Halfords Autocentre (Tigers Way)

[Buce]

 

Just a heads-up for anyone who may be thinking of using them.

 

Last week, I took my car in for a full service; during the course of the service, I was called and advised that I needed urgent work on my brakes (front and rear), my suspension, a rear tyre needed replacing, and a light was defective, which they quoted over £800 to fix. Because I was sceptical, I declined to have the work done, and have today submitted it for its MOT (elsewhere) as planned. Not only did it pass but it did so with no advisories whatsoever. I double checked with the tester and was told everything is in perfect condition. Well, these crooks have picked the wrong person to attempt to defraud - I have just lodged an official complaint with Halfords' head office. Has anyone else had a similar experience with them?

Edited 22 May 2018 by Buce

[Milo]

Well done for not shelling out, most people rarely question it - keep us posted with Halfords reply. 

[Buce]

 

Will do.

 

A bit of digging online is showing up a number of similar complaints, so hopefully, something will be done about it. One guy is claiming that while he waited in reception for his car, he witnessed the manager make several phone calls telling people pretty much the same as I was told. Another had the same experience as me - told that his brakes were fvcked, afterwards passing the MOT with no advisories. He guessed they were lying because he'd only had new discs a couple of months prior to it.

 

It seems that the manager may be on the fiddle.

Edited 22 May 2018 by Buce

[Bellend Sebastian]

I'm probably being unfair on some perfectly reputable businesses, but I'd avoid any chain garages like the plague.

 

I've heard of the exact same sort of things happening at the local branches of at least two other national garage companies.

 

Find a decent independent by word of mouth and stick with them. Being signed up to the Good Garage scheme is a good sign of intent at least, if not a guarantee of competence

 

 

[RoboFox]

Willy pullers.

 

MOT & services are an absolute nightmare. I for one don't know my arse from my elbow when it comes to cars, and living in London and driving an old banger I'm paranoid about having some crook pull a fast one on me (so to speak)

 

So I opt to take it back to a local garage in the 'shire I've used since my very first car... Guaranteed good service, price and I don't get shafted. Bit of a journey and I usually have to take a day off work, but it's worth it.

[Saxondale]

These chain fast fit centres are all the same, because of the way they're run. The branch managers are incentivised on the branch's profit and, ergo, to pull in as much work as possible. Some will go to greater lengths than others to pull in the work.

 

As a general rule, if a fast fit centre says work needs doing = it doesn't need doing.

 

Brakes, tyres etc. can be check yourself with almost no mechanical knowledge. If they're trying to claim that something else needs doing (e.g. exhaust, suspension components), ask them to show you the affected component - and be prepared to dismiss their explanation of the problem as potential BS. 

[Bryn]

The way I feel about going to a mechanic makes me understand why people are skeptical about doctors and why it's so critical that we're monitored so aggressively. I know **** all about cars and could be so easily ripped off because I don't know how to refute their claims and just want to be safe. I hate taking my car in.

[Costock_Fox]

1 hour ago, Buce said:

 

Just a heads-up for anyone who may be thinking of using them.

 

Last week, I took my car in for a full service; during the course of the service, I was called and advised that I needed urgent work on my brakes (front and rear), my suspension, a rear tyre needed replacing, and a light was defective, which they quoted over £800 to fix. Because I was sceptical, I declined to have the work done, and have today submitted it for its MOT (elsewhere) as planned. Not only did it pass but it did so with no advisories whatsoever. I double checked with the tester and was told everything is in perfect condition. Well, these crooks have picked the wrong person to attempt to defraud - I have just lodged an official complaint with Halfords' head office. Has anyone else had a similar experience with them?

 

I've had the same from a Halfords in Nottingham, avoid at all costs.

[TheUltimateWinner]

Echo the same as the posters above, find a good local garage and gain a rapport with them.

 

I’ve also heard bad things about halford auto centres for getting ripped off. I also had an expensive visit to a formula one auto centre on my first ever MOT after passing as they had a special offer on. Never been back since and not had any problems with my cars at my local garage that I take it to now.

[Tuna]

I recently had a similar experience with Evans Halshaw, was quoted over £1,000 to fix various faults on mot including an srs warning light, got it tested elsewhere, passed with one advisory.

