.

Wish dashcams becoming so popular garages will get rise to this. I'm tempted to discreetly add one into the insides of my rear view mirror for a more discreet install. Deffo hardwide any cam I get mind you too.

I wouldn't begrudge anyone having a quick feel of the power of a nice car if I had one, but to drive like that, nah, they need telling!

Flack88 · 27 May 2016 at 12:39

Dup said:
Id be sending it to the police for the silly speeding too. Sure they wouldn't mind popping around to the garage to ask questions.

Wish dashcams becoming so popular garages will get rise to this. I'm tempted to discreetly add one into the insides of my rear view mirror for a more discreet install. Deffo hardwide any cam I get mind you too.

I wouldn't begrudge anyone having a quick feel of the power of a nice car if I had one, but to drive like that, nah, they need telling!

Yeah and nailing the engine from cold makes me cringe, especially with a turbo!

Nasher · 27 May 2016 at 12:44

Isn't this taking the vehicle without consent (i.e theft)? It's supposed to be with the garage, not using it as his personal ride for a couple of days. You didn't give permission for that.

Go to town on the garage then take the footage to the police.

Jamesyboyjim · 27 May 2016 at 12:45

That video is a disgrace! for all you know you know there's a few speeding tickets in the post too! I think if you mention that you also have plenty of evidence to report the driver for dangerous driving, will report them to trading standards and also contact watchdog they will have to take you seriously.

slick rick · 27 May 2016 at 12:48

Disgusting behavior. I hate garages with a passion and will do my best to DIY any job I can on the car to avoid having anything to do with idiots like this, but most people do not have the time, space or desire to do so and therefore are having to trust these muppets with their vehicle. :mad:

"it's sick init blud, turbo cuz ragzin it rudeboi blah blah blah" - idiots!

Take them down!

Burnsy2023 · 27 May 2016 at 12:55

Nasher said:
Isn't this taking the vehicle without consent (i.e theft)? It's supposed to be with the garage, not using it as his personal ride for a couple of days. You didn't give permission for that.

Go to town on the garage then take the footage to the police.

TWOC and theft are different and this doesn't really fit either of them.