Are the works really needed?

[sethlj]

I bet we have all been there - your car is in for a service at a reputable dealer and they come back saying the service is done but there is some bad news.

Its usually followed by something like 'there is a slight leak in the clutch slave cylinder' or 'the pads are starting to break up' or 'that rattle is inside the silencer'.

This inevitably leads to bits being replaced and a large bill.

How can you really be sure if the works are needed if there was nothing apparently wrong before the car went in?

Any tips such as inspecting the removed parts or second opinions?

S.

PS - I guess its down to trust in the end - but are all dealers ?

[simpo two]

You could go along and ask them to show you the problem?

[m142 yum]

I think it's as you say trust in the garage and inspecting the parts they have removed against the new ones on the car. i.e if you have a wishbone or pads replaced ask to see the old parts and check them against the new ones. I guess this is harder when you are talking about internal parts such as clutch, bearings etc.

[sethlj]

Too far away - the car is collected and delivered so I never get to see the whites of their eyes.