Supplied parts not fitted by mechanic
Supplied parts not fitted by mechanic
Author
Discussion

Patrick Bateman

Original Poster:

13,160 posts

203 months

Never been had this happen but it just raises doubt for me.

Supplied a genuine Renault oil filter for getting my Clio serviced last week and I've just now noticed there's a Mann one fitted.

I'm not sure what the reasoning could be as Clio 182's aren't exactly ten a penny any more so it's not like he's going through these filters every day and just grabbed one off the shelf.

The Mann one looks fresh but I can't even be certain he's changed it at all, I don't think they tend to get particular grubby and there's no signs of slight oil marks down the side of the block I'd expect to see after removing an old one. The oil had probably done 4k miles and was still golden so I can't rule out he just thought fk it, the old filter will be fine.

How do you broach that subject with a mechanic you've used for 4 years without sounding accusatory straight off the bat?

Peterpetrole

1,758 posts

26 months

Well, er, where's the filter you gave him then? Ask him if he didn't like it.

Trevor555

5,415 posts

113 months

Most workshops will write on the invoice "fitted customer suplied" for any parts you give them.

Each time I've experienced something like this the workshop said "Oh, the mechanic was leaving, in his last week working here, sorry"

Patrick Bateman

Original Poster:

13,160 posts

203 months

I've supplied most of my parts here in the past, it's a one man band so there's none of that.

Jo-say8k

320 posts

45 months

Peterpetrole said:
Well, er, where's the filter you gave him then? Ask him if he didn't like it.
This really, say you noticed he'd used a Mann filter and ask if there was a problem with the Renault one?
As regards the drips etc, some people do clean up after themselves wink

Robertb

3,840 posts

267 months

It may be a change in policy/liability insurance... garages can be funny about fitting customer supplied parts due to potential liability.

I'd ask the question, don't see why it would cause offense.

Patrick Bateman

Original Poster:

13,160 posts

203 months

Jo-say8k said:
This really, say you noticed he'd used a Mann filter and ask if there was a problem with the Renault one?
As regards the drips etc, some people do clean up after themselves wink
Cheers I'll go with this when he's back from his holiday.

It's definitely nothing to do with liability as I'm supplying rear discs and pads for its MOT retest next week.

gotoPzero

20,694 posts

218 months

Could be the supplied one was wrong, or leaked or the thread looked iffy or whatever.
Obviously weird he did not mention it though, maybe just forgot.

When I used an indy for my classic car any parts I supplied were noted on the invoice with £0.00 next to them for record keeping.
The old part which came off was always in a box or bag in the footwell. I found that a bit weird but apparently they prefer to do this with customer supplied parts in case of any complaints down the road.

Glassman

24,948 posts

244 months

Patrick Bateman said:
How do you broach that subject with a mechanic you've used for 4 years without sounding accusatory straight off the bat?
Just be straight up. Something like, 'was there an issue with the filter I supplied?'

SS427 Camaro

8,554 posts

199 months

Nothing wrong what so ever with an Man filter, top quality.

Renault dont make filters, they are made by an outside company, possibly Man etc

I also have a long term 182 that is ( until the RTA in May ) my daily ( had 3 of them ) i run it on the filters that Halfords sell, Crossland, again good quality

Patrick Bateman

Original Poster:

13,160 posts

203 months

My issue isn't with a Mann filter.

I know it didn't have a Renault filter before the service, it could well have been Mann but I can't remember. The point is I expect to see a Renault filter I supplied so when I don't it raises the question of is it the same filter I'd seen before.

If there was an issue with the one I supplied I'd expect to be charged for it and I've not.

Tighnamara

2,826 posts

182 months

Are you sure the filter fitted is not the one you provided, looking on internet there is a high likelihood Mann type could have been provided by yourself, unless you checked and it wasn’t a Mann filter in the box.

“While Purflux was the primary assembly-line supplier when the Clio 182 was first launched, Renault currently sources parts for their official dealership inventory from both Purflux and Mann-Filter”

Sounds as though you have a good relationship with the garage, tread carefully so as not to accuse him…….sounds unlikely he has used a filter of his own and not said anything.

Patrick Bateman

Original Poster:

13,160 posts

203 months

Yeah I physically checked it when I bought it, the Renault ones are a dark blue and are clearly 'Renault', bought from Kam Racing-



I took a photo and looking at this properly, I'd expect these indents to be cleaner than they are given it was serviced a week ago and has done about 25 miles-


Lincsls1

4,074 posts

169 months

^^^ Sadly, I agree. Doesn't look like a brand-new filter.

_Rodders_

4,195 posts

48 months

SS427 Camaro said:
Nothing wrong what so ever with an Man filter, top quality.

Renault dont make filters, they are made by an outside company, possibly Man etc

I also have a long term 182 that is ( until the RTA in May ) my daily ( had 3 of them ) i run it on the filters that Halfords sell, Crossland, again good quality
That's what I was thinking, Mann is about as good as it gets so it's not like they've used an inferior part.

Just about any other brand and I'd be more concerned.

_Rodders_

4,195 posts

48 months

Oh yes just seen the picture. Seems unlikely that's new.

There's a cobweb on it for a start.

Lincsls1

4,074 posts

169 months

Awkward conversation to be had.
Have had it myself, a few years back. Supplied expensive preformed OEM water hoses, and my mechanic used 'off a roll' generic stuff that didn't quite fit and leaked. My parts were still sat on his desk.
He sheepishly corrected his mistake whilst I stood and watched. biglaugh

Patrick Bateman

Original Poster:

13,160 posts

203 months

FWIW it's a dandelion seed rather than a cobweb...

Lincsls1

4,074 posts

169 months

Patrick Bateman said:
FWIW it's a dandelion seed rather than a cobweb...
Ah, that's ok then. Must be a new filter after all. biglaugh
Seriously though, doesn't look shiny new to me.
Maybe just suggest that he has forgotten to change the oil, as the old filter is still on the car. And that it needs doing with the genuine filter that you supplied. Could be a genuine forgetful mistake. And maybe politely suggest he double checks other parts of the service that were supposed to be done.

Tighnamara

2,826 posts

182 months

Ah OK, ignore me smile

Looks like it hasn’t been changed, disappointing after using the garage for 4 years……….not sure how he could miss changing a filter especially if given one to use.