Work done on car but not fixed problem

[Cavallino]

Hello folks,

Please bear with me on this one.

I have a 56 VW Passat which recently started to develop a humming noise that seemed to be coming from the front driver tyre area. At first I thought it was tyre pressures so checked that, nothing.

Took the car to a Kwik Fit and they said its the wheel bearing.

Took the car to a Halfords Autocentre, they said the same thing, so got the work done on the front right tyre.

Just a few weeks before this, the car developed a different fault (Engine light came on). Took it to VW, it was the intake manifold which needed to be replaced. Fair game, job done.

Now incidentally, the noise that I mentioned earlier was there before any of the aforementioned work was done.

At this point, the noise is still there... so took it back to Halfords and they took it out for a test and they were 99% certain its BOTH real wheel bearings.

So again asked them to do it.... but alas, the noise is still there.

Now I am lumbered with a £500 bill with Halfords for work which did not solve the problem in the first place and I am not sure if I have any leg to stand on with Halfords in that they didint fix the problem I brought the car in for ( even though they maintain that the wheel bearings needed changing but all 3 of them???)

Your input appreciated folks.

 

[Cavallino]

Ok thanks folks I just had this confirmed also by VW.
But where do I stand with Halfords and the original work they did which didnt solve the problem, do I have a leg to stand on in getting some of my money back since they didnt solve the problem I originally brought the car in for?

 

[Cavallino]

i think you can put that down to cars not being an exact science.

imagine you are presented with a pc that is being a bit glitchy/unstable. is it RAM, PSU, MB etc etc

certain issues cant be diagnosed 100%

Yes but once you diagnose the problem you charge for the relevant faulty parts,
You dont replace every component typically.

Also in my situation i took the car in twice and each time the fault was not solved so surely from my perspective I am charged and yet they did not solve the issue?

I was thinking the same! It's not often a solid cast lump of aluminium develops a fault?

The flap on the manifold siezed and does not open, and when they replaced the fuse the fuse would just blow out.

 

[Cavallino]

You agreed for the work to be done.

You could give it a try, might get a few quid knocked off out of goodwill.

Well I would agree with what your saying but if the work they did does not solve the problem then surely there is some grounds regardless of whether I agreed to the work?

 

[Cavallino]

Take your car to a reputable garage, the good ones will show you how they reach their diagnosis.

Hindsight

 

[Cavallino]

I presume you've already paid?

I'd speak to the service manager of the halfords branch first, explain you aren't happy at their failure to diagnose the fault and spending your money randomly changing parts until they find the right one isn't acceptable business practise.

Suggest they give you a credit equal to the value of the labour and any mark-up on parts (i.e. they do it at cost).

If he refuses put your complain and offer in writing.

If it is refused or ignored then open a claim at money claim online.

I don't know if you'll win or if they'd settle - it could end up being a huge pain in the rear for a small amount of money.

Honestly I'd suck it up and as bledd says, take it to a garage you trust in future but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks for your input Telescopi. Yes I have already paid (after said work was completed). Yes I did consider just sucking it up as you say.

But even if I get some money out of it its better than nothing.

My discussions are with the branch manager concerning the problem and actually he's such a nice guy which is a shame really.

But you never know, I will talk to them tomorrow about it and see what they say.

Thanks all for your inputs, greatly appreciated.

 

[Cavallino]

Just an update folks.
Went to Halfords this morning, bloke said he couldnt do anything with regards to the existing work, and after a long discussion and as a kind gesture he offered to replace both rear tyres for free of charge (Pirellis usually £150-£200 fitted each).

Told him that the tyres still have plenty of tread on them, so he made a note on the system (and showed it to me) and said I can come in whenever to get them done.

I think thats a fair outcome!

 

[Cavallino]

what so they have gave you free tyres and fitting? That is amazing if so!

Yep I checked that it was fitted for free and they said yes so I cant complain!
I also asked him if he could do Pirellis for me and he said yes, so I am happy with that.

Not going to leave it too long though just incase they "forget" even though they made a record of it on the system.

 

[Cavallino]

I hope you got that in writing

... so he made a note on the system (and showed it to me)