Kwik Fit Free Alignment check

[squarehead94]

Hi all. I did mention about this on another thread but thought it may warrant its own thread.

So i have some outer tread wear on my NSF tyre and a bit on the OSF too. not as bad as the NS mind. So it doesnt feel like theres a knocking, or any clicking etc and having had a real close look my steering wheel is a tiny bit off centre when driving straight so I am assuming it will be tracking.

I've never used Kwik Fit in my life, however they do a free alignment check (and I wouldn't be buying anything from them - don't mind dealing with the hard sell - will just say its the wifes car, and im awaiting 2 new tyres fitted just wanted to check the alignment on my day off etc)

my real question is is it worth doing when A. ill be getting 2 new tyres done and not sure if tracking is usually required after this, and B. would they just lie anyway even if my alignment was fine and tell me its miles out etc. or would i get some print out or something showing where its out etc. I have never paid attention when I have had my cars tracked before, which has been rare anyway. Just wondering if its worth bothering or just cancelling the appt I have with them.

TIA

[steveo3002]

they have a reputation for being a lying bunch of xxxx's

might sort it out , might make up a pack of lies depending on who works on the car , why not pay a few quid at somewhere trusted and have them diagnose whats up ?

[rxe]

They jacked my Alfasud up by the sump. Never again will I darken their door.

[LordGrover]

Watch the N&S rules...

[M12MTR]

Avoid. Simple.

[Boobonman]

Just don't.

They quoted a colleague for 4x tyres recently, and when he got there they jacked his car up and put the price up by £100. He got the same tyres elsewhere for just under half the price.

[Lincsls1]

Reading your post, you definitely have a tracking problem of some sort.
Normally, if you are just replacing old tyres that had worn 'reasonably' evenly then tracking is not normally required, however yours don't sound evenly worn.
Something isn't quite right, doesn't mean its serious. Could simply be the tracking or a wearing suspension component.
I'd let them do a free check, what have you got to lose? Make them show you any problems.
FWIW, my local branch have been spot on with me, no hard sell or miss selling.

[JmatthewB]

I imagine Kwik Fit have the skill of being able to tell that you need four new tyres by just looking at one tyre.

[_Mja_]

I used the offer on my old nail expecting an proper alignment check but all it was is a check of the track rods.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Boobonman said:

Just don't.

They quoted a colleague for 4x tyres recently, and when he got there they jacked his car up and put the price up by £100. He got the same tyres elsewhere for just under half the price.

I ran a price this week for two tyres.

The price

Plus £30 for fitting and parts(!)

Then £15 for express fitting.


I decided against them.

I still remember the MOT on mint Subaru where I checked all the lights just before. It failed on a rear light bulb - £10.

[sherman]

Had 4 new tyres fitted by them at what used to be their head office branch in Edinburgh. It has a training academy bit too.
4 new tyres goodyear f1 and a free alignment check done on a hunter alignment machine all for just over £400. A very good service. It does vary from branch to branch though.

Kwikfit are fine for fitting consumable bits exhausts, tyres, pads, batteries etc. I would never let them near anything technical like servicing or even an MOT as they will find something to upsell you.

[Chubbyross]

I have nothing against them but I’d only ever use them to fit tyres to my family battle bus. For my other cars I’d go to specialists.

[steveo3002]

if its killing one tyre only id say camber issue (not all garages check this or if they do wont adjust it ) or something bent on the suspension

[Maxym]

I suspect you will get the hard sell and they'll other things that 'should' be done. I asked them to check/correct the tracking on my Fiat 500 and after I left it with them it took three calls from them to establish that yes I just wanted that done and no I didn't want any of the other work or tyre replacements.

I wouldn't use again.

[kalniel]

My local kwik-fit has a hunter four wheel so I don't mind looking at what it says - more often than not that means taking a photo of the screen as they never have any paper in the printer.

Then I decide if I want something done about it another time.

[BIRMA]

I must admit on the whole I avoid them, but ages and ages go they were doing an air-con check my bargain barge air-con wasn't working properly. So I booked it in and they said it needed filling so for £49 I asked them to do it. They filled it and it still didn't work and the manager didn't charge me as it didn't seem to work. Anyway I took the car along to my usual air-con guy (best in South Coast but was on holiday at time of going to KwiK Fit) and he reported it was full but they didn't go into the software/OBD and turn it on. Serves them right really.

[d_a_n1979]

steveo3002 said:

they have a reputation for being a lying bunch of xxxx's

might sort it out , might make up a pack of lies depending on who works on the car , why not pay a few quid at somewhere trusted and have them diagnose whats up ?

My pal went there with his car the last time they had this offer on

The car had just undergone a major fully OEM Honda suspension rebuild (CTR); all new Honda rubber parts, suspension, top mounts etc and then set up perfectly to Honda's specs. It was an import CTR in White; but other than that, nothing different to a UK car

All work done and set up done by one of the UKs best Honda specialists

Took it to Kwik Fit and apparently it'd need a few hours to sort due to seized bolts and the fine tuning it'd need...

[anonymous-user]

I've also been somewhat sceptical about 'free checks' being just an opportunity to flog you something you don't need.

However, many years ago I had the steering rack replaced on a Rover SD1 by a garage who had no alignment facilities - other than a pair of experienced eyes. There was a branch of Halfords close by offering free tracking checks so I called in. Fifteen minutes later the manager returned saying "it's spot-on, sir" - after recovering from the shock, I left with my wallet unopened!

[Baskey]

I now only use my local kwickfit for tyres, something I never thought I would say.

If you pre order the tyres online they are cheaper than anyone else, you can book an exact time slot and the chaps in this branch are professional and do a good job. Iv never had them try to upsell me anything.

[Rawhide]

Ive had nothing but good service from my local Kwik fit.

I don't really like the fact they put it on hunter without asking after fitting tyres but I watch them do it and the machine does not lie.

After you see the results the motivation is high to get it aligned which is I'm sure why they do it. However after they've been uncomfortable about their ability to not break a corroded bolt on the rear they have aligned my car perfectly FOC so I can't really complain.

You can always say no after they have done the free check.