Have I been ripped off?

[bullerboY]

We can only assume that you haven't bothered to actually read the OP.

 

So now the OP is lying about the main dealer changing the pads and discs when they were only changed a year and 13k miles before.

 

Do you rip people off by lying about what work is needed?

First of all do not assume that i have not read the post and secondly you really ought to listen to the voice of experience i actually ran my own successful garage business for 26yrs and held senior positions in a few main dealers and smaller garages and yes i ran an HONEST business and people who know me know that and i had a large repeat customer base so whats your claim to fame come on tell us all we cant wait.you people really p me off on here,armchair machanics ugh!.

[Just Sarah]

I had something similar (but worse!)with the garage near Graves Park (Waggon and Horses?). Never went back again!

 

On Derbyshire lane by any chance?

[retired]

Is it an automatic? I had a Rover 800 what had a new set of discs and pads fitted at the main dealer. 8000 miles later in what was mainly City traffic the brake light comes on and then the next a grinding noise. The pads was down to steel!

 

Had other automatics since but used to down shift for engine braking, just this Rover with the pads lasting no time at all.

 

My current Vauxhall went into Pentagon with 19000 on the clock and they said I needed new pads. £145! Not going there again! I can get the car serviced for that.

[Cyclone]

First of all do not assume that i have not read the post

It's the way in which you made assumptions about things the OP was saying, when he wasn't, and ignored what he actually said!

and secondly you really ought to listen to the voice of experience i actually ran my own successful garage business for 26yrs and held senior positions in a few main dealers and smaller garages and yes i ran an HONEST business and people who know me know that and i had a large repeat customer base so whats your claim to fame come on tell us all we cant wait.you people really p me off on here,armchair machanics ugh!.

 

So because you ran an honest business you're claiming that all garages are honest?

I don't claim to be a mechanic, didn't suggest it and didn't imply it. I did, unlike you, actually read what the OP had written.

 

For example

 

people want it cheap and then when it goes wrong they moan

Nothing to do with the OP at all. He's asking if the dealer is pulling a fast one by claiming that he needs new disks after they were changed only 13k miles ago, the answer is almost certainly yes.

[L00b]

He's asking if the dealer is pulling a fast one by claiming that he needs new disks after they were changed only 13k miles ago, the answer is almost certainly yes.

It's likely to vary according to driving style of course, but I agree.

 

My MX5 has 80kmiles on from new, nearly 15 years ago now.

 

In that time (well, since 14 kmiles when we bought it 13 years ago), the discs have only ever been changed once, at 46kmiles approx. And that's because I asked them to be, not because they necessarily needed to be (car had been stood for 2 years, I got most wear parts changed: all belts, all fluids, all discs, all pads, 4 tyres, sparks, filters).

 

That's "despite" me asking, every time it's ever been in for a service (twice a year, at MOT time and a 'wintering' small one), to check them and whether they need changing.

 

I've not always gone to the same garage, either - over the years it's been serviced here (main dealer until 2003, then same specialist MX5motors since 2008 until this July), in Ireland (main dealer 2004, 2005) and in France (main dealer 2007).

 

Just changed garage this July (not a reflection on MX5motors at all). Again, only pads, discs are still good (around 30kmiles on them by last count).

 

Then again, I don't brake much in every day use, and very rarely 'hard', as I use engine braking a lot.

[Gleadly]

Hi,

 

I had to have my car serviced and MOT'd a week or so ago. I used the main dealer as I usually do.

 

Now last year on my MOT as an advisary they said my car would need new brake pads and discs on all 4. It wasnt a failure, just an advisary.

 

As they were quoting a lot to do the work I got it done elsewhere a week later.

 

Now last week when my car was MOT'd they said I needed new pads and discs on the front? Surely that can't be right? I have only done 13,000 miles since they were last replaced. My problem was that I was working in Brum so couldnt go in and look.

I have asked them to give me the old discs back but I can't be sure they were even mine.

 

Surely brake discs should last longer than 1 year/13,000 miles?

 

What does the MOT cert state about the brakes?

I'm not suggesting that any fiddling is going on but the cert should show if the brakes are up to standard.

 

We are all aware that fiddling does go on, be it in a very few instances, and this could be in ANY garage regardless of its reputation.

 

I know I may be talking out of my posterior, but can these machines be tweaked to give an adverse reading?

BTW All I know about cars is how to drive them - awfully.

[Jogeekaden]

I think the dealers are more on the cautious side and don't give as much given wear on brake pads, as same thing happened to me rip off un expensive too

[Cyclone]

It's not just pads we're talking about though, discs should outlast pads many times.

[andygenovese]

It seems to me that brake discs are a very "typical" repair request at MOT tests!

Maybe because they think it is quite difficult for the customer to check them!

[geared]

I know I may be talking out of my posterior, but can these machines be tweaked to give an adverse reading?

BTW All I know about cars is how to drive them - awfully.

 

Depends on the machine, older ones give a readout that the operator has to type into a computer.

 

You can see how the results can be tweaked on that system.