 

How exactly does an advisory simply "disappear" in the space of 5 days? It was either there or it wasn't. Makes you wonder what's really going on.

 

 

[Babylon]

2 hours ago, Buce said:

 

Just a heads-up for anyone who may be thinking of using them.

 

Last week, I took my car in for a full service; during the course of the service, I was called and advised that I needed urgent work on my brakes (front and rear), my suspension, a rear tyre needed replacing, and a light was defective, which they quoted over £800 to fix. Because I was sceptical, I declined to have the work done, and have today submitted it for its MOT (elsewhere) as planned. Not only did it pass but it did so with no advisories whatsoever. I double checked with the tester and was told everything is in perfect condition. Well, these crooks have picked the wrong person to attempt to defraud - I have just lodged an official complaint with Halfords' head office. Has anyone else had a similar experience with them?

 

So many of them do it, usually brakes. Going for £800 worth is stupid on their part if they are trying to Rob people as people are more likely to question it. Ford on Welford road have tried it on with me a number of times. Telling me I need to get my brakes changed, I said I'd come back another time and checked them myself and they were absolutely fine. Car ran for another two years after that and on the next two MOT's they said nothing about brakes, even though they were the same ones.

 

I swear if you just accept anything they say and ask them to do it, you get flagged as someone who they can tap up.

[yorkie1999]

It's not just places like halfords. I had a mot on a bmw the other week at bmw, which was it's first mot, passed with no advisories, which i'd expect seeing as the car has only got 14000 miles on the clock, they even sent me a video telling me the wear levels of various bits. A week later i had to take it in for an end of warranty check up and all of a sudden i've got advisories on tyres, brake pads, windshield wipers, and i'm thinking Blimey, you lot should talk to each other if you're going to try and chisel your customers. 

[Milo]

3 hours ago, Bellend Sebastian said:

I'm probably being unfair on some perfectly reputable businesses, but I'd avoid any chain garages like the plague.

 

I've heard of the exact same sort of things happening at the local branches of at least two other national garage companies.

 

Find a decent independent by word of mouth and stick with them. Being signed up to the Good Garage scheme is a good sign of intent at least, if not a guarantee of competence

 

 

To be fair - I've had good dealings with my local ATS - they seem pretty decent. I have been in a couple of times with a suspected puncture and they've checked, pumped the tyres up and done some re-allignment stuff free of charge. Also bought a rear wheel arch off ebay and they fit it for £20.

[Izzy]

I got two tyres replaced at a small independent place down here recently.

 

I told them I usually go to Kwik Fit but felt they were too expensive so tried this new place instead.

 

The lad who dealt with me told me he recently left that Kwik Fit because the Manager there got sacked for doing exactly what's been described on here.

 

Looks like they're all at it!!

[Buce]

 

I too know next to nothing about cars, but I do have one tip to offer: have your car's MOT done at a dedicated testing station that doesn't do repairs because that way they have no incentive to fail you.

 

I use the Council's testing station: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/transport-and-street-licences-and-permits/vehicle-testing-and-weighbridges/

[Strokes]

4 hours ago, Buce said:

 

Just a heads-up for anyone who may be thinking of using them.

 

Last week, I took my car in for a full service; during the course of the service, I was called and advised that I needed urgent work on my brakes (front and rear), my suspension, a rear tyre needed replacing, and a light was defective, which they quoted over £800 to fix. Because I was sceptical, I declined to have the work done, and have today submitted it for its MOT (elsewhere) as planned. Not only did it pass but it did so with no advisories whatsoever. I double checked with the tester and was told everything is in perfect condition. Well, these crooks have picked the wrong person to attempt to defraud - I have just lodged an official complaint with Halfords' head office. Has anyone else had a similar experience with them?

 

Yeah we had similar with Halfords (Loughborough) December. We took our car for an MOT, the picked up all round brake pads. I was dubious because the car only had 14,000 miles on it and was under warranty still. So I took it back to the dealer for a service and to check Halfords findings. It was bullshit. So I got it MOT’d elsewhere no problems. I never did get around to following it up though.

