Kwik(Frauds)Fit experience

Bluemarlin · June 29, 2023

There are certain jobs, like a/c servicing, tyres, brakes, oil changes, MOTs etc, that almost anywhere can do, and don't require a Lexus dealer or specialist. As such, it's often cheaper and more convenent to use somehwere local.

In my experience it's best to avoid not only the big chains, but also anywhere you've never used before. It's far better to have a relationship with a local indendepent that you use regularly for such jobs. If you don't have one already, then start by finding one based on recommendations or reviews and try them out with simple/cheap things, like an interim oil change, until you trust them.

Although I get my car serviced by Lexus, I have a local garage that I've used for interim stuff on my last couple of cars, so know that they do a decent job and don't manufacture extra work. The pre warn me about any MOT stuff, and will ofen push it through if it's minor or 50/50, and are happy to just charge labour if I supply my own parts. Often though, it's not just about their ability, but also their attitude and willingness to do their best for you, so knowing they can be trusted to treat you fairly is priceless. Barring good fortune, that only comes by building a relationship.

They seem fairly priced, although there might be cheaper, but the peace of mind that comes from knowing the job will be done properly, and I won't get ripped off, is the most important thing.

runsgrateasanut · June 29, 2023

I think you should have sorted the Battery issue before taking the Car for A/C work. They have to consider that disconnecting a Battery can have consequences - loss of codes, ECU resetting etc., KF asked me for my mobile number before I walked away for an hour and I imagine they asked for yours, and so should have phoned you and said "no can do" until you sort the Battery issue so they can get easy access to the low port.

Linas.P · June 29, 2023

I would not call it a Battery "issue", the Battery was connected correctly, just the Battery cover was put on upside-down and I would not be surprised if that was the work of their colleagues in different branch, because I just can't see any reason why anyone would do that.

Now what you are saying is correct - disconnecting the Battery could cause error codes and things may need resetting, like seat memory, windows specifically in Lexus and other things, but none of them are something that autoservice wouldn't be able to do. In short all these things should be within their "competence/expertise". I mean literally - they should not only be confident doing it, they should be experts at doing it, because that is one of key services they are offering.

If for whatever reason they don't think they are competent of doing it, which would be extremely surprising considering that they sell and fit the batteries, then again you right - they probably should have called me and told me that they will be removing and refitting the Battery because it was fitted "incorrectly", or simply told me after the a/c service that they solved that issue "as a good will gesture". I would not expect that it would prevent them doing A/C service.

As very last resort - they could have informed me that they either need more time, or they were not able to do the work. Obviously, I would not be very happy, because that is again something that is clearly within their "expertise", but that would have been 1000 times better than lying and saying they did the job which they haven't done.

And they did have my mobile number and e-mail, so if they wanted they could have contacted me. Guy literally told me he will call me when work is done, but after 2h+ I decided to walk back, because he have not phoned me.

Linas.P · June 29, 2023

2 hours ago, Bluemarlin said:

There are certain jobs, like a/c servicing, tyres, brakes, oil changes, MOTs etc, that almost anywhere can do, and don't require a Lexus dealer or specialist. As such, it's often cheaper and more convenent to use somehwere local.

In my experience it's best to avoid not only the big chains, but also anywhere you've never used before. It's far better to have a relationship with a local indendepent that you use regularly for such jobs. If you don't have one already, then start by finding one based on recommendations or reviews and try them out with simple/cheap things, like an interim oil change, until you trust them.

Although I get my car serviced by Lexus, I have a local garage that I've used for interim stuff on my last couple of cars, so know that they do a decent job and don't manufacture extra work. The pre warn me about any MOT stuff, and will ofen push it through if it's minor or 50/50, and are happy to just charge labour if I supply my own parts. Often though, it's not just about their ability, but also their attitude and willingness to do their best for you, so knowing they can be trusted to treat you fairly is priceless. Barring good fortune, that only comes by building a relationship.

They seem fairly priced, although there might be cheaper, but the peace of mind that comes from knowing the job will be done properly, and I won't get ripped off, is the most important thing.

This is precisely what I do and what I recommend other to do as well. Independent for minor/interim works and general inspection, and Lexus for annual service and "stamp of approval". Ideally when I take car to Lexus I want to see clean sheet where all the statuses are marked "green".

The only issues that my independent garage cannot do two things - A/C service and Tyres fitting/Balancing/Alignment. Not that it is very difficult, but because they are rather small shop and both things would require £10,000 worth of equipment and space. Now in the past I have used ATS Euromasters for those two things as they had good alignment equipment and A/C station. Since then ATS Euromaster have closed and they had horrible reviews as well, but for what I used them I never had issues and they were certainly more professional than either Kwikfrauds or Halfrauds. I honestly would not use any of the three chain for anything more than fitting the tyres or A/C service.

My independent garage is not what I would call very good, but at least they are honest. If they don't know how to do something then they will tell me that they are not comfortable doing it or advise me other place to go to... and they never manufacture non-sense that doesn't need to be done, but likewise I am always present when they work on my car and I generally was satisfied with their service. Again they are not really mechanical experts, but for one they are probably 100 times more knowledgeable than kids working in chains and secondly they do honest work. If they can do it they do it, if they can't do it they say that they can't do it.

Linas.P · June 29, 2023

Good news - final piece of puzzle is not complete:

Quote

Thank you for patience in this matter.

I have now investigated this and can confirm that this fine was issued by the Council and is not parking a restriction enforced by us.

The fine advises a contravention on public highways.

However, I would be happy to refund you for this as a goodwill gesture.

In order to process this refund we will require the following details:

Name on card (debit card)

Sort code(6 digits)

Account number (8 digits)

Once we’ve received the above details we will process a bank transfer to your account which will take 3-5 business days.

I almost fell of the chair laughing... First of all - obviously the fine is not issued by them, why on earth they would issue the fine to themselves whilst working on the car.

Secondly, this "goodwill gesture" again... car was in their possession, they parked it incorrectly on "public highway" and it is good will gesture that they will pay for it?! Wow...

But anyway - fair enough, they paid back for service they didn't do, they paid back for fine that they got for me... no money out of my pocket, their customer service kind of sorted the mess so it is not all bad, just a little bit of wasted time.