Kwik Fit - have they got better?!

[JD82]

Recently had 2 experiences with Kwik Fit, and both were largely decent (so far).

They found a slow puncture from a valve, and I watched them quite diligently clean the rim and take care fitting the tyre etc. No pressure lost since.

Then today they did 4 wheel alignment and appeared pretty competent, friendly and altogether a bit more professional. I played a bit dumb to see what sort of thing they said and nothing came up too concerning...

Appreciate they must vary by branch, but it's a long way from Kwik Fit in Acton 15 years or so back where they let me drive off with the top mount of the rear shock completely detached!!

Any others had decent experiences recently? Has something changed in management? Noticed they have an adjacent cycle repair service too.

[KaraK]

I've used them a couple of times over the last few years when I needed tires in a hurry and no complaints with my local branch, as competent and professional as I could have hoped for. Certainly not the Kwik Fit of 20 years ago in my experience.

[JQ]

I've never really had a bad experience with them. 5 years ago they were the cheapest supplier of tyres for my trackday car which had rather expensive alloys and they would swap the tyres with care. Had a puncture on my lease car last year and the recovery service took me to a KwikFit not local to me and again, good service at 4pm on a Friday. And my BiL had an issue with his aircon last weekend whilst visiting me - he booked it in with them on a Sunday and they sorted the problem without issue.

[SuperPav]

I’ve used two branches (company car), both seemed professional and competent enough. For anything non specialist I wouldn’t have any problem using them..

Obviously depends on the branch and who’s on the tools but even at an independent garage quality not always a given

[wyson]

Same, I’ve never had issues with Kwikfit for tyre replacements and puncture repairs.

I went in with UV cracked tyres, they told me they were perfectly safe. I changed them anyway because I didn’t like the look of them.

[Leveret]

I'm still influenced by their 'failing' my mechanically ignorant young son's old Xantia's emissions 20yrs ago and trying to charge him £400 plus labour for one of their products. I took it 2 miles to my trusted indy who easily passed it. I complained, and got MoT fee back. Apparently you could induce a 'failure', especially in cold weather, by warming the engine, then switching it off. After 10mins or so the engine is still warm enough for the emissions test record but the cat has cooled. Then you test it. I wonder if this is still possible?

[JD82]

Interesting... I was expecting a barrage of hatred!

Funnily enough my indie tyre place changed hands recently and they managed to not balance a wheel at all when fitting new tyres AND fit a directional tyre backwards...

[Every day a journey]

I've used kwik fit plenty of times over many years.

Never had an issue.

That said, I wouldn't have taken any of my cars for an MOT there.

[Ham_and_Jam]

Kwik Fit mobile tyre service is excellent.

I’ve never had a bad experience.

[MDT]

I have used the Kwik-Fit mobile tyre service, was cheapest for the tyres and I think it was free fitting if you booked them 2-3 days ahead and did not request a time slot. spot on and did a good job.

Popped a car in for an Air-Con re-gas and did not get any attempted "up-sell" of cleaning etc.

as others have said for a lot of small tasks they are a good choice.

[993BPT]

Used the local branch for brake disk replacement and MoT on the lease car. No issues and good service.
They seem to be busy, so often a few days wait to get booked in.

[soxboy]

Just used them to fit 4 tyres on the drive for my Boxster.

They were competitively priced for Bridgestones, with an offer of 15% off for 4 Bridgestones and also free driveway fitting if you ordered 4.

Easy ordering (especially as I had to rebook due to a lost locking wheel nut) and very helpful fitter, no attempts at any upsells or similar tactics.

[vikingaero]

We have 2 KFs in our town. The out of town one has so-so reputation, and the one slap bang in the town centre is great, especially as you can go and shop/eat whilst the car is being fixed.

I don't use them all the time, but sometimes they are the cheapest for certain tyres on certain cars. I also like their a/c service - no charge, no fee.

[LayZ]

My local branch (Lancaster) also always been fine when I've used them. That said, it has only been tyres or MoT.

[sam.rog]

The closes one to me do a good job changing tyres. Never damaged a wheel and never needed to go back due to balancing issues.

I don’t and wouldn’t use them for anything else though so can’t say either way.

[Glasgowrob]

had to use our local one for a puncture on the wifes Audi a couple of years back sidewall torn and no spare only the foam.


perhaps not the cheapest tyres i could have found with a bit of shopping but for a weekend issue no drama no hassle and locker put back in my hand afterwards which is always a comfort to know its there.

[Collectingbrass]

It depends on the branch. One near me did a stirling job on a tricky 4 wheel alignment, the other let me drive out with fractured brake lines without telling me. Fortunately I was going uphill when I found out.

I think if they didn't have the fleet volume they'd be in a much more precarious position as a brand.

[otolith]

They're a franchise, they've always been inconsistent. Some branches excellent, some not so much.

Read something the other day about them doing a four wheel alignment on a GR Yaris. It didn't drive right afterwards, when he checked the printout they had used the geometry settings for the Verso hybrid. When queried, they said it was the same chassis. He did get a refund and got it done correctly somewhere else.

[ArmaghMan]

Another vote of support.
Use Portadown branch for the company car.
Absolutely grand.
Even more so considering the idiots they have to deal with at our leasing company!!

[TimmyMallett]

I think Halfords has probably taken the crown from them now.

Given how much I suspect they make from contracts with lease companies and company cars I suspect they can't afford to get it horribly wrong nationally.