[Buce]

6 minutes ago, Strokes said:

Yeah we had similar with Halfords (Loughborough) December. We took our car for an MOT, the picked up all round brake pads. I was dubious because the car only had 14,000 miles on it and was under warranty still. So I took it back to the dealer for a service and to check Halfords findings. It was bullshit. So I got it MOT’d elsewhere no problems. I never did get around to following it up though.

2

 

I think they bank on that, mate, but I'm not letting it drop; they tried to defraud me, and I'm fvcking furious.

[Strokes]

22 minutes ago, Buce said:

 

I think they bank on that, mate, but I'm not letting it drop; they tried to defraud me, and I'm fvcking furious.

No I wish I had of done, unfortunately I was so busy I forgot all about it. In fact I hadn’t thought of until I seen this thread. Good luck, I hope you cause them some serious grief.

[Legend_in_blue]

The MOT test centre and garage on Aylestone Road is brilliant.  The small place just past the tyre centre on the left as you go into town.  Go there.

 

As for tyres, Oadby Tyres is the place to go.

 

 

Edited 22 May 2018 by Legend_in_blue

[RODNEY FERNIO]

Got charged a fair whack by these characters just to change a light bulb on my front lights.

My fault  was not to get a price beforehand and

for being too lazy to do it myself .. which I was perfectly capable of.

Hey ho .. you live and learn.

[Trav Le Bleu]

6 hours ago, Bryn said:

The way I feel about going to a mechanic makes me understand why people are skeptical about doctors and why it's so critical that we're monitored so aggressively. I know **** all about cars and could be so easily ripped off because I don't know how to refute their claims and just want to be safe. I hate taking my car in.

I doubt a doctor's going to get extra money from telling you need new brakes, suspension and a tyre.

[potter3]

1 hour ago, RODNEY FERNIO said:

Got charged a fair whack by these characters just to change a light bulb on my front lights.

My fault  was not to get a price beforehand and

for being too lazy to do it myself .. which I was perfectly capable of.

Hey ho .. you live and learn.

I thought the stores (not the garages) just charged a flat fiver or tenner or whatever for bulbs.

 

 

3 hours ago, Buce said:

 

I too know next to nothing about cars, but I do have one tip to offer: have your car's MOT done at a dedicated testing station that doesn't do repairs because that way they have no incentive to fail you.

 

I use the Council's testing station: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/business/licences-and-permits/transport-and-street-licences-and-permits/vehicle-testing-and-weighbridges/

 

Though with the new rules coming in I don't believe you'd legally be allowed to drive it elsewhere to get repaired if it has a 'dangerous' fault or any 'major' fault that make it unroadworthy.

[Buce]

Just now, potter3 said:

 

Though with the new rules coming in I don't believe you'd legally be allowed to drive it elsewhere to get repaired if it has a 'dangerous' fault or any 'major' fault that make it unroadworthy.

 

 

I think maybe you'd be able to justify calling the AA/RAC to tow you to a garage?

 

 

[fuchsntf]

They are all a mixed Bunch of Arthur Daleys ,and Boycies,with a Sprinkling of del Boy.

ITS sad ,but since leaving, the UK I have come accusstomed when Returning,every small/big Business

seems to want a piece of you. Management incentive schemes,thought Up by Pirates....

Car Specialists,some unqualified builders and Estate agents,seem to of gone to the Same University.

Cowboys and 3_card Trick Specialists though are Everywhere,including in Politics.

Straight Up Honesty seems to be a Fading trait...

 

That Said,in 25yrs in Germany/France I Personally have had good Garages/Handler/mechanics,who when a Problem AS cropped Up,Been phoned before Further Work was done,and then shown,then discussed,even

in cases of Drive ins ,when underway.Some even making Updates,minor adjustments/repairs for a

Nominal charge,even Free.

 

 

 

 

Edited 22 May 2018 by fuchsntf

[SystonFox]

Halfrauds.

 

i get my car MOT’d at a place in Beaumont leys who only does MOT. No need for him to fail it for no reason he won’t gain anything from it so he’s always honest. Been going to him for years, on that estate that’s now got marks electrical on it used to be artisan press.

 

Independents for the win